The CPN Seal of Prevention represents the highest standard for online prevention education, with a rigorous set of criteria to ensure colleges and universities are taking action to create a safer, more inclusive campus through comprehensive, evidence-based digital prevention education across critical areas, including sexual assault, alcohol misuse, mental health and discrimination. The CPN Seal of Prevention establishes guidelines for discerning quality online prevention education and implementation practices, and positions prevention as central to key institutional outcomes.

“O�ܰ� for incoming first-year and transfer undergraduate students are directly related to this award,” says Veronica Whalen Jones, director of Barnes Center at The Arch Health Promotion. To fulfill the University’s Community Wellness Requirements, incoming students are required to take three online training modules on alcohol education, sexual assault prevention and diversity, inclusion and belonging prior to arriving on campus for their first semester.

These required education modules help positively impact the campus community and help students thrive. “The programs that make up the Community Wellness Requirements are focused on equipping students with knowledge to create a safer, supportive and inclusive community for students to live and learn,” says Whalen Jones.

Expanding on education for returning sophomores, juniors and seniors, the Barnes Center Health Promotion team helped to implement the last summer. This is an annual sexual and relationship violence prevention training requirement that builds upon the Community Wellness Requirements.

To learn more or with questions, please visit the Barnes Center at The Arch , call Barnes Center at The Arch Health Promotion at 315.443.8000 or email communitywellness@syr.edu.

Joseph Perez meditates outside Hendricks Chapel (Photo by Micah Greenberg)

“People were lonely. They had a lot of anxiety,” recalled Cooke. She knew the need for meditation and mindfulness would increase as students returned to campus in the fall of 2020. That’s when she put together the Mindfulness Certification program. Some of the students who showed interest in the program were already invested in their meditation practice, but many others were curious about meditation and nervous to try it. While some participants identify as Buddhist, most come from other backgrounds (including faith-based and atheist/agnostic) and gather to embrace the spiritual benefits of meditation and mindfulness.

The students who came together for meditation and the weekly sangha meetings felt like they had found a sense of belonging. “When you’re in a group, you just see that you’re not the only one who feels pain,” said Cooke.

The Mindfulness Certification has three levels. The first level entails attending a beginners’ workshop that includes how to sit in meditation and how to deal with discomfort. The student must attend one or more meditations per week and keep a short journal. About 40 students have completed the first level of certification.

The Buddhist altar in Hendricks Chapel’s Small Chapel (Photo by Solon Quinn)

Why develop a certificate for meditation? “Your brain is going to tell you that you don’t have time to do ‘nothing’ for half an hour; you’re very busy and you shouldn’t do it,” Cooke says. “But if you tell your brain, ‘I’m getting a certificate!’ your brain is going to understand that you’re gaining credentials.” However, she adds that the real payoff isn’t a piece of paper, your well-being is where the real benefits lay.

Caroline Moller ’24 will receive her Level 2 certificate this semester. As a senior studying forensic science and psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences, she notes many benefits for both her personal and professional well-being. Just about a year ago, Moller’s friend asked her to attend a meditation session. Before that, other trusted people in her life had recommended meditation. “It was never something I saw myself capable of doing, because I had always been a highly anxious person,” she says. “My life has been changed ever since for the better.”

Not only did Moller feel that she received personal benefits from her involvement, but also that the entire group was collectively recovering from trauma and stress. “Being a part of this group has acted as a healing process,” she says.

University staff member Robin Summers started her mindfulness practice in 2018. Currently, as an assistant director in admissions, she is grateful for her mindfulness training with Cooke and others. She travels often to recruit future students and feels the benefit of the lessons she has learned. “I can tell when I am meditating and when I’m not. I can physically and mentally feel it,” she says. “As a parent and a caregiver for older parents, my ability to manage the noise in my life is much better.”

Avid practitioner Joe Perez, a senior at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), started meditation after his therapist introduced a visualization practice during a session. Perez realized that meditation would be a helpful addition to his regular therapy sessions, and he has since learned to calm his emotions and think through situations logically.

For those seeking care for mental health, mindfulness training is one of many options.* Mindfulness practices are considered a healthy supplement to medication and other modes of therapy, like .

Mindfulness, according to Cooke, is about paying attention. “Paying attention is a spiritual practice where you find joy and gratitude,” she says. “And that’s how you express compassion: paying attention to other people and their needs.”

Here are six tips for starting your mindfulness journey:

1. Bring a friend! Engaging with a community or a friend can enhance your practice and provide motivation.
2. Just pause. Use meditation as a tool to pause the hustle of daily life, offering a moment to regain control and perspective.
3. Find a teacher. If you can’t find a teacher, try a video or podcast to get started.
4. Persist with patience. Meditation is a skill that develops with practice. Embrace the process with an open heart and patience. Initial discomfort or skepticism is part of the journey.
5. Reflect on the positives daily. Every day has moments of both delight and discomfort. Note those moments, and then release them.
6. Just try it. You don’t need any prior knowledge about meditation before attending.

“You are not alone,” notes Cooke. “When we meditate as a group, we learn that we are all experiencing pain. There is pain and discomfort in the world, but it doesn’t last forever. Experiencing this together creates community and compassion, two things this world needs a lot more of.”

You can learn more about the Mindfulness Certificate program and the meditation schedule on the . Anyone from SU or SUNY-ESF is welcome to join meditations or sangha meetings. Contact Cooke at jmcooke@syr.edu to have a cup of tea and talk about your interest in meditation or in receiving mindfulness training.

*SU and SUNY-ESF students seeking mental health support can reach out to the Barnes Center at the Arch, which offers services for mental health emergencies at 315.443.8000 or barnescenter@syr.edu; faculty, staff and employee family members can contact . The Barnes Center at the Arch also has . The has��resources to support yourself and help others, as well as a��chat service to talk with crisis counselors around the clock.

2023 Workforce Run participants with Otto (Photo by Randy Pellis)

At the 2023 ���ϲ����� WorkForce Run/Walk/Roll (formerly the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge), ���ϲ����� held the distinction of being the largest employer represented among dozens of local companies participating in the annual tradition for the second year in a row.

Jacqui Smith (center) participating in the 2023 Workforce run (Photo by Randy Pellis)

In June, University faculty and staff members will have the opportunity to reclaim that title and enjoy an evening of camaraderie, networking, food, fun and movement. Participants of all abilities and fitness levels are encouraged to join the ���ϲ����� team. “Campus gets very busy this time of year with Commencement and end of year activities, so this is a fun evening to hang out with people that share the same Orange pride,” says Jacqui Smith, member of the planning committee for the University’s team. “This is also a great chance to get to know other folks from around campus in a low-pressure environment. And there’s food and T-shirts so who can say no to that?!”

Everyone’s favorite mascot, Otto, will also be there again this year to cheer on the ���ϲ����� team—so if you’ve ever wanted to give them a high-five as you cross the finish line, here is your chance!

Interested? Here’s What You Need to Know

• This year’s race begins at 6:45 p.m. on��Thursday, June 6, at Onondaga Lake Parkway in Liverpool.
• The distance is 5K (3.1 miles) and a map of the course is��.
• There is a $43 registration fee, half of which is paid by the University. Participants will need to make a $21.50 credit card payment when they .
• The deadline to register is��Monday, May 6.
• The registration fee includes a ���ϲ����� team t-shirt to wear during the event, an official race T-shirt and a complimentary buffet-style dinner (vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available).
• Packet and t-shirt pickup will be held at our tent 1.5-2 hours before the event.
• Parking is available at NBT Bank Stadium, and a complimentary shuttle bus service is provided. The has detailed parking information and answers to frequently asked questions.

The ���ϲ����� WorkForce Run is for�� of the University; however friends and family are welcome to join by registering as an individual participant, paying the full race fee of $55 and picking up their own race packet.

“Don’t miss out on this great team building event and opportunity to represent ���ϲ�����, while getting some exercise with others,” says Erin Schaal, who is also a member of the planning committee.

For any questions about the event, please email wellness@syr.edu.

2023 ���ϲ����� Workforce Run Team (Photo by Randy Pellis)

DEIA: The Core of Wellness

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility is at the heart of The Barnes Center at the Arch’s Wellness Wheel, showing its intersections with all eight Dimensions of Wellness.

When explored through a student-focused lens, DEIA is the core of holistic health and wellness. It’s also physically represented as the , showing its intersections with all eight Dimensions of Wellness.

“Holistic well-being cannot be explored without first acknowledging global and historical systems of oppression and health inequities that exist and interact with each Dimension of Wellness,” explained Tanya Williamson, Barnes Center at The Arch associate director for diversity and inclusion. “If not discovered and addressed, systemic health inequities can create barriers to accessing care, education and services.”

Cultivating a Culture of Belonging

Individuals thrive in affirming spaces. Seeking to cultivate a culture of belonging, the Barnes Center at The Arch health and wellness team not only represents DEIA as the core of their Wellness Wheel, but work to keep DEIA at the center of every action.

“Every ���ϲ����� community member should feel welcomed and valued. Our mission is to integrate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, into all aspects of health and wellness,” Williamson says. “To achieve optimum health and wellness, our services, policies, practices, and the way we treat others must include the values and practices of DEIA.”

Leading the Wellness of Tomorrow by Prioritizing DEIA Today

Tanya Williamson

Williamson and the , which enhances the student health and wellness experience. Examples of this include but are not limited to: speaking with, gathering and implementing student feedback; trainings and workshops; expanding campus coalition through the Barnes Center DEIA Committee; and more.

“We are invested in DEIA initiatives that enrich the student experience. We’re learning and deepening our knowledge while taking actionable steps,” Williamson says. “O�ܰ� collaborative work manifests in a variety of ways, including identifying the interrelated and overlapping impact of personal and institutional forms of inequity. We then exam issues from historical and current perspectives. We acknowledge the inequity that our students may face, and we ultimately strive to create opportunities for education, action and results to enhance the student experience. Specifically, we want students to feel they belong at the Barnes Center and on campus.”

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series

Through a student-focus lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, families and supporters, as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

Zen Artist Mini Board, one of several items available to borrow.

���ϲ����� Libraries has recently added several wellness items to its borrowing collection. The items in the Wellness Collection have been added to provide emotional and mental support for Libraries users to help relieve stress and improve mental well-being.

Currently, there are four different items: coloring book kits, mini Zen Buddha boards, light therapy lamps and chair massage pillows. All of these items are available for short-term loan from the Bird Library Check Out Desk.

More information about the items is available on the Libraries webpage . Additional wellness resources, including campus services and resources, as well as reading materials are available on the Libraries .

To better connect with fans of the ���ϲ����� football team while showcasing the human side of being a Division I student-athlete, redshirt junior defensive end Caleb Okechukwu, sophomore defensive back Ja’Had Carter and sophomore linebacker Marlowe Wax launched “” earlier this football season.

While the trio of talented football student-athletes was ultimately successful in their efforts to strengthen the already strong bonds between the team and its passionate fan base, a funny thing happened during the recording of their weekly podcast: the talks evolved into a form of therapy, a way for Okechukwu, Carter and Wax to improve their mental health through candid conversations.

Caleb Okechukwu

“We were just trying to show that we’re humans who have emotions and personalities when we’re on the field. We wanted to take our fans behind the scenes and take them onto the field with us while showing that we’re vulnerable with what we go through on a week-to-week basis,” says Okechukwu, who serves as the host and conductor of the podcast. “For me, we’re so used to being tough and not saying anything about the issues we deal with, so this has been like therapy for real. We all looked forward to talking and laughing on the show after each game.”

“As men, we’re taught to not be vulnerable, and a lot of people might think we’re so tough that things don’t get to us, but we all have emotions,” says Wax. “Doing the podcast is therapy, being able to talk to each other about what we’re going through, and I appreciate how much the fans and the public have bought into our podcast.”

The podcast is also a great way for fans of the Orange to get to know their favorite players off the field. Modeled after shows like “,” an unscripted show featuring former NFL players Brandon Marshall, Adam “Pacman Jones, LeSean McCoy and Chad Johnson, the Orange podcasters say their show exemplifies how student-athletes can use their voices as a powerful tool.

Ja’Had Carter

“I was definitely nervous that first episode, but then as we started going through the episodes and talking with each other, it turned into a conversation that really flowed. As the weeks went on, we got better and better and became more confident in our abilities. This has turned into something special,” Carter says.

The name of the podcast is a testament to the tenacious energy and aggressive approach employed by the members of the defense, and it’s also a nod to the tight-knit relationship between Carter, Okechukwu and Wax, who dubbed themselves and their defensive teammates the “Mob Squad.”

So it was only natural that, when they were thinking of what to call their fledgling podcast, the trio settled on “The Mob Podcast.” But what does that mob mentality mean?

“Being aggressive. Always flying to the ball and having that mentality that nobody scores on us. But it’s not just the defensive guys, the offensive guys have bought into the mob mentality, too. It keeps us together and strong,” Carter says.

Marlowe Wax

“We knew the fans would love it because they know and embrace that mob mentality. We hear the mob chant during the games and this whole thing has just come alive and taken off so quickly,” adds Wax.

“When you think of the mob mentality, it’s everybody coming together and being focused on one goal, and accomplishing that goal as a team,” Okechukwu says.

After storming out of the gates red-hot thanks to a 6-0 start that saw the Orange ranked as high as No. 14 in the national polls, comparisons were being drawn between this year’s squad and the last ���ϲ����� team to start 5-0: the 1987 Orange, who, led by quarterback Don McPherson ’87 finished with an undefeated 11-0-1 en route to an appearance in the Sugar Bowl.

Following a shutout home win over Wagner, McPherson joined the podcast for a candid conversation on football, life as a student-athlete on the ���ϲ����� campus, and the importance of taking care of yourself, physically and mentally.

“When Don started talking about mental health and mental wellness issues, that really stood out to me. As athletes, and especially for male athletes, we’re taught to keep our emotions in. We don’t really display our emotions or talk about issues that we’re going through, but it’s important that we do, and this podcast has helped us do that,” Carter says.

The podcasters have recorded and posted 10 episodes so far, with one more episode still to come. Before ���ϲ����� played in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl against the University of Minnesota on Dec. 29,��the Mob Squad mingled with fans of the Orange during a live podcast recording session, fielding questions from fans who made the trip to New York City to cheer on ���ϲ����� in its first bowl game in four years.

It’s fitting that the podcast featured the fans, since they played such an important role in the creation of the show.

“All offseason we’re grinding, putting in that blood, sweat and tears to get better on the field. What we’re doing right now is what we all dreamed of doing when we were younger, and it’s great that we all came together this year with that one main goal in mind,” Wax says.

“This year we really created a culture and put that respect back on the ���ϲ����� football team,” adds Okechukwu.

In nature, away from screens, daily routines, “comfort zones” and alongside soon-to-be-friends, the feelings of adventure, reduced stress, personal growth and discovery of holistic wellness await exploration. Helping students explore inner wellness through , is Scott Catucci G’21, associate director for outdoor adventure, esports and student development, and Julie DeLeo, certified therapeutic recreation specialist and assistant director for outdoor education.

“Trips provide opportunities for students to unwind and take time to be mindful during the week. Simply being outside has numerous wellness benefits,” says DeLeo.

When explored through a student-focused lens, Outdoor Adventure Trips encompass the Barnes Center at The Arch Dimensions of Wellness, with an emphasis on , , , and .

Outdoor Adventure Trip experiences are unique for each student and throughout each trip. “We meet students where they are and support growth through experiential learning. At the foundation of each Outdoor Adventure Trip are outcomes that can support health and wellness for a lifetime,” says Catucci.

How does the Barnes Center at The Arch help students experience Outdoor Adventure Trips?

The team shares a passion for opening the outdoors to all and encouraging students to step out of comfort zones. Efforts to increase access include the following:

• knowledgeable staff leading trips;
• offering trips for those with and without previous experience;
• providing transportation and equipment;
• subsidized costs; and
• trips are organized to support relationship building and as a result are supportive of students registering independently or with a group.

What types of Outdoor Adventure Trips are hosted and how do students participate?

On average throughout an academic year, a little over 100 student-focused Outdoor Adventure Trips are hosted. The team emphasizes that there is something for everyone.

Updated at the start of each semester, available trips are listed on the . Additional user details are available on the .

Outdoor Adventure Trip Highlights

Students are invited to register for the remaining fall trips and be on the lookout for spring trip registration opening soon!

What if students are unsure about joining an Outdoor Adventure Trip?

Students wanting to learn more about what trips will entail and if they will be comfortable are encouraged to call 315.443.8000 or email BarnesCenter@syr.edu to speak with an Outdoor Education professional.

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series

Through a student-focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, families and supporters as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

“One of the things we learned from the survey is that virtual programming is here to stay; however, we were also happy to see that some faculty and staff are ready to attend workshops in-person again,” says Gail Grozalis, executive director, Wellness Initiative for faculty and staff.

“We are really looking forward to connecting in-person after a long pause of virtual-only programming,” she says. “Consistent with the preferences expressed in the survey, we will continue with a hybrid approach—virtual, on-demand recordings and in-person—so we can reach faculty and staff in different locations, with various schedules, needs and preferences.”

The results of the survey showed that stress management and resilience, physical activity, sleep, healthy cooking and eating, back care, and mindful eating were the topics with the highest interest. In addition, faculty and staff indicated that 30-45 minutes was the sweet spot in terms of length of wellness programming, with a noon-1 p.m. timeframe preference.

“We are grateful for the feedback from the survey. It helped guide our fall planning to meet the needs, areas of interest and preferences of our faculty and staff,” says Kim DeStefano, senior health and wellness specialist for faculty and staff. “We are excited for the fall lineup and cannot wait for faculty and staff to participate in the wellness offerings.”

The wellness team will continue to be responsive to the changing needs of faculty and staff.

“We build new programs around the preferences of our staff and faculty, and we will continue to reach out and respond to their interests and their needs,” says Grozalis. Fall semester wellness programming kicks off the week of Sept. 12. .

Some highlights for the fall semester include the following:

• Focus on Movement: Squatember, a 10-day squat challenge and Back in Balance, a small group, interactive series to learn the Alexander Technique, featuring instructor Kathy Miranda.
• Food for Thought: Nutrition workshops on supplements and fueling young athletes, featuring nutrition professor Dr. Jessica Garay and healthy holiday food demos.
• Health Talks: Webinars covering a variety of health topics from healthy aging to back care to self-care during the holidays.
• Video library: Featuring previously recorded webinars, including cooking demos, physical activity, resilience and bone health.
• : On-demand access to hundreds of hours of content on topics like sleep, anxiety, financial stress, eating and more.
• Feel Like a Million: A board game-themed program to increase energy and help��you feel your best with energy-boosting activities and virtual dollars.

Kira McCrary won the gift basket put together by the Wellness Initiative team for a wellness survey participant.

For those taking the wellness survey, the Wellness Initiative team put together a gift basket for a randomly selected survey participant. Kira McCrary, in the Office of Student Outreach and Retention, was the winner.

When the feelings of loneliness and seeking connection are explored through a student-focused lens they encompass each of the , with an emphasis on , and .

Not Alone in Feeling Lonely
Rios says, “we can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely. This is human.” Navigating social experiences, establishing new support systems, communities and routines, are just a few of the many reasons why it is not uncommon for college students to feel lonely from time to time.

However, it’s important to highlight that though it’s not uncommon to feel lonely and/or disconnected, it does not mean that these experiences are insignificant and for some more difficult to overcome.

Exploring One’s Loneliness and Connections

Similar to each unique student experience, the feelings of loneliness and seeking connection are not simply supported within a “one-size fits all” approach. “Loneliness manifests in a range of ways, including social withdrawal, anger, irritability, substance use disorders, addictions, sadness, depression and anxiety,” explains Rios.

Students and those seeking to support students are invited to further explore and ultimately identify possible sources of loneliness and from there establish actions that when executed may lead to long-term solutions. Diving in further, Rios shares, “When we feel lost, lonely and/or uncertain we can resort to looking outside of ourselves for someone else to take the brave action of inviting us out, starting a conversation with us or addressing a lifestyle change we can be responsible for doing ourselves.”

Through self-reflection, individuals are invited to explore the following examples that may be generating feelings of disconnect and loneliness and also work to identify those unique to their experiences:

• New routines
• Difficulty managing time
• Uncertainty of the future (e.g. major, career and more)
• Distance from family, supporters and home
• Not yet established campus friends/community
• Uncertainty of University support and resources

Building a Personal Toolkit to Reduce Loneliness and Build Connections

“True belonging and connection require that we get brave with our authenticity. It requires us to take down the barriers and façades of self-protection and allow ourselves to be seen,” says Rios. “Loneliness is a human experience. How we approach and manage the feelings of loneliness will determine the outcome.”

After identifying areas that may be resulting in the feelings of loneliness and disconnect, students are invited to take action. The following resources can help meet new people and build connections.

• (registered student organizations)
• (create student experiences)
• (designated gaming room, virtual events)
• (faith communities, community service opportunities)
• (late-night programs)
• (hiking, apple picking,�� snowshoeing and more)
• (all events)

Supporting the Student Experience

Students and those seeking to support students are also invited to begin a personalized conversation with the following campus resources.

• Barnes Center at The Arch: Please , call 315.443.8000 or email BarnesCenter@syr.edu to learn more.
• Student Outreach and Retention (SOaR) Case Managers: Please , call 315.443.2616 or email studentsupport@syr.edu to learn more.

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series

Through a student-focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, families and supporters as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

This holistic wellness approach showcases a concentrated effort of dismantling historic service silos and barriers, to then construct spaces of education, empowerment and inspiration. The intersections also host opportunities for the health and wellness team to enhance the student experience through reimagined services.

Challenging the status quo of health and wellness is the Barnes Center team behind the launch of the integrated experience of Adventure Based Counseling:

• Gwyn Esty-Kendall, health promotion specialist
• Julie DeLeo, assistant director outdoor education
• Scott Catucci M.S. Ed, M.A., G’21, associate director for outdoor education, esports and student development

Envisioning a Future of Holistic Wellness Experiences
At its core, the free is a hybrid of adventure based activities and experiential processing to foster personal growth. The series is offered each fall and spring semester, meeting in person, once a week for 10 weeks.

“The experiential learning model used allows students to process feelings, emotions and the physical reality of what they are doing in the moment and then apply that to their past, present and future experiences,” explains Catucci.

Meetings host a series of challenges, that ultimately combine to strengthen skillsets and provide students with tools to navigate obstacles they may face throughout a lifetime. Each weekly meeting includes the following:

1. Activities that may challenge students mentally, physically and/or emotionally.
2. Group processing explores how goals were accomplished and feelings around challenges.
3. Further processing connects identified skillsets with real-life obstacles to discover solutions and expand comfort level with addressing challenges.

Stepping Away From Predictable and Into Customized Growth
The Barnes Center team hosts safe spaces for students to immerse themselves in risk-taking, moving out of comfort zones, overcoming challenges, finding a sense of belonging, self-discovery, trust and more. Takeaways are also customizable per unique student goals and may also yield skill-building results surrounding leadership, teamwork, increasing community connections, processing emotions and more.

“Adventure Based Counseling may appeal to students who may not be as inclined to seek out traditional therapeutic interventions. Taking a similar approach to process group therapy facilitation, we move through physical and emotional challenges with students, creating unique opportunities for growth,” says Capparelli. “Through exposure to novel experiences and coping with uncertainty in the moment, students expand their comfort zones while doing something active and connecting. Over the course of 10 weeks, participants benefit from being seen, heard, respected, appreciated and supported. They leave with a greater sense of emotional acceptance, community and overall well-being.”

Highlights of Adventure Based Counseling include the following:

• Team Building Activities

Future Adventure Based Counseling Opportunities ����

Applications for Adventure Based Counseling open within the first few weeks of the fall and spring semesters. The health and wellness team encourages students to apply early as spaces are limited and fill quickly. Application information will be available on the and . Students who would like to share interest prior to applications opening may email the Barnes Center at The Arch Health Promotions team.

For additional information or questions, please email the Barnes Center at The Arch or call 315.443.8000.

Brooke Baevsky, alumna and chef, competed on Food Network’s “Chopped.”

Alumna and chef (@inthekitchenwithbae) will combine her passions for food and creativity as she competes on Food Network’s “Chopped” on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 9 p.m. ET.

For the Valentine’s Day-themed competition, Baevsky was paired with another competitor—blind-date style—who she only met a few minutes before the competition. Using a basket of unique ingredients, including steak, passionfruit and matcha, four teams were tasked with creating an appetizer in 20 minutes, an entrée in 30 minutes and a dessert in 30 minutes to impress judges and chefs Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant and Mark Murphy. The winning team will receive a $10,000 prize.

Baevsky’s interest in food began at a young age. Her hometown of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, is adjacent to several communities with food insecurity rates as high as 30%. As a teenager, she taught children’s cooking classes, focusing on the importance, affordability and feasibility of a healthy diet.

After graduation from high school, she didn’t immediately want the traditional “high school straight to culinary school” route.

“I did not want to work in a traditional restaurant, creating the same meals day after day. I am very creative with food trends and unique food product development. I wanted my career in food to challenge this creativity and span beyond restaurant walls,” Baevsky says. “It has always been a dream of mine to create industry-disrupting health food products and have my own cooking show.”

When Baevsky came to ���ϲ����� in 2014, the new industry of food media and “food on the internet,” from Buzzfeed to meal kits, exploded in popularity. At ���ϲ�����, she found a way to pursue her passions by pursuing a dual degree in retail management from the Whitman School and advertising from the Newhouse School.

After graduation from ���ϲ����� in 2018, she went to work for Macy’s, where she worked on the development of food products for all stores under the Macy’s Corporation. In 2020-21, she received a degree in health-supportive culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education.

Baevsky specializes in “,” catering to all allergens and dietary restrictions. Her original recipes are free of gluten, dairy, refined sugar and soy. She is now the manager of product development for Freshly, the nationwide meal delivery service. She works on new product innovation and menu development with some of the largest food companies in the world and caters to private clients around the United States.

Previously based in New York, she is moving to Los Angeles this month to focus on her high-end private catering business, while also planning to continue her volunteer work through cooking classes for inner-city youth.

And what did she take away from her “Chopped” experience? “The timer is real,” she says.

The experience also confirmed for her the path she hopes to pursue.

“It made me love being on television and putting on cooking demonstrations,” she says. “I love cooking in front of a large audience and teaching what I love.”

Group therapy is an excellent way to explore emotional and social wellness, while feeling validated within unique identities.

While group therapy can be a resource to nurture nearly all , groups are an excellent way to explore and , while feeling validated within unique identities.

Why Is Group Therapy Important?
Leading offerings is . Brat strives to not only offer a diverse range of groups but encourages students, faculty, staff, parents and supporters to help promote these free opportunities to support student health and wellness.

“Groups are a microcosm of our world. They are supportive and confidential spaces for learning how to navigate mental health, interpersonal and individual holistic development goals,” Brat says.

How Does Group Therapy Differ From Individual Therapy?
Through daily conversations, media and more, individual therapy often receives more exposure and some may not even know that group therapy is an option—one that may actually be a better fit in comparison.

“Research shows that groups are far more beneficial than individual therapy in college counseling settings,” says Brat. “Group therapy helps individuals realize that they are not alone in facing certain problems and also provides a safe and real-world experience for practicing and improving skills. Additionally, it provides a means to express emotions more freely and have an opportunity to help one another, which can increase self-efficacy.”

A sampling of common issues addressed in group therapy includes the following. For a comprehensive list, .

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Difficulty in social situations and making friends
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Identity exploration
• Loneliness
• Stress management
• Trauma

What Can I Expect From Group Therapy?
Therapists facilitate the groups, enrollment is free and confidentiality is strictly respected. Built on a foundation of community, group therapy respects individual experiences and uniquely supports each participant’s goals. Within this safe space, experiences can include developing insight, working on changing behavior, improving interpersonal skills, sharing and providing feedback.

Upon reflecting on their experience, an anonymous student said, “I was really anxious about joining a group, but it was really helpful. I really enjoyed the exercises and skills we learned.”

Undergraduate and graduate groups, averaging eight to 10 students, meet weekly for 90-minute sessions. Participation may be on a rolling basis or close a few weeks into the semester.

“It felt good to know others have these problems too, and the two [therapist] facilitators were really nice,” shared another anonymous student participant.

Group Therapy Opportunities
Space fills quickly and early action is recommended. To participate, students may schedule an initial consultation to meet with a therapist and discuss group options and possible hesitations, by calling the Barnes Center at 315.443.8000.

For more information or to request accommodations, visit the , email the Barnes Center or call 315.443.8000.

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series
Through a student-focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, families and supporters as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

“From early conversations of integrating health and wellness on campus, our team and goals, have been motivated by incorporating experiences that encompass mind, body, spirit and community—for all of our students,” explains Cory Wallack, Ph.D., Barnes Center at The Arch executive director of health and wellness.

In the pursuit of growing student-focused integrated care, with emphasis on the individual’s unique journey and empowerment of self-defining how to “,” the Barnes Center at The Arch team introduces their interpretation of the Dimensions of Wellness.

“The Dimensions of Wellness provide a strong foundation to enhance our student experience not only at ���ϲ����� but helps grow a skillset that will help [students] navigate their unique and evolving wellness journey throughout a lifetime,” shares Wallack.

Barnes Center at The Arch Dimensions of Wellness
Through social media, television, our relationships and more, as humans we’re bombarded with countless health and wellness messages throughout each day. Not always from a reputable source, these messages often “talk at” audiences by trying to motivate actions without knowing the most important part—the individual along with their unique needs and goals.

Flipping the status quo, the Barnes Center Dimensions of Wellness opens opportunities to not only “talk with” but places students in the driver’s seat of their unique holistic health and wellness journeys.

The introduction of the Barnes Center Dimensions of Wellness, brings with it a new era of health and wellness at the University. This evolution empowers students to explore and experience resources and services. While strengthening faculty and staff resources, expanding campus partnerships and more, the Barnes Center continues to recruit and motivate all campus community members to be catalysts of student-focused health and wellness.

“Students can use the Barnes Center Dimensions of Wellness to better understand the many facets of health and wellness, how each dimension can impact a person’s holistic well-being and to discover ways to enhance their personal health and wellness,” shares Katelyn Cowen, Barnes Center at The Arch health promotion director. “At the same time, we in the Barnes Center are building resources and partnerships that address each Dimension of Wellness, so that students can create their own health and wellness experiences.”

The Dimensions of Wellness are experienced differently by each person and throughout different times in life. The Barnes Center Dimensions of Wellness not only recognizes that but welcomes and empowers continuous exploration.

Taking the Wellness Wheel for a Spin

Woven into the Barnes Center at The Arch Wellness Philosophy and similar to a personalized guiding compass, the is a visual representation of holistic wellness through the eight Dimensions of Wellness. All of which host a core of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA).

Hosting as a launch pad into health and wellness, the shares descriptions, examples, available ���ϲ����� resources and experiences for each Dimension of Wellness. Resources reflect not just one dimension, but a variety of dimensions and the intersection of these dimensions.

Learn more by visiting the by or calling 315.443.8000.

Barnes Center at The Arch peer educators emphasize that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic students now more than ever may be seeking support and community connections.

Barnes Center at The Arch Peer Educators, including Yhanelly Ruiz ’23, emphasize that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic students now more than ever may be seeking support and community connections.

What is SoulTalk?

Seeking a safe space where students from all backgrounds could build community while experiencing deeper conversations about a variety of life’s topics, SoulTalk was first ignited by Sean Martinelli ’15 with the support of Katelyn Cowen, Barnes Center at The Arch health promotion director.

Now a part of the Wellness Leadership Institute, is a free weekly gathering where students have the opportunity to speak on matters of the heart, mind and soul. Led by student facilitators, SoulTalk guides students through discussions in a safe space.

Barnes Center at The Arch Peer Educator Brooke Kirchner ’23 thinks all students would benefit from attending SoulTalk, especially those looking to find their place on campus. “SoulTalk is helpful for individuals who feel they do not have a voice or are struggling with self-esteem.”

What is involved in the SoulTalk experience?
Students can expect to have meaningful conversations and build connections with their peers. “Vulnerability and honesty are valued and encouraged,” shares Barnes Center at The Arch Peer Educator Lily Braden ’23. “We want to create a space where students feel valued and worthy of having a voice.”

Offering a foundation of community, all experiences are hosted with respect and organic conversation. New topics are explored weekly, where individuals are welcome to join and listen or participate in the volunteer-based conversations.�� Braden further explains, “with sharing about common issues or troubles, we can connect with one another and realize that we are not alone.”

Student facilitators find it important to share that topics are not faith-based, and though some may include spiritually, those of all faiths or no faith are welcome. Further breaking down misconceptions, SoulTalk is not part of the Group Therapy series.

How can a student participate in SoulTalk?
Throughout the academic year, free SoulTalk sessions are hosted every Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. Students can register on the under the . For first-time Wellness Portal users, instructions can be found on the .

All ���ϲ����� and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry�� (SUNY ESF) students are welcomed to participate. Remaining fall 2021 topics include the following. Stay tuned for the next round of topics, set to be released at the start of the spring semester.

Please visit the to learn more about SoulTalk. To request accommodations please call the Barnes Center at The Arch at 315.443.8000 or email healthpromotion@syr.edu.

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series
Through a student-focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, parents and families, as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

Written by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience communications intern Cecelia Kersten ’23, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

Health Hub

Follow ��and keep an eye out for the Mobile Health Hub this Thursday, May 13, 2021. Visit with Barnes Center at The Arch peer educators for a chance to win prizes and to learn more about health and wellness.

Rhythmic Connections: Community Drumming

On Thursday, May 13, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., students are invited to a hands-on drumming event. No experience is necessary to participate in this event. Community drumming has been a long provider of opportunities for flexing creative muscles to enhance health and wellness. is required and spots are limited. If this is your first time using the Wellness Portal, please visit the for detailed instructions.

On Sunday, May 16, 7 to 11 p.m. students can stop by the Schine Student Center to enjoy , , grab-and-go breakfast foods, and other stress-busting activities throughout the evening.

In-Person Pet Therapy

Join some furry friends on the Huntington Beard Crouse Hall (HBC) Patio to relax and welcome back the Deborah A. Barnes Pet Therapy Program.

• Wednesday, May 19, 2-3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 19, 5:15-6:45 p.m.
• Friday, May 21, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion

Many activities are offered at the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion through the end of the semester. Visit the for more information on times, dates and to register. If this is your first time using the Wellness Portal, please visit the for detailed instructions.

• Curling
• Late Night Ice
• Open Skate
• Stick & Puck

Fitness Classes

Throughout the end of the semester, the Barnes Center at The Arch is offering a variety of in-person and virtual Group Fitness Classes. Visit the for more information. is required. If this is your first time using the Wellness Portal, please visit the for detailed instructions.

Offering something for everyone, the , hosted on the Wellness Portal, is an engaging and convenient way to explore health and wellness. Highlights of end of the semester videos include stress management, self-care and more.

For questions or to request accommodations for the Orange After Dark Pancake Breakfast Stressbuster event, please contact the Office of Student Activities by emailing stactivities@syr.edu or by calling 315.443.2718. For additional programs, please contact the Barnes Center at The Arch by calling 315.443.8000 or by emailing BarnesCenter@syr.edu.

Story by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience graduate assistant Alana Boyd G’21, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

All events will follow public health guidance, and students are reminded to adhere to their commitment to the .

For the full schedule of events, visit the .

Check out the list below for a sampling of the activities:

• The Barnes Center at The Arch has a available on Tuesday. Register in the (registration opens six hours before each class).
• If you have ever considered joining the pet therapy team at the Barnes Center, participate in an .
• As part of the , the Office of Student Activities and Traditions Commission are hosting a panel discussion with the Homecoming Court and de-stress paint night. (Students Only)
• Visit to participate in sled hockey, curling or skating lessons.
• Reserve a spot at the Crowley Family MindSpa on the .
• The Health Hub will pop-up at Flint and Day halls. Follow day-of for the announced time.
• Take part in the . (Students Only)
• The welcomes Nyle DiMarco as its final speaker for the spring semester.
• Hendricks Chapel and the chaplaincies will offer such activities as service projects, crafts and Ultimate Frisbee.
• ���ϲ����� Libraries has compiled a , outlining University and local resources for health, well-being and personal care for mind and body.
• Practice self-guided mindfulness and meditation techniques through your free access to the number one mobile app for stress, anxiety and depression management, .
• The is also sponsoring for faculty and staff. These activities are in addition to the resources that are .

In January, Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost John Liu announced two Wellness Days in the Spring 2021 semester for all main campus courses (whether in-person, hybrid or online) to support the well-being of the community. On Tuesday, March 23, and Wednesday, April 21, no classes will be held, no class work will be due and no exams will be administered. Rehearsals, music recitals, productions, filming or other hands-on activities may still take place.

Students can participate in over 45 different workshops as part of the Wellness Leadership Institute.

In a semester where health and wellness have become even more important, the Wellness Leadership Institute at the Barnes Center at The Arch centers around the complete well-being of students—mind and body.

The ’s educational workshops are helping to educate students on all the different dimensions of wellness: physical, environmental, intellectual, career, emotional, social, financial and spiritual, all while maintaining focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.

“The idea of the Wellness Leadership Institute and what it provides to students is a centralized place for a variety of different workshops and opportunities for skill building and education that address the holistic health and well-being of students,” says Katelyn Cowen, director of health promotion at the Barnes Center at the Arch.

Students can participate in over 45 different workshops with new ones being added regularly according to student needs. The workshops cover everything from alcohol safety to healthy eating on a budget.

If students participate in a workshop from all of the nine different dimensions of wellness, they can earn a Wellness Leadership Institute certificate and a graduation medallion.

Students can sign up for workshops through the . To learn more about using the Wellness Portal, students are invited to visit the . Workshops are offered live virtually, in-person [in-person activities are currently on pause, as announced last week], recorded video or in multiple of these formats, allowing students to decide which option works best for them.

If students participate in a workshop from all of the nine different dimensions of wellness, they can earn a Wellness Leadership Institute certificate and a graduation medallion.

Additionally, the institute offers the opportunity for faculty and student organizations to refer students to programs, and the institute can give attendance data back to the organization or faculty member. This can be organized through the .

“For many of our workshops, peer educators are facilitating the workshops to their peers, and that’s been a really positive experience for students to really hear from their peers who really have a great sense of what their fellow students are needing,” Cowen said.

Several workshops are both designed and delivered by , which creates a more relaxed experience for students when talking about topics that can sometimes be awkward. “It’s more so college students explaining to other college students how they can live a healthier lifestyle,” says Be Wise Peer Educator Megan Leichtman ’22.

Leichtman’s favorite presentation is one on alcohol safety. “It debunks a lot of myths about alcohol use, which we think is pretty important especially on our campus,” she says.

Some workshops that are popular among students are the Be Well SU workshop, which touches on many different aspects of wellness and offerings within the Barnes Center at The Arch, alcohol safety, anti-hazing and Stop Bias workshops.

The Wellness Leadership Institute is also open to creating new workshops on topics that students request. Students can request exploring a new workshop idea by emailing healthpromotion@syr.edu or speaking to a peer educator.

Understanding wellness is extremely important, and can have a positive effect on students’ daily lives.

“I gave some advice to people in my sorority member class about harm prevention and they used my advice,” Leichtman says. “I just remember them every year saying to the new members what I said to them, and I just thought that was cool I had such an impact.”

Upcoming Thrive! sessions—led by facilitator Jaime Weisberg, founder of Northbound Coaching & Consulting—include “Change your Habits, Change your Life” (Feb. 25 and 27) and “Other People Matter: Strengthening the Foundation of Happiness” (March 24 and 26).

More information on all spring semester workshop topics and registration links can be found on the .

“Sanvello offers a variety of tools and features, including some techniques that guide us through changing thoughts, beliefs and behaviors that may keep us stuck or prevent us from reaching our goals,” says Gwyneth Esty-Kendall, mental health promotion specialist in the Barnes Center at the Arch. “It is also a great resource if you are looking for ways to reduce stress or be introduced to mindfulness-based practices. While Sanvello is not meant to be a replacement for counseling, it is a valuable tool you can add to your health and wellness toolkit.”

Begin or continue your mindfulness journey with the top five features of the Sanvello mobile app:

Daily mood tracking

Before making changes to your emotional health, it’s helpful to monitor that health. Sanvello helps you keep tabs on what’s going on through mood tracking, daily reminders and health tracking tools. These will help you monitor your emotions and track what impacts them, ultimately giving you the tools you need to make changes.

Guided journeys

The Sanvello Guided Journeys are step-by-step audio lessons and activities based on research-backed cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. You can choose from the following journeys: feeling better, taking control, building confidence and mindfulness.

Coping tools

Sanvello’s coping tools offer ways to shift your perspective when symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression arise. Coping tools provide the platform to track thoughts, daily health habits and inspiration; there are also meditation activities and goal-setting infrastructure.

“Sanvello has been really helpful to get me into a better head space when I’m feeling overwhelmed. Whenever I’m stressed or feeling unmotivated, the guided meditations help me re-center and focus on the things I can control,” says Teagan Peacock, student communications specialist in the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience. “I especially like the hope board and journal feature. I’ll add pictures of my favorite memories and list one thing I’m grateful for every day.”

Progress assessments

Based on your mood data, Sanvello creates progress assessments to show you connections of your experiences, activities and emotions. By doing so, you can identify patterns in your emotional health, ultimately providing the opportunity to reinforce good habits and limit habits that are negative.

As a staff or faculty member, you have access to all of Sanvello’s offerings. You can also encourage students to download and use the mobile app. Any person can download the app in the or . Use your ���ϲ����� email address to access the free, premium services.

One key strategy in chronic disease prevention is eating well.

Smart Fuel Challenge

By making small changes at meals and snack time, the Smart Fuel Challenge will help reboot participants’ eating habits. These changes can make a big difference in helping to feel great and stay energized throughout the day.

This is a four-week (Sept. 27-Oct. 25), email-based challenge open to all faculty and staff. Registration deadline is Sept. 24.

Each challenge email will come on Friday, so participants have the weekend to plan and prepare for the week ahead. Check in is Monday morning. Participants who complete each challenge and check in on time will be entered to win prizes, with three random prize winners selected each week:

• Week 1: reusable silicone storage bags
• Week 2: a glass meal prep container
• Week 3: a mini bamboo cutting board
• Week 4: an orange and grey collapsible colander

From all who complete the challenge, one grand prize winner will be selected to receive a prize basket of a colander, a bamboo cutting board, reusable silicone bags and a meal prep bowl.

Plant-Based Cooking Demo and Light Lunch

Whether it’s a meatless meal once a week or eating mostly plants at every meal, a plant-powered diet has many benefits for one’s health—better nutrition, weight management and a healthier heart to name a few.

Join the Wellness Team for a cooking demonstration with light lunch samples on Monday, Sept. 30, from noon to 1 p.m. in 204 Falk College (ACE Center). In addition to the tastings, printed recipes will be distributed for participants to take home and try on their own.

Space is limited. Registration deadline is Sept. 24. Cost is $5; check should be payable to ���ϲ����� and sent to: Wellness Initiative, Skytop Office Building, Suite 101.

Concepts will build upon one another throughout the series, but each session is meant to stand on its own and attendees can join in at any time.

The first four sessions are as follows, with more coming in the first part of 2020:

• “From Surviving to THRIVING: What Science Says about Living Your Best Life”:
  Tuesday, Sept. 24, (114 Bird Library) or Thursday, Sept. 26, (202 Skytop Office Building)
• “Primed for Positivity: Cultivating Optimism & the Benefits of Positive Emotion”
  Tuesday, Oct. 22, (114 Bird Library) or Thursday, Oct. 24, (202 Skytop Office Building)
• “What’s Right With You: Uncovering & Utilizing Your Strengths”
  Tuesday, Nov. 19, (114 Bird Library) or Thursday, Nov. 21, (202 Skytop Office Building)
• “Slowing Down to Speed Up: Mindfulness, Meditation & Savoring”
  Tuesday, Dec. 10, (114 Bird Library) or Thursday, Dec. 12, (202 Skytop Office Building)

All sessions take place from noon to 1 p.m. To learn more or to sign up for a session that interests you, visit the .

Students build upper body strength on the 48-foot climbing wall, now open at the Barnes Center at The Arch.

This week marks the next phase of expanded health and wellness in the Barnes Center at The Arch with programming to help you Be Active at ���ϲ�����.

With the start of the academic year, fitness floors in the Barnes Center at The Arch opened. Since the beginning of classes, over 25,000 people have swiped in to use the new fitness facility. This is in addition to those who have swung by the Barnes Center at The Arch for various other health and wellness needs, including grabbing a smoothie at Otto’s Juice Box, updating health immunizations, spending time in the Crowley Family MindSpa or seeing a counselor.

The possibilities are multiplying at the Barnes Center at The Arch as construction continues to create new experiences at ���ϲ�����. Now, people can partake in the following services at the state-of-the-art health and wellness complex:

1. are a new, free service for ���ϲ����� and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) student I.D. holders. Participants can register on the����24 hours before the class. Be on the lookout for aerobic, aqua, cycle, mind & body and x-training drop-in fitness classes.
2. The �Ա���� features two 48-foot-tall climbing walls, an expansive bouldering area, a rappel platform and a variety of different skill clinics to choose from for climbers of all skill levels.
3. The Multi-Activity Sport Court is available for use every day of the week for activities such as indoor soccer and roller hockey. Special programming can be scheduled through the Wellness Portal.
4. An indoor track is now open at the Barnes Center at the Arch and can be used seven days a week.
5. Four new basketball courts are up and running. Open every day of the week, the gymnasium has already become a popular spot for pick-up basketball. Special programming can be scheduled through the Wellness Portal.

When you visit the Barnes Center at The Arch, be sure to check out the facilities’ other offerings. New to the University, The is in full swing and offers pet therapy on Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To stay up to date on Barnes Center at The Arch offerings, head to�� and follow @BeWellSU��on��,�������Ի���. For questions, contact the Barnes Center at The Arch at 315.443.8000 or email��barnescenter@syr.edu.

The Women’s Building fitness facility, which served as the interim space for recreation during construction of the Barnes Center at The Arch, no longer houses any fitness equipment. The Women’s Building pool is still open.

The good news is that by committing to lifestyle changes, one can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and in some cases even eliminate prediabetes altogether.

���ϲ����� is partnering with the YMCA of Central New York to bring a proven, evidence-based Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) pilot to eligible faculty and staff this fall.

Come learn more

To learn more about the DPP and see if you qualify, attend one of the following :

• Thursday, Sept. 19, from noon to 12:30 p.m. at 114 Bird Library
• Friday, Sept. 20, from noon to 12:30 p.m. at 202 Skytop Office Building
• Monday, Sept. 23, from noon to 12:30 p.m. at 411 Whitman School Building
• Wednesday, Sept. 25, from noon to 12:30 p.m. at 209 Huntington Beard Crouse Hall

Ready to commit?

The DPP pilot requires a one-year commitment with a mandatory orientation session on Oct. 9, followed by 16 weekly sessions from Oct. 16 through Feb. 17. After 16 weeks, the frequency of sessions is reduced to every other week, then once per month for the remainder of the year-long period.

In a small-group environment, participants will get peer support while learning how to eat healthier, increase their physical activity and lose weight. To help achieve exercise goals, participants will receive a free YMCA family membership for the first 20 weeks of the program.

Visit the to see eligibility requirements, learn more or express interest in participating.

We would think nothing of walking from Henninger High School to the baseball stadium for opening day, then walk back home after the game! Walking to and from school was the norm, and it honestly didn’t bother me. It was a time to decompress, sort out my thoughts, or catch up with my friends.

I never had a car, so the walking continued through my teenage years. Most weekends, just before curfew, I would sprint, bolt, stroll and, on some occasions, stumble home before the door was locked. Between school and my social life, I would easily walk at least four miles daily.

Fast forward to now. My car has replaced my legs for transportation, and my lifestyle doesn’t allow for a lot of extra time to walk, run or stroll during my typical day.

I decided to use the Orange on the Move Challenge as a way to jump-start my walking, make it a consistent part of my day, and ultimately find the joy walking brought me as a kid.

My Plan

Step 1: I always like to start with the essentials—new sneakers! You absolutely cannot enjoy walking without the proper footwear. So priority one was a well-fitting, good-looking pair of sneakers. These are mine:

Step 2: Remember to pack said sneakers when going to work every day!

Step 3: Find a walking buddy. This is absolutely not crucial. However, I have found that walking and talking is great therapy. My walking buddy and I have a rule: what is said on the walk stays on the walk. Plus, it is more difficult to skip the walk when you have a walking buddy to hold you accountable!

Step 4: I make it a goal to find something beautiful every time I go out for a walk. This small challenge requires me to pay attention while looking for the one thing that will make me smile while walking.

Step 5: Put the walk on my schedule. Just like a regular meeting, scheduling time to walk is one sure way to get it done. No excuses!

When Plan A Doesn’t Work, Go to Plan B

Best laid plans don’t always work out, especially when living in ���ϲ�����, where Mother Nature has a sense of humor. In order to get those steps in even on the days that I don’t get out for a scheduled walk, I have found ways to sneak in extra steps.

Step 1: Park in the farthest spot in the lot. This is my car:

It doesn’t seem like a lot, but these steps add up. I remind myself that I am fortunate to be able to walk, and this may not always be the case. So for now, I will park far away and enjoy the extra steps. When I have meetings on campus (my office is at the Food Services Commissary south of campus), I park in a lot farthest from my destination and walk to all of my appointments.

Step 2: Take the stairs. Some days this just plain hurts! It does get easier. By walking the stairs instead of taking the elevator, I have found that I have more energy to do other things in my daily routine.

Step 3: Walk through the neighborhood after dinner. Not only is this a great way to get to know your neighbors a little better, it is fun to look at everyone’s landscaping this time of year.

My Results? I’m finding a bit of skip in my step when walking down the hall. I’m also able to run, not drag myself up the stairs at home to grab those sneakers that I almost forgot to bring to work! There are days when getting the 10,000 steps seems like a breeze, and there are days where the steps refuse to add up. I’m finding that my walking days have become more frequent, and I feel the kid in me shining through. This has helped me to stay motivated and keep walking!

This is the healthy gift basket available in the prize drawing for those who complete the Sugar Savvy Challenge.

Let’s kick added sugar to the curb!

Did you know that the average American consumes 19 teaspoons of added sugar every day? That translates into about 66 pounds of added sugar consumed each year, per person.

Faculty and staff are invited to join the Sugar Savvy challenge: a three-week, self-paced email challenge designed to help participants become more sugar savvy and provide strategies to get started ditching the added sugar. Each week, participants will work on ways to sip smarter, tame sugar cravings and shake up snacks.

Everyone who completes the challenge will be entered into a prize drawing for a healthy gift basket.

“How to Have the Difficult Conversations (Elder Care)” is Thursday, Dec. 6, from noon to 12:45 p.m. in the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons, 114 Bird Library. The workshop will cover four challenging topics of continuing to drive, medical issues, living arrangements and planning for the future. It will explore ways to prepare and start what may be a difficult conversation and convey solid communication strategies to help move the conversation along. for the workshop is open now.

The “Raising Resilient Children” webinar if Friday, Dec. 7, from noon to 1 p.m. online. Each day, children face changes and challenges that can improve or compromise their resiliency. This webinar offers strategies to help children make healthy decisions, increase self-esteem and develop stress management skills. for the webinar is available via Carebridge. Closed captioning will be provided using��.

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program provided by Carebridge is available 24/7/365 and can help individuals adjust to life’s challenges: whether it’s assistance with identifying care for a child or an elder, needing help with finances or counseling for coping with emotional issues involving grief, stress or relationship conflicts.��To access confidential services at any time, call Carebridge at 1.800.437.0911.

To learn more about Carebridge eligibility and services, visit .

For questions about the SU Wellness Initiative, email wellness@syr.edu or call 315.443.5472.

The ���ϲ����� Wellness Initiative is sponsoring a webinar to help individuals assess their sleep patterns, find out about the connection between stress and sleep, and learn about techniques that can improve one’s sleep habits.

The “Why Sleep is So Important: Tips for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep” webinar is Friday, Oct. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is via Carebridge. Those unable to join the live webinar may visit the after Oct. 19 to view a recorded version.

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program provided by Carebridge is available 24/7/365 and can help individuals adjust to life’s challenges. Whether you need assistance identifying care for a child or an elder; need help with your finances; or desire assistance in coping with an emotion issues such as grief, stress or relationship conflicts, Carebridge can help.�� To access confidential services at any time, call Carebridge at 1.800.437.0911.

To learn more about Carebridge eligibility and services, visit

Questions? Email wellness@syr.edu or call 315.443.5472.

For more information and details on the, visit the . There is also a weekly newsletter offering stress management tools, tips on how to stay active and delicious plant-based recipes. Sign up is via the website.

“Saving for Your Ideal Retirement” is Monday, March 20, from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. in 304 ABC, Schine Student Center. No matter where you are in life, you can plan and save for the retirement you want. Learn how to create an effective plan to help you pursue your long-term financial goals.��This session will assist you with determining how much money you will need in retirement and how to create a plan to ensure you’re saving enough to meet your needs. Register .

“A Retirement Checkup” is Wednesday, April 5, from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. in 304 ABC, Schine Student Center. Don’t let retirement sneak up on you. Give your retirement savings strategy a checkup and learn steps to��determine if you are on track for the retirement you want or if adjustments may be helpful. It’s never too early or late to assess how you’re doing on your retirement savings goals. Register .

If you require accommodations for any of the above sessions, contact the Wellness Initiative at 315.443.5472 or wellness@syr.edu.

TIAA offers personalized financial planning services to help you reach your retirement goals. TIAA consultants are available to meet one-on-one with you, on campus or at their ���ϲ����� office. You can also receive advice online and by phone. To speak with a TIAA financial consultant, or to schedule an on-campus retirement planning session, call 855.842.CUSE (2873), or����today. As part of your SU benefits package, this service is available at no cost to you.

Participants are advised to wear comfortable clothes, bring water and a yoga mat (or towel for body toning).

For more details, visit .

Questions? Email wellness@syr.edu or call 315.443.5472.

If you are a ���ϲ����� faculty or staff member and want to make a difference, consider joining the Wellness Champion Network to help spread the word about programs, services and activities designed to help SU faculty and staff live their best, healthiest life every day.

Working together we can create a healthier campus community!

Visit for more details!

. The next meeting is Jan. 24.

Questions? Email wellness@syr.edu or call 315.443.5472.

to stay up to date on the latest wellness events.

Brought to you by the ���ϲ����� Wellness Initiative

“The University is committed to the total well-being of faculty, staff and other members of our global community,” says Andrew R. Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “Expanding the program benefits to include our colleagues in Europe helps everyone feel valued, supported and connected to each other.”

The alliance with Chestnut Global Partners, which is associated with Carebridge, enables the University to offer world-class support services suited to the evolving needs of a global institution.

In addition to independent, confidential, local counseling, Carebridge/Chestnut Global Partners offers:

• six confidential, free face-to-face or phone counseling sessions;
• online and telephone support in a variety of work-life areas such as child and elder care, personal finance, parenting and smoking cessation, among others; and
• on-site crisis intervention, counseling and support in the event of an emergency.

“The extension of these services to faculty and staff in Europe shows that the University recognizes and values the important role that these individuals play in the education of ���ϲ����� students and in the international reputation of the University,” says Raymond Bach, director of ���ϲ����� Strasbourg.

European employees who have questions regarding the program benefits offered with Chestnut Global Partners can contact representatives directly at syr@chestnut.org or contact Gail Grozalis, executive director of wellness for faculty and staff, at 315.443.4193.

Employees who work in the United States and have questions regarding Carebridge can learn more on the website or the Carebridge website at using access code is WY6CE.