April 2022
April Focus – Cultivating Positivity: The Grass is Green Where You Water it
Many of us have heard the saying, “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence”. This phrase reminds us to challenge our tendency to compare ourselves to others and assume they have it better. Comparisons can often make us feel worse about our situation. Continuing with the metaphor, if you really want “greener grass”, take care of your lawn. Instead of looking at what other people have, take care of what you have, and watch it flourish.
Appreciating and caring for what we have starts with challenging our negative perceptions and cultivating a positive mindset. We often hear people being described as positive or negative. However, the truth is that a positive mindset is a choice that we make every moment, not an innate trait. Although it is challenging, you have the power to change your attitude, and committing to this change can lead you to a happier, more successful life.
When we maintain a positive mindset, we’re able to take in information more easily, reach our goals faster, find meaning and purpose in life, and build better relationships. That said, positivity isn’t just wearing rose-colored glasses all the time and ignoring reality. It’s learning how to shift your perspective by doing something – big or small – that not only makes life look a little sunnier but also makes you feel better every day.
So, how do we cultivate a positive mindset? Explore this page of resources and April wellness offerings to discover several strategies, such as helping in your community, adopting a regular gratitude practice, boosting your confidence, and sharpening your emotional and social intelligence skills. In addition to the offerings on this page, don’t forget to join us for the April session of Mindful Mondays, which will have a gratitude focus.
April Presentations |
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| Learn strategies for creating and maintaining healthy habits straight from the experts. Browse our April webinars below. These sessions are open to all full and part time employees. For those participating in the wellness rewards program, each session is worth 10 Tier 2 points. | ||
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Wednesday 12-1 p.m. IN-PERSON Lunch and Learn |
Get Acquainted with SPIN eBikes and eScooters Kent State University partners with SPIN to provide shared eBikes and eScooters, which became available March 2022 on the Kent Campus and within the City of Kent for use by faculty/staff, students, and the community. Join Employee Wellness and representatives from SPIN to learn all about this new program, including how to download and use the SPIN app, how to check out, use, and return an eBike or eScooter, pricing structure, safety considerations, and more. Register to attend "Get Acquainted with SPIN eBikes and eScooters" |
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Thursday 12-1 p.m. Webinar |
Confidence NOW! Join Ria Dark for this powerful presentation, which is designed to help participants develop stronger esteem by sharing ideas and challenging the voices that may keep them from fully showing up at the table. |
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Tuesday 9-10:30 a.m. Webinar |
Financial Wellness: Social Security & Your Retirement This webinar, presented by Sean Deasy, VALIC Senior Financial Advisor, will discuss the role of Social Security in retirement planning and the effect of the Windfall Elimination and Government Offset Provision as it relates to OPERS/STRS. Sean will cover the costs associated with retirement, as well as help attendees calculate the amount of income they will need and how social security fits in to their overall retirement income plan. |
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Thursday 12-1 p.m. Webinar |
The Amazing Benefits of Gratitude Journaling Keeping a daily journal of things that you are thankful for helps to elevate mood, increase optimism, alleviate depression, and cope with grief. Attendees of this webinar will learn how to start a journal and what to include. Our presenter, Judith Eugene, will also discuss Mindfulness Meditation, as it ties into observing and finding things to be grateful for in the world around us. Register to attend "The Amazing Benefits of Gratitude Journaling" |
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Tuesday 12-1 p.m. Webinar |
Develop People Smarts-Emotional and Social Intelligence for Greater Success Part of success is learning to interact effectively with others. By improving skills such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management skills, we can maximize our successes in our interpersonal interactions with others and thus improve the quality of our relationships and life-satisfaction. Join Adam Feiner to learn how we can continue to develop our emotional and social intelligence into adulthood. Register to attend "Develop People Smarts-Emotional and Social Intelligence for Greater Success" |
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Gratitude Graffiti |
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Practicing gratitude is one of the most reliable methods for increasing happiness and life satisfaction. For the sixth consecutive year, Kent State will participate in the Gratitude Graffiti Project, a practice of purposeful reflection and appreciation expressed through interactive art. For the first three years, you likely saw poster boards filled of colorful post-it notes with sentiments of gratitude and window displays reflecting window chalk expressions of thankfulness across all KSU campuses. In 2020, Gratitude Graffiti went virtual, and we continue that this year. Click here to learn more and add to our virtual gratitude boards during the month of April. |
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Wellable Gratitude Challenge |
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The expression of gratitude doesn’t just feel good, it has a profound effect on health, happiness, and overall well-being. In addition to daily physical activity tracking, the Wellable Gratitude challenge provides an opportunity for participants to flex their gratitude muscles by developing the important skill of being grateful and incorporating it in everyday life. |
Weight Management Programs
For some people, weight management programs provide the consistent support and community that they need to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle long-term. Did you know that employees can earn Tier 2 points for participating in a weight management program of their choosing? Select “Read more” for information on choosing a safe weight management program, discounts on WW (Weight Watchers), and how to track your participation to earn Tier 2 points.
Walk & Talk: Ecosystems
Join Employee Wellness for a walk & talk on October 7 to explore different ecosystems and wildlife habitats on the Kent campus with Kent State’s Outreach Recycling Coordinator, Leah Graham.
Learn more and register for the Ecosystems Walk and Talk
Kent State Farmers’ Market
Kent State University has partnered with Haymaker Farmers' Market bring an on-campus farmers' market experience. The market offers over 20 vendors offering locally sourced fresh produce, crafts, and more to the Kent State community. Stop by the Student Green on Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 4-7 p.m. to meet vendors, shop, and enjoy! The markets are open to all employees, students, and community members.