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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
H E A LT H
& wellness
Getting back into a routine of wellness BY SUZANNE MCINTOSH
T
he Wellness Committee was hard at work throughout the summer months, planning our Wellness programs and goals for the next three years. Committee members attended a Wellness Planning Retreat in July – we got off campus for a half-day – where we reviewed the Wellness Vision and Mission Statement. We asked questions such as, “Should we be changing our focus and what are our next steps?” We also had the opportunity to learn how to play disc golf from Dan Berte (Risk and Safety Services) and Dr. Jon Doan (Kinesiology). It was a bit of a challenge to get that disc into the target but proved to be lots of fun! We have been working closely with Alberta Health Services on their Workplace Health Improvement Project (WHIP). The U of L has been chosen to partner with Alberta Health, other employers and the government to enhance our efforts towards effective workplace health improvement. In the meantime, it is that time of year again where
we get back to school, back to work and back to routines that hopefully include wellness and fitness. Have you ever noticed that when you are in a routine, things just seem to flow easier? Although summer is one of my favorite months, I tend to go to the gym sporadically and eating healthy seems to fall by the wayside. If you are having a hard time getting back into your healthy routines, here are a few suggestions and activities that will help get you back on track. Health Check for U This is a great way to assess your general health status, and help you set some manageable health or fitness goals. We still have room for participants. Contact wellness@ uleth.ca for more information or to register. If you have been through the program before, feel free to come back and have a second or third screening. This is also a great way to find out if your past goals are being met. This service is free to U of L employees. Ergonomic assessment Poor office set up and
poor posture while working long hours at the computer is a recipe for pain and discomfort, as well as longer-term health issues. Some of the problems that can arise are: neck and upper back pain, pain and numbness down the arm, fatigue and headaches. Here is a link to simple ergonomic adjustments you can make yourself (www. wcb.ab.ca/pdfs/public/office_ergo.pdf). You can also contact me to set up an office assessment. It only takes about 30 minutes and can stop problems before they start. Stretching Take a few minutes throughout your day to stretch. The U of L Stretch and Strengthen program has been designed with U in mind (www.uleth.ca/hum/wellness/ PDF/Stretch_and_Strengthen_Program092410.pdf). The benefits of stretching include improved fitness and health, improved productivity and morale, improved job satisfaction and reduced stress and back injuries. Fun run Sign up for the Get to Know U 5K Fun Run, Satur-
day, Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. The cost is $15 per person and includes post-run refreshments, a souvenir and a chance to win great prizes. All proceeds go to KidSport Alberta. Dr. Jennifer Copeland (kinesiology) has designed a training plan to be able to run/walk the 5K in a month. See www.uleth.ca/ hum/wellness for copies of the plan. Lunch and Learn The first two Lunch and Learn sessions are on tap this month. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Society (DHHS) will be on campus Tuesday, Sept. 20 to present How to Work and Interact with Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The session is at 11 a.m. in D633. Financial Health and Wellness is the focus of the Thursday, Sept. 22 session. It runs from noon to 1 p.m. in AH100. As always, I look forward to any comments, suggestions or questions. Suzanne McIntosh is the wellness co-ordinator for the University of Lethbridge
HONORARY DEGREE NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR SPRING AND FALL 2012 The University of Lethbridge Senate is collecting nominations for the Spring and Fall 2012 Honorary Degrees, and is appealing to southern Alberta community groups to nominate individuals who have made a local, regional or worldwide impact on society. “Our honorary degrees act as a mirror. We’re looking to show the face of the region, the nation and the international community by honoring the best of what people give to their fellow human beings,” says Alex Hann, Chair of the Honorary Degree Search Committee. “Our recipients are those people who work hard to
make a difference, through involvement in the community and charitable organizations. These extraordinary individuals are a vital part of the convocation process, as they celebrate alongside our own graduands and show them what is possible for those who seek to make the world a better place.”
ALUMS BRING COMEDIC PLAY TO LETHBRIDGE
Story to Lethbridge Sept. 17, a show that will play at the Sterndale Bennett Theatre. The Accidental Humour Co. is a theatre company founded by U of L alumni that has been producing hilarious plays over recent years that have had audiences in stitches. Brent Felzien (BFA ’06), Wil-
A group of eight University of Lethbridge alumni is bringing Cowboy: A Cowboy
“Our recipients are those people who work hard to make a difference.”
The University will honour two individuals at the Fall Convocation ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 15. They are from vastly different walks of life, but share a common interest in helping people. Dr. John Kloppenborg, who works on the origins of Gospel narratives in the New Testament, has fundamentally reshaped New Testament studies and the history of early Christianity. He will be honoured along with Lethbridge resident George Gemer, who survived World War II prisoner of war camps to become a skilled draftsman and internationally acclaimed track and field coach and official.
To be eligible for Spring and Fall 2012 Convocations, nominations must be received by Nov. 1, 2011 at the University Senate Office (A767), 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4. To obtain a nomination form, please call the Senate Office at 403-329-2482. The University of Lethbridge Senate selects recipients from nominations provided by members of the general public and the University community. The Senate is empowered to confer honorary degrees by the Universities Act of Alberta. Additional information is available at the Senate website: http://www.uleth.ca/sen
lie Banfield (BFA ’06), Kim Stadelmann (BFA ’06), Neil LeGrandeur (BFA ’06), Cliff Kelly (BFA ’06), Frazer Andrews (BFA ’06), Jeremy Mason (BFA ’05) and Neil James (BFA ’04) make up Accidental Humour Co. Cowboy: A Cowboy Story recently appeared at the
Edmonton Fringe Festival and played to sold out crowds. It also received four and fivestar reviews from critics. The play appears at the Sterndale Bennett Theatre for one night only, Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Ticket Centre or by calling 403-329-7328.
ALEX HANN
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the Legend HEALTH CENTRE PLAYS VITAL ROLE IN MAINTAINING A SAFE AND CARING ENVIRONMENT BY LORI WEBER Occasionally I am asked, “Why is there a Health Centre on campus?” Given that I don’t mind talking about my favourite issue of health, I am only too glad to provide an answer! The focus on one’s personal health and fostering a sense of community health is very important within a university setting. In order to be able to focus on the demands of academia, learning and living, health concerns need to be addressed. The on campus University of Lethbridge Health Centre provides pro-active health education, on-site medical services, first aid co-ordination and assistance with health insurance to students, staff and faculty. The Health Centre also provides an opportunity for its clients, which are primarily students, to be able to deal with their health issues in a safe and caring environment. The Health Centre provides appointments with physicians for any health concern and yearly physicals Monday through Friday during the academic year. In a time when finding a family physician is increasingly difficult and walk-in clinics can be extremely busy, the Health Centre provides much needed medical services. A student has only to call 403-329-2484 or visit SU 020 to make an appointment. The Health Centre also provides psychiatrist services (physician specialists who focus on mental health) to students who need to focus on a previously diagnosed mental health issue or are searching for solutions to existing symptoms. Our chiropractor has been here for 12 years and provides chiropractic services; as well, massage therapists provide registered massage therapy services several times per week. The nurses at the Health Centre are kept busy with health education, health assessments and first aid/immediate care health needs. We also assist with referrals to off-campus medical services. The Health Centre exists to assist people with their health issues so that they have the energy to live each day to the fullest. Health is a balance of the physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual aspects of a person’s life. If you would like to find out more about the Health Centre and its services or how we could assist you, please talk to us or pick up a health services booklet at the Health Centre or at the pamphlet racks around campus. Or, just give me a call at 403-3292483. Have a safe and healthy fall semester. Lori Weber is the manager of the University of Lethbridge Health Centre