Home / Human Resources / Benefits / Wellness

Human Resources

Office of Human Resources

Wellness Resources

Mark your calendar for a free webcast, "Better Together: The Power of Community for a Better Work-Life Blend," at 3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 6, 2023.

Smoking Cessation Program

State of MD Department of Health's smoking cessation program: www.SmokingStopsHere.com

Wellness Webinars

This month, we begin the "Back to Basics Activity Challenge" on 3/6, a new fun activity challenge that rewards you for moving your body - perfect for Spring! Aligned with the new challenge, our Thursday webinars will focus on the magic of activities like walking, strength training, and stretching. On Wednesdays, our very own Amy Hatfield, R.D. kicks off the "Meal Prepping Made Easy" series. Mindful Mondays introduce a self-compassion series, Tuesday Wellness from the Kitchen offers tasty spring meals that are healthy and easy, and our new "Money Matters monthly series kicks off with "Tax Strategies Workshop" on March 7. Lastly, we double up on Unwind Time Fridays to give you two opportunities to unwind at the end of the week - 11 am and 1 pm. Get all the details below!

A fun, new challenge starts March 6!

It's time to wake up our bodies as we get back to the basics of moving in this fun challenge! The "Back to Basics Activity Challenge" goal is to accumulate at least 50,000 steps a week over 4 weeks, from 3/6 through 4/3, for a grand total of 200,000 steps. You can record your steps when walking is your chosen activity and enjoy other activities like biking, swimming, and dancing - they count, too, because it's easy to convert activity minutes to steps using the step converter on the challenge portal. This encourages you to mix it up - we promise no boredom in this challenge! The fun continues because you can form teams with your besties and coworkers. Meet other participants when you engage in the "Join the Conversation" section to share tips and learn from each other. Each week that you participate in conversations you will be entered into a raffle for $25 gift cards. Complete the 4-week challenge and get entered again in a final raffle for $25 gift cards!

Ready to join? It's easy - simply follow these instructions: Please click on the

button on the mymdwellnesschallenge.com log in screen. If you participated in the My MD Wellness Challenges in the past, log in with the email and password you used to initially register. If you've forgotten your password, no worries - it's easy to reset. If you don't have an account, please enter your email in "I need an Account" and complete the signup screen. Then you're ready to start moving!

NEW! Your Money Matters Series

Introducing the "Your Money Matters" series, a monthly offering that features topics that are important to you, such as Women and Investing, Building Wealth in the Black Community, Planning with Pride, the Parent Guide to Kids and Money, the basics of Social Security, and much more.

3/7, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Tax Strategies Workshop - The Basics and Beyond

While some tax strategies are easy to accomplish, others may take some planning. That’s why we’re pleased to offer MetLife’s Tax Strategies: The Basics and Beyond workshop, where you will learn about tax planning steps, including tax basics, diversification, cutting your tax bill and when to call a professional.

Mindful Mondays: The Self-Compassion Series

NEW! Use this link to sign up for one, two, or all Mindful Monday "Self-Compassion" sessions!

Monday, 3/6, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: What is Self Compassion?

Self-compassion is being kind and understanding to ourselves when we fail, make mistakes, or feel inadequate. We give ourselves support and encouragement, not judgement and criticism, when challenges and difficulties arise in our lives. Because being self-critical can be an automatic response, and even a mindset, learning more about self-compassion can help change our responses.

Monday, 3/13, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Self-Appreciation

Self-appreciation comes with compassion and self-reflection. We're often more likely to notice someone else's good qualities, appreciate their growth, adore their quirks, console them, understand their reasons, and remind them of their goodness than we are for our own selves. Let's change that!

Monday, 3/20, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Embracing the Good

Embracing the good is the practice of accepting things willingly and enthusiastically. This includes ourselves! Learn how embracing the good in ourselves is part of the practice of self-compassion.

Monday, 3/27, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Self-Compassion and Self-Forgiveness

Self-forgiveness acts to soothe our body, mind, and soul from the pain caused by shame and facilitates the overall healing process. Many people experience a lot of resistance to the idea of self-forgiveness. There is a process of forgiving ourselves, and a foundation of self-compassions facilitates this process. Learn more about the benefits and process of self-forgiveness.

Tuesday Wellness From the Kitchen: Spring Into Flavor!

3/14, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Flavor is King: How To Flavor Your Food

Flavoring food is an important kitchen skill and your taste buds are your best guide. Learn how to give them a flavor burst and train your palate to enjoy a variety of natural flavors. Register here

3/21, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Scallops and Rice Noodle Salad

Pan-seared scallops are super easy and super delicious any night of the week - and suitable for special occasions, too! You’re going to love the scallops paired with this gingered rice noodle salad. Register here

3/28, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Vietnamese Summer Rolls

These fabulously tasty and fun Summer Rolls with a peanut dipping sauce are perfect for a quick weeknight meal – no cooking required! Register here

Wednesday Healthy U Series: Meal Prepping Made Easy!

HealthyU

NEW! Use this link to sign up for one, two, or all Healthy U "Meal Planning Made Easy" webinars!

Wednesday, 3/8, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Meal Prepping Made Easy - Balanced Breakfasts and Snacks

Meal planning is a great skill to make healthy eating more attainable and fun. Learn about components of balanced breakfasts and snacks with strategies to fit a variety of lifestyles and preferences and hear fun recipe ideas.

Wednesday, 3/15, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Meal Prepping Made Easy - Balanced Lunches and Dinners

For many of us, lunch and dinner are our heavier meals, which means we can make a large impact on our overall nutrition by planning and eating healthier at these meals. Learn about components of balanced lunches and dinners, different meal-prepping methods, and strategies that fit your lifestyles and preferences. You'll hear ways to make your meal planning goals more realistic and attainable. We will explore real food examples and fun recipe ideas.

Wednesday, 3/22, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Meal Prepping Made Easy - Veggies Made Delicious!

Everyone knows that eating vegetables is good for our health because they reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, yet it can be hard to get the recommended servings each day. In this webinar, we'll explore different strategies to incorporate vegetables in creative, fun, and delicious ways.

Wednesday, 3/29, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Meal Prepping Made Easy - Strategies for Picky Eaters

Do you have a picky eater in your family, or are you the one limited in your food preferences? In this webinar, you will learn creative, fun, and delicious ways to try different foods - no pressure attached!

Health Promotion Thursdays: The Magic of Movement!

NEW! Use this link to sign up for one, two, or four of the Health Promotion Thursday "The Magic of Movement" Webinars! (note, 3/9 has a separate link)

Thursday, 3/2, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: The Surprising Benefits of Being Active

Being active has well-known benefits, such as aiding weight management, preventing diabetes, and managing blood pressure levels. A few lesser well-known benefits are: it's good for your brain, might help you get happier, can slow down the aging process, and can improve your skin appearance! Join this webinar to hear new research on additional benefits of being active.

Thursday, 3/9, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Get Moving!

Now that you have learned the surprising benefits of being active, you may wonder how to start moving. In this webinar, you'll learn easy and realistic ways to fit more activity in your busy life and hear a review of different types of physical activity - including dancing in your living room! Register here

Thursday, 3/16, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: The Magic of Walking

The magic of walking includes greater mental and emotional clarity, improved physical strength and stamina, and a connection with nature when walking outdoors. This all happens because walking allows the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s command center, to dial down and rest, like an overused muscle - just what's needed at if walking at the end of the day! Learn more about the great benefits of walking and how to start or safely increase a walking program.

Thursday, 3/23, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: The Magic of Strength Training

Whether you're new to strength training, or a serious gym rat, this webinar has information for you. You'll hear about the benefits of strength training (in addition to looking and feeling good!) and how to strength train safely. P.S. - no gym required!

Thursday, 3/30, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: The Magic of Stretching

Stretching is important for everyone - whether you exercise regularly or just sit too much! There are safe stretches for you and not-so-safe ones to avoid, plus a formula for stretching called FITM (frequency, intensity, time, and mode). Learn stretching basics so that your stretches are effective and safe. You'll even learn stretches that you can do while working!

Unwind Time Fridays - Now Twice on Fridays!

Register for 11:00 am sessions here

Register for 1:00 pm sessions here

Friday, 3/3, 11:00 am - 11:15 am and 1:00 pm - 1:15 pm: Daily Practice for Love and Happiness Meditation

Each day it is helpful to remember that we all want the same things - happiness, love, and connection. In this meditation, you will focus on cherishing yourself and others.

Friday, 3/10, 11:00 am - 11:15 am and 1:00 pm - 1:15 pm: Puppies Meditation

Just thinking about puppies can be relaxing! In this meditation, you will become a puppy experiencing your emotions as you learn how to self-soothe.

Friday, 3/17, 11:00 am - 11:15 am and 1:00 pm - 1:15 pm: See Others as Human Beings, Not Labels

Mindfulness is not just a quality you bring to your own body and mind - it's also the act of tuning into others. When you see another person, do you see them as a 3-dimensional being or do you label them 1-dimensional as "checkout clerk," "soccer mom," or "annoying coworker"? This meditation will have you take a few moments to reflect and recognize how you see others.

Friday, 3/24, 11:00 am - 11:15 am and 1:00 pm - 1:15 pm: Awareness of People Just Like You

Think of someone you met today or the next person you expect to see. In this meditation, you will take a moment to consider how that person is just like you. For example, you may consider that "this person wants to be loved, just like me". Adopt this practice to expand your acceptance of others.

Friday, 3/31, 11:00 am - 11:15 am and 1:00 pm - 1:15 pm: Focusing on the Positive Moments of the Day

Rick Hanson, Ph.D., a psychologist and senior fellow at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, reminds us that our brains naturally cling to unpleasant experiences in order to protect us from future danger. However, by actively seeking out moments of joy, we enable the brain to shift attention from the negative to the positive. In this meditation, learn and practice how to bring intentional mindfulness to the positive moments of your day.

Financial Wellness

PNC

PNC 2023 Financial Education Webinar Calendar

Lunch and Learn in Tyler Hall - "Late Career: Leveraging your Financial Foundation"

If you're starting to think about retirement, this workshop is for you. Learn about our four-step checklist for planning retirement income, and how to protect your retirement assets by safeguarding personal data.

Thursday, April 27, 2023

12-2 pm

TIAA

TIAA's April Global Webinars for the Month of April:

Quarterly Economic and Market Update with TIAA’s Chief Investment Strategist

Take a closer look at our views on the financial markets, including key market drivers, the U.S. economy, policy and politics, and investing in public markets.

This webinar will also cover the challenges that investors face and how to navigate them.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

12:00 PM EDT

Register here

Invest for success: Fine-tuning your retirement strategy

Moving beyond investing basics to help fine-tune saving and investing strategies for retirement and build a more secure future.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

3:00 PM EDT

Register here

Take Control of Your Financial Life; 5 Steps to Managing Money & Debt

Improving day-to-day financial skills, including learning how to manage money and balance priorities to help enjoy life and save for the future.

Thursday, April 13, 2023

11:00 AM EDT

Register here

Women 2 Women: Start to Finish

When women are starting their careers, there’s a lot to consider – career goals, job satisfaction, and achieving a work/life balance. But it’s important to also consider retirement. Discover how establishing a plan now can help build your financial future.

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

3:00 PM EDT

Register here