How are you really? Wellness Concordia wants to know

By Shelagh Peden, Human Resources & Employee Relations

Most people, when asked, "How are you?" respond with the word, "Fine." Usually, it's not just the question that gets a perfunctory answer, it's our own wellbeing that seems to fall to the bottom of the to-do list.

Since the 1980s, people across North America have become aware of their wellbeing and how it affects other aspects of their lives. Now companies and organizations are getting into the mix, since it's been proven that programs designed to help employees make better lifestyle changes tend to have a positive impact on the organization's bottom line. It also creates a much better working environment.

The buzzword is wellness.

At Concordia, a group of caring individuals decided to tackle the whole issue of "wellness" head on. The results are Wellness Concordia, a group of individuals from around the university who are working on centralizing resources that contribute to employee and student wellness, and "Making Time for Us," two weeks of wellness activities to get the ball rolling.

Beginning May 9, activities will be held in various locations around both SGW and Loyola campuses that are sure to interest you. From career advising to financial workshops and from art appreciation to wine tasting, there's bound to be something for everyone.

Wellness Concordia has the participation of such departments as Health Services, Human Resources & Employee Relations, Recreation and Athletics, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), the Ellen Art Gallery, the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy and Continuing Education, just to name a few.

Each department will contribute to the Concordia community's wellbeing in their own way. The Ellen Gallery will show us how art appreciation can contribute positively to our lives, and Recreation plans to show how yoga and other physical activities can reduce the effects of stress. Continuing Education will offer one-time courses on such subjects as personal financial management, and on how laws affect you.

Two JMSB professors, Tracy Hecht and Kathleen Boies, will be performing a Wellness survey. It is your chance to tell us how you find wellness in your life, which may help others find wellness in their lives. The survey will be found on the Wellness website.

Also on the Wellness site, you'll find the Resources page. Any time you're feeling lost and don't know where to turn, try this page:
http://wellness.concordia.ca/resources. It's organized into four categories: Taking Care of Business, Family Life, Community Life, and On the Road to Adventure.

You'll also find out which departments at Concordia are able to assist you in any way. If you think something is missing, by all means, let us know.

On the Wellness site, you can submit your own wellness tips to share with your colleagues and friends.

From May 9 to 20, the Making Time for Us wellness fair will be held across campus in many locations.

Be sure to check out the program to see what events interest you most. There will be much more to come. We hope to see you there.