October Well-being Newsletter: #MacMoves Week
The first week of October is #MacMoves Week. #MacMoves is a McMaster-wide initiative created to promote an active and healthy campus. We are offering unique activities, educating on health and fitness, and highlighting opportunities throughout the entire campus to get active! Incorporating movement into our days can be a challenge, and “getting active” means something different to everyone.
Workplace Well-being is proud to partner with the Department of Athletics and Recreation, Student Wellness Centre, Alumni Engagement, the McMaster Students Union, and the McMaster Okanagan Committee to deliver the #MacMoves movement on campus – supporting and encouraging the McMaster community to engage in activity and to ‘Move More’. Being active is unique to each person, based on their interest and ability. It is whatever works best for you. Please look at our events listings below for events during #MacMoves Week. For more information on additional events and initiatives please visit the McMaster Okanagan Office of Health & Well-being website.
Upcoming Learning Opportunities:
MacMoves Presents: The McMaster – Rail Trail Bike Ride!
October 2, 2023, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Join us for on October 2 for a bike ride on the local rail trail with members of the McMaster Community. A no-drop (everyone stays together) ride exploring the local rail trail located next to McMaster University. Beginner-Moderate fitness and bike handling skills required. The bike ride will start at 6:00 p.m., departing from the BSB field. 10-15 km/h pace throughout the ride.
MacMoves Presents: The Ergonomic Workstation Fair
October 3, 2023, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
The Ergonomic Workstation Fair is brought to you by the Healthy Workplace Committee as a part of MacMoves Week 2023. The fair is an event dedicated to promoting a healthier and more productive work environment. Hosted in the Health Science Library, this fair is designed to empower students, faculty and staff with the tools and knowledge that are needed to create ergonomic workplaces that foster well-being. All members of the McMaster community are invited to visit this fair for a unique and valuable learning experience.
Pull4Mac Bus Pull
October 5, 2023, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The McMaster Community Engagement Committee invites you to participate in the 8th Annual Pull4Mac Bus Pull. Teams are encouraged to register, raise money, and work together to pull a McMaster Shuttle Bus 100 feet to the finish line to kick off the McMaster United Way Campaign.
The Working Mind Mental Health Training for Employees
October 12, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Working Mind (TMW) is an evidence-based training, developed to initiate a shift in the way you think, act, and feel about mental health. It was designed to provide practical knowledge and skills to address mental health and mental illness in the workplace. It is intended for employees who do not manage other employees.
Three Core Modules offer foundational content focusing on increasing self-awareness and taking care of your own mental health. An additional Leader Module is offered in the People Leader course that offers specific content focusing on helping leaders support the mental health of their team members.
In Person Fall Yoga Series
October 26, 2023-December 7, 2023, from 12:05 pm – 12:50 pm
Join us for weekly yoga classes, held in David Braley Athletic Centre. Classes are 45 minutes, and employees can attend any number of them using the same registration.
The Working Mind Mental Health Training for Employees
November 9, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Working Mind (TMW) is an evidence-based training, developed to initiate a shift in the way you think, act, and feel about mental health. It was designed to provide practical knowledge and skills to address mental health and mental illness in the workplace. It is intended for employees who do not manage other employees.
Three Core Modules offer foundational content focusing on increasing self-awareness and taking care of your own mental health. An additional Leader Module is offered in the People Leader course that offers specific content focusing on helping leaders support the mental health of their team members.
—
Department Spotlight: Let’s Move Challenge!
W Booth School of Engineering Practice & Technology
5,000 minimum steps, 30 minutes of continuous movement a day, and 45-minute weekly walks at lunch. These were the parameters for the Booth’s School’s recently wrapped “Let’s Move” challenge – a voluntary wellness challenge that inspired faculty and staff in the School to intentionally focus on movement and well-being.
From May 15 to August 11, participants were encouraged to keep track of their movement – be it walking, cycling, working out or more- while capturing the moments with photographs.
The driving force behind this initiative? – Me. I wanted to promote living a healthy lifestyle within the workplace. I used this initiative to find a way for staff and faculty members in the School to come together in fun and competitive way.
The results? Our team really did get moving! Each month, participants convened for a luncheon where we celebrated the ‘top movers’ for the month – those who really knocked it out of the park with their numbers. One standout participant was Robert Fleisig who, in week 2 of the challenge walked an incredible 158263 steps while on vacation in Europe! As well, Booth School Director, Brian Baetz showed determination and stayed consistent throughout the challenge, tracking an impressive 3075 minutes of continuous movement in July!
Read what some participants had to say:
Administrative Assistant, (Undergraduate) Deepa Shetty
“The most rewarding aspect of the challenge was feeling good because of the surge of endorphins brought about by increased movement. There is a great camaraderie in the team, and it was evident at the luncheon. It was refreshing to listen to views on food, exercise, love, life!”
Director, Brian Baetz
“I really appreciated the Let’s Move Challenge. I have been a regular runner for 50 years, and over the pandemic I became equally enamoured with long walks at a fairly good pace. …… The LM Challenge has made me want to get fitter and stronger, and we’ll see how that works out! The lunches were fun and engaging, as it is always lovely to chat with students and the folks who make the Booth School run!”
Financial Coordinator, Ginny Riddell
“The most rewarding aspect of the Challenge was reaching my “been trying forever” goal weight and I succeeded! I stayed motivated because I am very competitive, and the Challenge got me up and moving. I was inspired and I have continued to try to keep up with the number of steps that I had been using during the Challenge. It was great to sit and talk to my colleagues in person at the lunches, some of whom I had not even chatted with before, so that was a great bonus. Oh, and great food at the final lunch, thank you!”
Team Lead, Academic Programs, Jim Morrison
I found it very cool to see how everyone in the department became involved and excited with fitness. Some of those numbers were very impressive! Fitness is an important part of my life. It’s a major way I destress. Even a simple walk in the evening clears my head, helps me sleep, and many more benefits. This alone is all I needed to stay with it. I accepted a long time ago that fitness is a lifelong journey and I have no intentions of stopping now! This was a very nice step along the way.
“Let’s Move” culminated in a luncheon on August 16 to celebrate and recognize the dedication of its participants. Thank you to my colleagues for your participation and the continual motivation and inspiring me to work these wellness practices into my routine year-round.
I hope this inspires you to get your team moving this year!
– Michele Vaz, Business Manager, W Booth School of Engineering Practice & Technology
If you are or your department is interested in submitting a spotlight story, please contact wellbeing@mcmaster.ca