March 2022
Sleep and Your Health
Getting enough high-quality sleep may be as important to health and well-being as nutrition and physical activity, but sometimes the pace of modern life barely allows us time to stop and rest. It can make getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis seem like a dream. Adequate sleep is essential for brain processing, tissue repair, immune system functioning, metabolism, and more. On the other hand, not getting enough quality, consistent sleep increases a person’s risk of developing medical conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Unfortunately, sleep is often one of the first things to go when people feel limited on time. Our fast-paced world has led many to view sleep as a luxury and believe the benefits of limiting the hours they spend asleep outweigh the costs. The good news is, we can take control over our sleep habits. Sleep experts say there is ample evidence to show that when people get the sleep they need, they will not only feel better, but will also increase their odds of living healthier, more productive lives.
If you want to learn how to prioritize sleep in your life, Employee Wellness is here to support you with programming designed to help you do just that. In particular, we encourage you to join the two webinars this month that focus on the relationship between sleep and weight and mindfulness exercises to promote rest. If you are interested in working one-on-one with a mindfulness coach or an expert in the area of healthy sleep, call your Impact Solutions Employee Assistance program at 800-227-6007. To explore mindfulness apps that may aid in winding down at the end of a busy day, visit this page.
March Presentations |
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| Learn strategies for creating and maintaining healthy habits straight from the experts. Browse our March 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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The Impact of Sleep on Your Weight Tuesday |
What goes into a good night's sleep? The amount of sleep we get daily can have a direct impact on our weight. Join Keith Zimcosky, Exercise Physiologist, as he reviews the health benefits that are associated with a good night's sleep and the steps we can take to ensure we sleep well each night. |
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Financial Wellness: Retirement Saving Thursday |
After the global pandemic has disrupted people’s lives, finances are the top cause of employee stress - above job, health, and relationship stress combined. Securian Financial, Kent State’s life insurance provider, wants to empower you with information to help your overall financial picture, both at and outside of work. Join Securian to discover steps to help save for your retirement from your 20s into your 60s and how to stay on track. Don’t let your finances keep you up at night. |
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Take a Tour of Impact Solutions-Your Employee Assistance & Work/Life Program Tuesday |
Impact Solutions Employee Assistance & Work/Life Program provides a wide array of resources and services to Kent State employees and their families. All employees, household members, dependents in and away from home, and parents/parents-in-law are eligible to use any of these services. Come take a virtual tour with our account manager, Alan Gecht, MA, LPCC, to learn more about some of Impact's features, including the MyLifeExpert member portal, TESS-an artificial intelligence chatbot, and Telemental health services. |
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Mindful Exercises for Restful Sleep Tuesday |
If you find yourself feeling alert in the middle of the night, exhausted during the day, or overwhelmed by your attempts to get more or better sleep, this webinar covers practical tools to help. It goes beyond the typical sleep hygiene tips you’re likely already familiar with by sharing creative ways to apply mindfulness to this widespread challenge. Join mindfulness guru, Daron Larson, to learn a counterintuitive goal to help you call off the battle with unwanted alertness. Register to attend Mindful Exercises for Restful Sleep Make sure to also catch this month’s session of Mindful Mondays with Daron on March 7! |
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Kent State Farmers' Market |
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The Kent campus farmers’ market returns for spring! Kent State University has partnered with Haymaker Farmers' Market bring an on-campus farmers' market experience. The fall markets were a great success, with over 20 vendors offering locally sourced fresh produce, crafts, and more to the Kent State community. Stop by the Design Innovation Hub on Tuesday, March 22, from 4-7 p.m. to meet vendors, shop, and enjoy! The markets are open to all employees, students, and community members. |
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Wellness Your Way Category
Did you know that there is a Tier 2 category called “Wellness Your Way” that encourages participants to describe a wellness activity of their choosing that is not captured by another category and earn points? Examples include training for a 5K, daily meditation, team sports/intramurals, and weekly lunchtime walks.