Theme: Wellbeing

This are a wide range of University of Cambridge benefits from wellbeing to help with child care, rental deposits, bicycle and car hire schemes to shopping and insurance discounts. There is something for everyone. This talk will also provide details of the 'Financial Wellbeing' initiative which the University will launch in the Lent term.

Join Cambridge's Science Comedy Troupe, The Variables, for an hour of stand-up. Come and see the funny side of life in and out of the lab, how the universe seems to have it in for physicists, and everything!

Nordic Walking is suitable for everyone and:

• Uses 90% of the skeletal muscles
• Burns 20-40% more Calories than walking
• Lessens the impact on knees and joints
• Is great for neck, shoulders and back
• Combines exercise and being in the outdoors, which has been proven to boost mood and relieve stress.

Come and try Nordic Walking with instructor Samantha Godfrey. A fun session is guaranteed!

Ever thought about trying Pilates? The health benefits of Pilates include improved flexibility. increased muscle strength and tone, particularly of your abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and buttocks (the 'core muscles' of your body).When not try this free taster session with Ros Mulvany.

Stretch and unwind with this free yoga class provided by Ros Mulvany. Incorporating yoga into your daily routine can help enhance your health, increase strength and flexibility and reduce symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety.

A talk specifically for Research/ Academic Staff by Liz Simmonds from the University Careers Service.

Studies show that people who manage stress and adversity best, have 3Cs in common: commitment, control and challenge. It is the combination of these three that constitutes resilience. We will explore the 3Cs to help you further develop attitudes and strategies to cultivate and facilitate resilience for current issues that you face.

According to research, UK workers are spending most of their day sitting down with the average time being 9 hours a day. This includes, sitting at work, sitting on the commute, sitting to eat and even sitting for recreational activities such as TV watching, reading or going to the cinema.

Too much sitting has many ramifications: lower back pain, muscle degeneration, tight hips/shoulders etc.

This is a low intensity mainly floor based exercise session, led by Tristan Coles of the University Sports Centre.

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A session for Postdocs and what the OPdA can offer as support to the Postdoc community.

‘Let's talk about the mental health stigma in academia’ on Postdocs' Work and Family Life Series

This OPdA event will be a panel session about mental health problems among academics.

A recent report indicated that; 'In large-scale surveys, UK higher education staff have reported worse wellbeing than staff in other types of employment (including education, and health and social work) in the areas of work demands, change management, the support provided by managers and clarity about one's role.'*

Speakers

Amber Ruigrok and Nicole Horst

Come and enjoy a free Tai Chi class. There is much more to tai chi than one can see, and virtually no one can describe such a complex art in one simple sentence. It can be a meditation and an integral exercise for all parts of the body and the mind. It brings tranquillity and helps you think more clearly. Numerous studies have shown tai chi improves muscular strength, flexibility, fitness, improve immunity, relieve pain and improve quality of life. http://taichiofcambridge.com/

THE BRAINFIT WORKOUT (TM) is a stress reducing positivity workout using movement, music and meditation with powerful affirmations.

We know that stress is a major culprit in the onset of health problems and diseases. It's also the reason many people are unable to lose bodyfat, especially aorund the mid section. Negative thought patterns and self-talk affect the whole body chemistry so THE BRAINFIT WORKOUT (TM) helps retrain that inner voice using powerful affirmations and mantras. The organisers say "it is truly the next generation of Group Fitness class fusing beautifully mind, body and spirit".

If you battle negative self-talk, suffer from psychological or physical stress, need to lower the fat storing and stress hormone Cortisol, want a softer approach to fitness, want a holistic approach to health and fitness, enjoy having fun in a group exercise class, you may benefit from this class.

A talk by Dr Miriam Lynn

This thought provoking session enables staff to gain an understanding of the importance of recognising our bias and to begin thinking about the impact of our own bias in relation to the decisions we make and how we interact with colleagues and students.

The University Staff Counselling Service is offering this workshop for all staff, to be led by Rosemary Parkinson By attending this workshop you will learn

• why you feel anxious and stressed and what is happening in your body
• what you can do about anxiety in the short-term
• how to spot medium and longer term symptoms of stress in yourself and others
• how to take responsibility for yourself when stressed
• sources of support in the university and outside

The session will be for a one hour duration with 15 minutes at the end for Q&A.

This running session will be organised by Helen Marshall and Richard King and will appeal to runners at different levels from beginners to more experienced runners. The activities will commence with a quick briefing and words of encouragement (in the first year lab). Runners will be provided with route information and the groups will have a group lead who will ensure that everyone is encouraged and walking/jogging or running at their level..

Depending on the level of interest 3 choices are proposed as follows:

1/ A 2km (roughly 1 mile) walk/jog which is aimed at people who don’t normally go jogging. The simple aim being to complete the very achievable distance. 2/ A 4km (roughly 2 mile) jog for people who feel able to keep running but at a nice slow pace. The aim being to complete the distance without stopping. 3/ A 5km run for experienced runners.

Please indicate which option you are interested in when booking.

After the event we will all meet up for a cup of tea.

In this 1 hour session learn;

• Establish a method that works for you to enhance focus for the most important work (Deep Work)
• Reduce distraction and prioritise more effectively
• Establish one daily Protective Pause, to relieve stress, reduce self criticism and strengthen resilience - mini mindfulness
• Create the space to recognise your achievements each day - increase self awareness and confidence

The Benefits:

• Protect yourself from distraction to enhance focus
• Plan effectively to spend more time on Deep Work (the stuff that matters) and less time on Shallow Work (overwhelming admin)
• Protect time for higher cognitive tasks - the challenging stuff
• Create valuable perspective to respond more effectively

Enhance focus, reduce stress and strengthen resilience. All techniques proven by science.

This course is about recharging your communication. It will cover:

• Determine what effective communication means. Where do we start?
• How to strengthen the relationships most important to us; work & home
• Defusing difficult conversations; How to respond to difficult behaviour
• The power of Active Listening to understand and communicate meaning more effectively

It’s no secret that work/life balance has been a struggle for millions of people over the last decade. However since lockdowns were introduced it’s become more acute for the majority. Demands have increased, time has been squeezed, stress has risen. Big parts of our life changed very quickly including how we work and maintain relationships with those we care about.

Understandably we need some time to adjust, to find a routine that allows us to focus, complete the important work and recover. We can’t give what we don’t have. We all need time to recharge effectively to help us feel good and perform well.

Join this one hour session to;

• Learn the importance of fully disconnecting from work to reduce stress and recharge focus - science perspective
• Understand how work bleeds into home life in hidden ways and steps we can take to prevent this
• Create a simple mini routine to help you effectively switch off from work
• Practice a mini mindfulness technique to help manage negative thoughts and get perspective

The session is followed by a three day Nudge Course.

For 48 hours following the session you will have the opportunity to contact Joy, a mental health nurse with over 40 years experience. Joy's role is to 'listen' and signpost onto a recognised next step. Contact details will be provided on the day.

Enhance focus, reduce stress and strengthen resilience. All techniques proven by science.

The course aims to promote an understanding of mental health and ill health in a workplace setting and equip managers with increased awareness and confidence to recognise and manage signs of stress and mental health ill health. We cover risk and protective factors, stress, signs and symptoms of common mental health problems and psychosis. The course sets this in a workplace context considering opportunities to increase support and examine workplace culture and good practice.

Content/Topics

• What is mental health?
• Risk and protective factors
• Recognising stress and overload
• Stigma and discrimination
• Common mental health problems (anxiety disorders and depression)
• Increase awareness of suicide risk and appropriate support
• Understanding psychosis and recovery
• Mental health in the workplace
• Managerial drivers and responsibilities
• Offering support and signposting to available professional help
• Self-help and self-care
• To gain an understanding of mental health and mental ill health

Please Note: It is important that when you book on this course, on your booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process to import the course appointment into your calendar.

This session will be run by an external provider: http://www.getmentalhealth.co.uk/

Come and spend time with some well trained dogs. Pets as Therapy (PAT) is a national charity founded in 1983 whose vision is to ensure that everyone in the UK, no matter what their circumstances, has access to the companionship of a friendly pet.

A few dedicated volunteers from the charity will be bringing along their temperament assessed pets for you to stroke, pet and spend time with.

Therapeutic visits by PAT Teams can bring comfort and companionship, stimulate conversation, encourage movement and social interaction and help improve mental health and wellbeing. They can also help to reduce stress levels.

Please Note: It is important that when you book on this course, on your booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process to import the course appointment into your calendar.

Yoga with Daisy Worzencraft is primarily about having fun, giving things a go, and trying - with a sense of humour and a smile on your face! It's a non competitive practice, with modifications for different levels. All she asks is that you try, and that you practice with a sense of pleasure and enjoyment, rather than expectation, frustration and tension.

For Daisy, Yoga has been a consistent friend in her life - especially in times of need - and had nothing to do with perfecting poses!

Please Note: It is important that when you book on this course, on your booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process to import the course appointment into your calendar.

School of Clinical Medicine Employees are invited to attend a 20 minute massage by Lucy Hall Massage.

Seated Massage, or ‘chair massage’, is performed while you are seated in a specially designed massage chair. The massage chair is designed for you to rest slightly forward with your arms and legs supported. It also has a face cradle to support your head.

In the 20 minute massages we do Swedish massage including; Head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, lower & middle back, and glutes. Your massage therapist Katerina will work your muscles and knots through your clothes and adapt the massage to exactly what the customer needs or wants.

Please Note: It is important that when you book on this course, on your booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process to import the course appointment into your calendar.

Come along to our Good Mood Café, to spend time with others and share thoughts, interests and wellbeing tips in a welcoming and safe space.

You don’t need to be in a good mood to come along to our Good Mood Cafe – but we hope everyone will leave feeling more connected with others than when they arrived.

Please Note: It is important that when you book on this course, on your booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process to import the course appointment into your calendar.

You are welcome to join our hour-long webinar, to explore aspects and understanding of loneliness and share suggestions and ideas that could help in addressing and managing the times when we feel lonely.

Please Note: It is important that when you book on this course, on your booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process to import the course appointment into your calendar.

This Zoom session gives the therapist the opportunity to discuss and diagnose any pain you are dealing with and recommend suitable treatment that will help ease or eliminate your discomfort. This session also allow the therapist to review your home working set up and see how you’re utilising your equipment and offer advice on better mindfulness whilst working. We are here to give you as much help and support as we can in any area of pain, posture or general health.

In these weird times, don't make it worse by getting Carpal Tunnel or Tennis Elbow from uncomfortable typing! most of us type at least 40 words per minute, which is quite a lot of exercise for the forearm muscles that make your fingers type! You should always be comfortable, whatever you are typing, it should feel easy.

Did you know you can get Carpal Tunnel, Golfers Elbow and tennis elbow from intense typing on a Regular basis? Think - does your forearms hurt when typing? Are you overstretching your hands over your keyboard? Are you shoulders up round your ears?

40% of the clientele we work with have forearm injuries from typing in the wrong position.

The ideal way to type is to use your PALMS instead of your wrist as palms have less sensitive nerves. You should always feel comfortable when typing

Symptoms of RSI Burning, aching or shooting pain. · Tremors, clumsiness and numbness. · Fatigue or lack of strength. · Weakness in the hands or forearms. ... · Difficulty with normal activities like opening doors, chopping vegetables, turning on a tap.

Please Note: It is important that when you book on this course, on your booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process to import the course appointment into your calendar.

The Plant Swap is the perfect event for new or experienced plant lovers. Bring along your own healthy houseplants, succulents, cactus plants, seedlings, surplus seeds and shrubs to swap with colleagues.

Whether you have a flower pot, a balcony, a small garden, a large garden, a community garden, a school garden, space in your living room, bedroom, kitchen or bathroom, or even your office at work, or just an interest in finding out more, come along - we'll be here to swap and chat!

Rules:

1. Bring a pest-free beautiful plant for trade

2. They can be potted or bare root, as long as you're prepared to part with them. Labelling your plant is useful

3. Remember to bring your own container to travel home with your new plants.

Let's get the Clinical School's plant community together!

Please Note: It is important that when you book on this course, on your booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process to import the course appointment into your calendar.

University of Cambridge mental health researcher, Dr. Olivia Remes will show you:

• New ways to take back control of your life based on science

• Research-backed strategies to beat procrastination and let go of distraction

In this brand new talk, Dr. Olivia will show you how you can turn your life around by adopting simple strategies to help you stop putting things off and get motivated. She will show you how to let go of thinking patterns holding you back from taking action and start living the life you want.

If you’d like to come to this talk, please sign up early as spots tend to fill up fast.

About the speaker: Dr. Olivia Remes' work has been featured by the BBC , Forbes magazine, and USA Today. She is also a life coach and her book is called ‘This Is How You Grow After Trauma’, which contains science-based strategies for helping people bounce back from problems in life. Last summer, she is teaching people how to beat procrastination at Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place Festival.

Please Note: It is important that when you book on this course, on your booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process to import the course appointment into your calendar.

Time to Talk Day 2020 is an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness of mental health issues and advocate against social stigma.

As part of the UIS Wellbeing initiative we are very pleased to invite Hisham Ziauddeen a Clinical Senior Research Associate in the Department of Psychiatry and the University’s Wellbeing and Disability Champion to deliver a talk on Optimising Brain Functioning. He is a consultant psychiatrist working in early intervention in psychosis.

He will talk about how we model other minds and how we manage the cost of mental functioning. He will particularly discuss the impact of work and other stress and the phenomenon of burnout. These are complex problems that don’t have simple solutions but there are a range of things that may help and these will be discussed along the way.

What is the Search Inside Yourself programme?

The Search Inside Yourself (SIY) programme will teach emotional intelligence skills that lead to sustained peak performance, strong collaboration, and effective leadership.

Search Inside Yourself was born at Google from a dream to change the world. It began in 2007 when a team of leading experts in mindfulness, neuroscience and emotional intelligence developed an internal course for fellow Google employees. It quickly became an incredibly popular training program within Google as well as other corporate, non-profit and government organisations around the world

The mindfulness and emotional intelligence skills you'll learn will help you:

• Experience greater well-being, resilience and stress management
• Improve performance, collaboration and empathy
• Increase effectiveness and decision-making capacity
• Cultivate innovative, creative thinking
• Build more effective relationships

The Wellbeing Team invite UIS staff to join them for an open discussion on stress management. The group discussion will provide the opportunity to share thoughts, ideas and techniques for managing stress. Participants from the recent Search Inside Yourself training event will share some of their learnings from the wellbeing training programme.