Welcome to some virtual Recreation & Wellness Programming Opportunities and other Resources! We are actively building additions to this set of virtual resources that are designed to enhance your wellness and well-being. Check back often and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest offerings and resources. We will always be adding more everyday! Engage with us and we will mail you a WSU Championship tshirt (when we can).
Take a Virtual 360 Tour of the Wellness Center from Home!
Know Before You Go! Check out the Live Usage & Occupancy
Choose an icon to be brought right to either the section or the Dimension of Wellness you're looking for!
Featured Resources & Information For:
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All
- COVID-19 related On-Demand Webinars from AllOne Health- Topics include Return to Work, Leadership, Transistioning Back, the New Normal, Coping, Caregiving, Relationships, Communincation, Mindfulness and more!
- Learn more about Worcester State University's Safe Campus
- WSU Public Health Information -Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
- Mass. Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is issuing emergency SNAP (food stamp) supplements to many SNAP households to help buy food during the pandemic crisis. Apply Here
- WSU's very own Thea's Pantry providing food and other essentials to students, staff, and faculty in need.
- Provide emergency financial assistance during this time through the WSU Student Emergency Fund.
- Those who are healthy, feeling well and eligible to give blood or platelets, are urged to make an appointment to donate as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
- WSU IT assistance before contacting the IT Help Desk
- Check out some meditations, sleep, and movement exercises to help you out, however you’re feeling with headspace FOR FREE - visit Resilient U!
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Students
- Connect with BestColleges.com and their open-use resource that provides educational resources that will impact your mental and physical health.
- Check out the Recreation Movement- Create an account with your @worcester.edu email address and gain access to live daily classes from colleges and universities across the country!
- Looking to make your first visit to the Wellness Center, complete the Online Waiver for the DeFeudis Fitness Center (see directions here)
- WSU Counseling Services at Counseling_WSU@worcester.edu or call (508)929-8072. Tips to taking care of yourself.
- WSU Tutoring & Library Services
- Missing your WSU Clubs & Organizations? Stay in touch with them on Instagram!
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FacStaff
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WSU Employee Benefits Newsletter
Making the transition back to the workplace can be overwhelming and can bring on strong emotions. During this transition, it is normal to feel irritation, anger, nervousness and anxiety. You may also feel overwhelmed, tired, lacking motivation and burned out. All One Health, has provided guides on how we can cope with the transition and build resiliency. To login or create an account with All One Health, please visit: https://www.mylifeexpert.com/login Company code: worcester.
For employees:
For supervisors:
- AllOne Health (our Employee Assistance Program) will be hosting many webinars - recorded and past webinars can be found here.
- Weight Watchers is offering a special discount to WSU employees. Choose your membership plan here: https://bit.ly/2WuCaki
- AllOne Life Coaching; Benefits include: Better overall life balance, Improving time management, Renewed life purpose, Improved career development. Call AllOne Health to get started at: 1-800-451-1834
- Now that your returning to work, workout from work!
- Fidelity Investments - Schedule your 1:1 Appoinment now!
- Schedule your 1:1 VALIC Retirement Phone Consultation
- AllOne EAP Workout-At-Home Resources, Mindfulness Resources & Transitioning Back to Work
- Remote Learning: Guidance for WSU Students and Faculty from Center for Teaching and Learning
- Health & Safety Resources for our GIC members
- AllOne COVID-19 Resources
- The Optum toll-free Emotional Support Help Line is available to all GIC-eligible public employees and their dependents, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-866-342-6892 or liveandworkwell.com (select browse as a guest with a company code) Company Code: Mass4you. This support is provided through GIC’s Mass4YOU Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This help line is available at no cost. You do not have to be enrolled in a GIC Health Insurance plan to use it.
- Employee Assistance Program;
- Check out some Desk Exercises & Stretches to keep you moving: Poster & a great demonstration video (and another)!
- Other GIC and MASS 4 You Resources
- WSU Employee Wellness, Healthier Woo Resources, Webinars and More!
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Intellectual:
- Have some down time- try out some free Puzzles from I'm a Puzzle
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Check out more than 500 free online games HERE, including popular versions like FreeCell and the classic Solitaire.
- Challenge yourself (and friends while socially distant) with some free Escape Rooms and other challenges!
- Access WSU Library resources from off-campus! (you will be prompted to log in with your WSU username and password) To find Library subscriptions to additional newspapers, magazines, and journals, use the Find Journals by Title link (http://ew4rf2bf9n.search.seri
alssolutions.com/ ) on the Library's home page (https://www.worcester.edu/library/ ). For more information, see the How to Locate Journals by Title tutorial (https://sway.office.com/HLz2kFRG0jsSjKgU?ref=Link&loc=play ). - Boston Globe http://gold.worcester.edu/logi
n?url=https://search.proquest. com/bostonglobe - Chronicle of Higher Education http://gold.worcester.edu/logi
- New York Times https://gold.worcester.edu:347
5/publication/11561 - Wall Street Journal https://gold.worcester.edu:347
5/publication/105983
- Boston Globe http://gold.worcester.edu/logi
- Did you know that Worcester State University subscribes to both Films on Demand (https://gold.worcester.edu:37
99/nd_Home.aspx ) and Academic Video Online (https://gold.worcester.edu:2889/channel/academic-video-onli )? These are both resources you can use to access documentaries, performances, and other educational videos! If you are looking for a specific title, or want to browse, take some time to look at what’s available through Films on Demand and Academic Video Online!ne - Sharpen your cooking skills with some Online Cooking Classes with Jessy Ratfink OR Learn and cook with Purdue's Recreation & Wellness Team.
- Ever want to learn a new language? Exercise your mind and use your free time intentionally with Duolingo and gain access to 35 different languages!
- FREE online learning “The Science of Well-Being” offered by Yale.
- Build skills with courses, certificates, and degrees online from world-class universities and companies.
- Visit and Tour some Famous Museums for FREE!
- What's the most transformative thing that you can do for your brain today? Check out this TED talk.
- Working home with kids at home too;
- Live Online Classes for Ages 3-18. Explore fun, social, and safe learning experiences—taught over live video chat, classes led by qualified teachers.
- Miss Megan's Kindergarten Camp
Emotional:
- Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook- A Tool to Help You Build Resilience During Difficult Times
- DeStress Monday and Everyday! Breathe away the stress =)
- Get some tips on Talking to Kids about Current Events, from AllOne Health
- Counseling Services is providing in-person and teletherapy to WSU students. If you need emotional support, please set up an intake appointment by contacting Counseling Services at Counseling_WSU@worcester.edu or call (508)929-8072.
- 7 techniques that can help us Cope with Stressful Situations Beyond our Control
- The Optum toll-free Emotional Support Help Line is available to all GIC-eligible public employees and their dependents, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-866-342-6892 or liveandworkwell.com (select browse as a guest with a company code) Company Code: Mass4you. This support is provided through GIC’s Mass4YOU Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This help line is available at no cost. You do not have to be enrolled in a GIC Health Insurance plan to use it.
- 10min Guided Meditation For Sleep & Relaxation (Fall Asleep Fast With Soothing Rain Sounds)
- Mental Health Tips during Quarantine
- Talk About Mental Health- How To and Get Help
- WSU's Title IX Office is still assisting our students, do not hesitate to reach out to the Office anytime.
- Take a few minutes to relax. Sharon will lead you in tensing and then relaxing your face, hands, shoulders, and back. Sharon Salzberg, Basic Relaxation
- Your mindfulness practice can help you mitigate not only the fear and uncertainty of COVID-19, but can even help you quit touching your face all day.
- Relaxation Exercises
- Free Crayola Coloring Pages, more free coloring pages of famous Van Gogh masterpieces.
- 7 Practical Tips For Healthy Eating During Self Isolation. Plus the foods you’ll actually want to be stocking up on.
- Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty
- Activities, recommendations, and ideas to help you stay in and take care of yourself and/or others
- Relax with some Adult Online Coloring
- Coping with Cabin Fever
- Article- Building Emotional Resilience at the Workplace
- Clear & Calm The Mind In Uncertain Times (15min Guided Meditation)
Physical:
(Join some of your very own WSU Instructors* for a class , Participation is voluntary, and at your own risk. Subject to change without notice.)
- LIVE CLASSES
- Our Spring 2023 Group Exercise Classes are here, join us!
- Check out the Recreation Movement- Create an account with your @worcester.edu email address and gain access to live daily classes from colleges and universities across the country!
- RECORDED CLASSES
- Dean* - Total Body Workout
- Mary* - Stress Reduction Yoga (35min), Password: 8n?1$m23
- Mary* - Yoga Breaks
- Standing Practice – Shoes On – No Mat (18min), Password: 6p^*M%+&
- Sun Salutations (17min), Password: 2u*&^=cq
- Core Strength (12min), Password: 3q+62?4d
- TLC for Lower Back (13min), Password: 7q!!$7av
- Mary* - Slow Flow Yoga (60min), Password: 2v^5?7$1
- Mary* - Lunchtime Yoga & Stretch (25min), Password: M9%D+@8A
- Mary* - Vinyasa Flow (55min)
- Mary* - Yoga for Strength, Balance and Flexibility (30 min)
- Mary* - Wake Up Yoga
- Mary* - Post-Workout Yoga
- At home with your children? Get them active and learning too!
- At-Home Exercise Routines for Busy Parents from ACE
- Family Fitness during COVID19 & Kid Friendly Workouts from ACE Fitness
- Cosmic Kids Yoga & Mindfulness (really fun for the whole family)
- Boks, a Reebok program geared toward kids and exercising.
- Avengers Tabata Workout
- Spiderman HIIT Workout
- Superhero Tabata Workout
- Black Panther Workout
- Harry Potter Hogwarts School Workout
- Fortnite Dance Workout
- DDPY 4 KIDZ (DDPYoga for Kids) - FREE
- Comprehensive list of Fitness & Wellness Apps (iOS and Android)
- Home Workouts from BarBend
- Fierce 5-Minute Movement Breaks & On Demand Fitness Classes from Orange Theory Fitness and the American Heart Association
- How to Safely Return to the Gym, article from ACE Fitness
- Sample Workouts from LivingFit & Kettlebell Kings!
- CorePower Yoga Classes
- OBE Fitness' toning workouts. The app offers 100 live classes per week, including cardio, strength, yoga, and stretch based workouts. Use code
- Barry's Bootcamp workouts through IGTV!
- Daily 30minute workouts at home from Orange Theory
- Sitting too long at your desk (or couch) lately? Try out some Dynamic Stretches!
- Check out some Strength & Conditioning workouts from your very own WSU Athletic Training staff!
- The Perfect HIIT Workout for Home, from ACE
- Check out Human Kinetics "Active At Home" resources.
- Check out some Desk Exercises & Stretches to keep you moving: Poster & a great demonstration video (and another)!
- Body Weight Exercises from ACE
- Thanks to Life Fitness you can access FREE at home workouts everyday!
- Enjoy some Free Workout Videos from Fitness Blender
- Les Mills at home workouts!
- Quarantine Yoga workouts and poses
- A comprehensive yoga app embedded with animated yoga classes. Positions are shown in animations.
- Why You Should Still Move Your Body Especially When Anxious. Even that 20-minute sweat sesh can make a huge difference.
- Courtesy of Precor, Maximize your Health and Wellness at home.
- Girls Night In- Fitness & Wellness Resources
- IDEA Health & Fitness Association's Fitness Builder & Pre-Made Workouts
- Overcome your At-Home Workouts Biggest Mistakes!
- Featured At-Home Workouts from Perform Better
- Greenfields Outdoor Fitness - At Home Workouts, and another Full Body Workout. Try some mobility at home.
- Listen to the Sports Medicine Podcast, Exercise Increases Immune Function - How We Know
- ACE Fitness at Home Workout/Exercise Library
- uFit at home exercises
- Full Body Workout using Body Weight and a few Exercises from Life Fitness
Occupational:
- Create Psychological Safety in the Workplace, from AllOne Health
- Check out the current job opportunities at Worcester State University!
- Stay informed on the latest related to Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and COVID-19.
- View this guide on How to File for UI During COVID-19
- Check in with the Career Services team for some career advice. They can answer all your resume, internship and job search questions over zoom, email, and more. Drop them an email at careerservices@worcester.edu to get started. Update your information and create a profile in Lancer Link, including viewing employment opportunities.
- Utilize the WSU Career Services Resume & Cover Letter Guide!
Environmental:
- It's safe outside - so HIKE Worcester!
- The City of Worcester is blessed with an abundance of park lands! Worcester has many public parks throughout the City, which offer a vast array of green space for you to get out and enjoy nature. Explore Nature!
- Stream a recommended movie; Hulu: The Biggest Little Farm; Climate Warriors; Blackfish; Dr Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who
Disney+: Paris to Pittsburgh; Before the Flood; America’s National Parks; Frozen 2 HBO: Gasland Part 2; Ice on Fire Netflix: Tiny House Nation; Our Planet; Growing Up Wild - Get out and discover nature surrounding you. There might be something close to you, if not search your area.
- Creating the new routine.
- Working from home having you pulling your hair out? Play some white noise, background music and more.
- Live Zoo Webcams from the; Houston Zoo, San Diego Zoo, Smithsonian National Zoo, Nationwide EarthCam/Animal Cams, Bronz Zoo, Ouwehand Park Polar Bear Cubs
- Exploring the natural and physical sciences - Take a 3D tour of the Ecotarium!
- Travel the world from the couch! Enjoy some Worldwide walking tours from the comfort of your home!
- Check out some Epic Films from the Great Outdoors. Adventure at Home. We're bringing the epic adventure of the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival to you!
Financial:
- Upcoming SMART Retirement & Beyond Virtual Webinar Schedule- Join the Massachusetts State Employees’ Retirement System (MSERS), as they provide an overview of the Massachusetts State Employees’ Retirement System (MSERS) members pension benefit, SMART Plan and in some cases, the Social Security WEP/GPO. These virtual webinars are held exclusively for Massachusetts State Employees and are very beneficial if a member is beginning their career with the state or a year away from retirement. Eligible members learn about the features and latest updates on their pension benefit, the benefits of investing in the Massachusetts Deferred Compensation SMART Plan, and in some cases, an overview of social security benefits for which they may be eligible. For consumers who are deaf and hard of hearing and would like to get interpreting or CART services, please email your request to: MSRBCommunications@tre.state.m
a.us at least two weeks prior to the Webinar you will attend. - The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer launched a Financial Wellness Series for all Massachusetts State Employees and Retirees. State Employees have access to free financial resources, websites and virtual workshops:
- My Financial Life, a digital learning tool that provides money management strategies to help guide you through each stage of life (https://bit.ly/3gbukEq)
- My Financial Life Learning Lab allows you to create a personalized financial playlist based on your current needs (https://bit.ly/2JzST20)
- Money Talk Tuesdays is a free virtual workshop on Tuesdays. These workshops will feature a new topic each week hosted by experts (https://bit.ly/2JCSM5N)
- Baby Steps: Investing in our children’s futures (https://bit.ly/36Fx3ms)
- Economic Empowerment for Women (https://bit.ly/3g9X00N)
- Empowering Veterans (https://bit.ly/3lJYZtG)
- Another component of the financial wellness program is a financial education portal with Enrich (https://bit.ly/3qxL91s)
- Saving for retirement? Worcester State University offers the following supplemental retirement plans.
- 403(b) Plan enrollment link: https://bit.ly/2F5FHze
- Roth 403(b) Plan enrollment link: https://bit.ly/2DqdJxP
- Once enrolled you have access to:
- Automatic savings through payroll deduction
- Tax-deferred savings* that also reduce your taxable income
- Virtual one-on-one service available when you are
- To schedule a virtual meeting with a VALIC financial advisor: https://bit.ly/32Tys5R
- The financial professionals at TIAA can help you create a 403b supplemental retirement portfolio that’s right for you. Get guidance from TIAA by scheduling a 1:1 virtual meeting with TIAA representative Bernard.
- Talking with an investment professional can help you:
- Maximize your retirement savings
- Balance retirement planning with other financial goals
- Build an investment portfolio with the right mix of asset allocations
- Determine your investment strategy
- Achieve your savings goals
- To register: https://bit.ly/2EKeMJb
- Talking with an investment professional can help you:
- Let us help you by providing emergency financial support during this time through the WSU Student Emergency Fund.
- Metro Credit Union brings us "Money Sense." Whether you’re teaching your grade-schooler about the power of saving or helping your new college grad learn how to create a budget, MoneySense offers a series of interactive courses designed to educate and engage learners of all ages.
Social:
- Listen to "How to Use Technology & Social Media to Feel More Connected" with Mark Shapiro
- Why Your Social Life is a Matter of Life and Death a Podcast with Linda Waite. A distinguished University of Chicago professor’s groundbreaking research provides insights into the overlooked importance of social health.
- 6 Strategies for Improving your Social Wellbeing & Health from the National Institutes of Health
- The Power of Connection in the Age of Social Distancing, great article from IDEA Health & Fitness Association
- How to Be an Active Bystander When You See Casual Racism
- Conversations With A Black Man A Safe Space to Learn and be Educated through "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man." Emmanuel Acho sits down to have an “uncomfortable conversation” with white America, in order to educate and inform on racism, system racism, social injustice, rioting & the hurt African Americans are feeling today. Conversations about race that many white people have never been able to have.
- Anti-Racism Resources, more resources from the YWCA of Central Massachusetts
- Bring the parks and attractions of Disney to your living room! Check out even more 360degree tours!
- Learn how you can help others during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
- Use your WSU ZOOM account to visit with your WSU family, friends, roommates, colleagues and more. Stay connected!
- Play charades and compete with friends for free using Skribbi.
- Challenge your friends to a game! Billiards, Basketball, Archery, Darts, MiniGolf, Shuffleboard and more! Use "Game Pigeon" on your iPhone through your text feature.
- Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others. Watch her TED talk.
Spiritual:
- Check out the American Heart Association's Meditation Guide
- Let's Calm Together! These challenging times remind us that it's never enough to just look after ourselves. We must look after each other too.
- In times like these, we need practical, actionable ways of coping with stress, fear, and anxiety. The meditations, podcasts, blog posts, and talks on this page will help you build resilience and find some calm amidst the chaos.
- A Global Coronavirus Healing Meditation from InsightTimer.
- Relaxation and Stress Management Techniques.
- Decrease anxiety during this stressful time with the WSU Mindfulness Meditation Blog.
- Looking to begin Meditation and Mindfulness? Check out these great resources!
- Have you had a chance to enjoy the end-of-year music presentations from Worcester State University students? The University and the Visual and Performing Arts Department have made both music videos available to audiences on one site: https://www.worcester.edu/Music-Gallery/
- 15min Guided Meditation To Find Peace In Uncertain Times
- WSU Campus Ministry
Other Worcester State Wellness Resources
Have questions, concerns, or looking for something more? Know of a resource you'd like to share?
Feel free to contact Dean Bowen, dbowen2@worcester.edu
Last Updated 3/9/2023