UBC Faculty of Education Staff Wellness Afternoon 2021

Learn to shift your energy and focus on self-compassion with this very relevant session!

There are many things we don’t have control over - as the ever-evolving situation with COVID-19 has made abundantly clear. This loss of control often leaves us anxious, stressed, and unsettled. We may perceive ourselves as being ineffective and unproductive when we’re in constant “reaction” mode. If left unchecked, we may use unhealthy strategies to cope and find ourselves exhausted. But, what if we were to focus more on the things we do have control over? And, do so with immense self-compassion?

Shifting our attention and energy on what we can control takes practice. It also helps us sharpen our influence, strengthen our adaptability muscles, and create a sense of calm and gratitude. Join us in this interactive online workshop to explore what is within our control and identify practical strategies for leveraging this for greater wellbeing as we transition back to campus for September.

By the end of our time together, you will be able to:
1. Describe the connection between a sense of control and our wellbeing
2. Practice shifting our focus from what we cannot control to what we can
3. Identify one area to practice the reframe strategy with goal to improve your own wellbeing

Host: Deb Chen (view Deb's bio here).

Deb integrates her perspectives as an educator, facilitator, trainer, and instructional designer to create process-driven learning experiences for higher education, nonprofit, and healthcare clients. She also worked in the field of mental health, supporting suicide prevention and crisis intervention services over 8 years. Deb is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and holds a PhD in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine from UBC.

Join your colleagues for a virtual yoga session!

Led by one of UBC Recreation’s Fitness instructors, Tomomi Okada, the afternoon’s practice will be about finding the balance and the neutral position between opposites. Tomomi believes yoga is a path of peacemaking and is looking forward to meeting everyone on the yoga mat!

For this session, please bring a yoga mat or towel, water bottle, and any yoga accessories that you may wish to use to help you in your practice (yoga blocks, strap, bolster/cushion)

Host: Tomomi Okada (UBC Recreation Fitness Instructor)

Do you know all the things? Come and find out!

Sports, pop culture, movies, general knowledge, and more! Come and join the fun of trivia. Prizes are waiting for you.

Host: Michael Wilkinson (staff, DNSO)

Need we say more than bannock and jam?

This afternoon we will be making two very simple recipes – bannock and jam. Bannock only requires flour, salt, baking powder and butter and use of an the oven. For the jam, you will need strawberries, sugar and lemon juice. Detailed recipes and shopping instructions will be sent to all registrants prior to the event, along with a $10 gift card to Save-on-Foods.

Host: Peyvand Fralick (staff, Office of Indigenous Education)

Put your drawing skills to the test!

Virtual Pictionary! Draw and guess with this interactive, multi-player, online Pictionary game. Each game consists of several rounds in which each player draws a secret chosen word and other players guess the word to gain points. The player with the most points wins.

Host: Milena Constanda (staff, PDCE)

Practice meditation and mindfulness

Have you been wanting to improve your practices and skills when it comes to meditation and mindfulness? Then, this workshop is for you! Jessica Kelly will lead the group through breath work practices, meditation exercise, and finish off the introspective virtual workshop with a practice of deep relaxation.

Jessica Kelly (view Jessica's bio here).

Walk among the trees!

The Greenheart TreeWalk will spark your adventurous spirit as you navigate suspended walkways and tree platforms high above the forest floor.

Located in the heart of UBC Botanical Garden, the 310 metre-long tree top canopy walkway hangs from huge Douglas firs, cedars and grand firs, many of which are over 100 years old. Reaching a height of nearly 20 metres above the forest floor, the walkway will give you a bird’s eye view of Vancouver’s magnificent coastal temperate rainforest. More information can be found on the Botanical Garden site.

Host: UBC Botanical Gardens

Go for a bike tour around campus with an experienced host!

We will be providing HOPR bikes for those interested, or you can bring your own bike. Participants will meet on campus at the Neville Scarfe Building, and will end back at this same location at the end of the tour. This session will operate at a "beginner" ability level with very little elevation, so if you'd like to try, we encourage you to register!

You can view the exact route you'll be taking. The ride will take roughly 45 minutes to complete, including a few stops. Please bring a helmet if you are bringing your own bike, as well as a water bottle and anything else to make you comfortable for the ride.

Host: Tyrone Siglos (find our more about his recent triple Everest challenge).