Albuquerque Public Schools
April 2024 Employee Wellness Newsletter
Active April Spring Fling activities, on-going APS employee wellness programs and the latest trends in health and wellness news.
Wellness Wire - Response to Environment
A muscle’s response to pressure is to break down and rebuild stronger, bigger, and better than before. It doesn’t matter what tool provides the force - whether dumbbell, cable, kettlebell, or the body. The muscle responds to the environment it’s given. And so do we - for better or worse, we respond to the pressures of our environment as well.
When our bodies feel a release from exercise, trigger point, or massage therapy, it can be both painful and relaxing. I’ve known people over the years who have asked me why they sometimes feel like crying during our weight training sessions. (Don’t laugh. I swear my classes don’t typically bring people to tears!:)
I tell them it’s a physiological release. A response to our internal environment we aren’t fully, consciously aware of.
A while ago, I read an article written by a massage therapist who used the phrase "Our tissues have issues". Our muscles can hold emotional pain and stress, which can be released under pressure. The same muscles that help us move throughout the day - walking, bending, squatting, even hugging - get stronger under pressure but also hold on to our emotional trauma, worry, and anxiety.
Our emotional and mental well-being isn't just in our heads and hearts. It's fully integrated into the fibers of our being.
Response to environmental pressure can be a good thing. It can mean growth in many aspects of our physical and psychological well-being. But the release is equally important. A key point here is that we are given the resources, tools, and understanding to physically and emotionally move through the process of breaking down, building back, and releasing.
We have an internal environment and an external environment. Both are connected and affect our well-being in profound ways.
There are elements of our environment we may be able to change and those we simply can't. We can, however, change our response to them. We can be like that simple muscle; allowing growth and release.
I’m referring to our environment as it pertains to our mental, emotional, and physical well-being—things like stress, illness, anxiety, depression, and injury as well as peace, calm, and joy. As well as our personal and professional external surroundings, social structures, conflict, communication, and workplace culture.
Let’s be honest, we don’t always respond to the stresses of our internal or external environment and the people who inhabit it in the most healthful, positive, and compassionate ways. This can manifest and lead to more discourse, conflict, discontent, depression, anxiety, and even physical illness and pain.
My encouragement for you this week is to take time and reflect on how your environment is supporting you. Is it enabling growth, release, and rest? Also, think about the environment we create for colleagues and staff. Our workplace environment - aka culture - impacts our collective success and well-being. We can nurture our environment for mental and physical well-being through intentional actions like meditation, exercise, and making space for the people and activities that bring us joy. We can also cultivate collective well-being and growth by planting seeds of belonging, support, and communication that encourage personal and professional growth. But more importantly, it gives space and grace when release is needed.
This "Active April" month has been focused on mindset shifts from merely existing; moving through monotone days, to full-on living and enjoying the people, places, and activities that bring us joy, relieve stress, and feed our souls. Grasping the difference starts with recognizing our responses to the personal and professional environments we inhabit. If you need resources in this direction, APS Employee Wellness offers free health coaching, therapy and counseling services, and more. Keep scrolling below for more information. If you have questions, or to schedule a Benefits Bootcamp, email Becky MacGregor at becky.macgregor@aps.edu. Thank you!
Away with the woes of winter, I am in a Spring Fling! On my way to Summer Wonders. With winter far behind, Summer is on my mind!" JoAnne Shadday
As we start April our motivation can still wax and wane like the Spring weather we typically experience in New Mexico. In keeping with our 2024 phrase of the year, our motivation for April is to be intentional and active with our mindsets by creating moments of joy and things to look forward to every day that enhance our well-being and relieve stress.
There's something about the rebirth of nature in Spring that sparks a renewed sense of energy and excitement in us. Sure, we get bursts of chill but the smell of warmer days is in the air and our internal clock adjusts to longer evenings. Perfect timing for an "Active April Spring Fling" focus across APS!
So, as we feel invigorated with each new warming day and blossoming flower, join some of these fun Spring Fling activities!
1. Wellness at Work/Virgin Pulse Program
Movement and mindset challenges on focus and energy starting with a "Weekend Walk-Off" April 13-14. These challenges go through our Wellness at Work/Virgin Pulse well-being platform. All invites will be sent through the APS Employee Wellness "group" on that platform. (Under "social" search "groups".)
- For instructions on how to join the Wellness at Work Program go to the APS Employee Wellness Incentive page.
2. April 10-24 on-site parking lot, or track, "Walk the Loop" contests - The weather is beautiful (at least sporadically;) so grab a colleague and walk the parking lot perimeter, school track, or the designated area. We will have raffle prize drawings for participants and sites that participate. The more you walk the better chance you have of winning!
Flyers for the below locations will be distributed.
- City Center - Sheets will be at the East/West tower door entrances. For every loop you walk, write your name down.
- M&O - Flyer coming soon for the Milne track loop walks
- Transportation (main) - Flyer coming soon for parking lot loop walks
- Food & Nutrition - Flyer coming soon for parking lot loop walks
If you want to do a parking lot/track "walk the loop" contest at your school/site, contact Becky MacGregor at becky.macgregor@aps.edu or employee.wellness@aps.edu.
Schedule a Benefits Bootcamp & Win!
There's more than one way to get in shape. This boot camp will flex our benefits knowledge muscles and strengthen our minds, body, and spirit without having to squat, plank, and jump up and down. (Unless you really want to;)
Plus, we all want to spread positive motivation this time of year and nothing says "I care" like the healing touch of massage and acupuncture!
So, Employee Wellness is offering the best of both worlds: Schedule a 15-minute "Benefits Boot Camp" presentation between now and April 26 and be entered to win chair massages or acupuncture/ear seeding for your staff in May!
Yes, I am using this as a shameless plug to weasel my way in front of your staff. I am steadfast in my persistent effort to educate or remind our amazing employees of the benefits and wellness resources we offer. The upside is it won't be boring and prizes will still be involved so even if your school doesn't win the raffle drawing...we're all still winning!
Schedule a presentation now by contacting Becky Macgregor at becky.macgregor@aps.edu. Also, consider Pet Therapy as another staff stress reliever. Stay connected with all things wellness on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube for stretch breaks and APS employee interviews, and Facebook. Keep scrolling below for more on-going wellness programs.
Register Anytime For The New Wellness at Work Well-being Platform & Earn Rewards!
APS partners with The Solutions Group to bring you a variety of well-being programs as well as the Wellness at Work platform and employee wellness incentive program. We are happy to announce our well-being program had a significant upgrade in the transition to a new platform called Virgin Pulse.
The wellness program through the Solutions Group is still called "Wellness at Work" but the platform is hosted on Virgin Pulse.
The new mobile app has enhanced wellness options, easier access, and simplified activity syncing.
To Register:
- Full-time employees have received six email invitations in 2023 sent between January and October and another invitation in January 2024 from wellnessatwork@phs.org (it's not spam) Search for the email invitation with your link to join.
- You can also register by going to the main login page. Follow the instructions according to which APS Benefits health plan you have or join under "non-covered, full-time employee" if you don't take APS medical benefits. *This program is open to all full-time APS Employees.
Is Chronic Pain, Mobility & Lack of Strength Affecting Your Well-being?
Get the relief you need to feel and function better with this NEW virtual physical therapy program by Hinge Health.
Hinge Health gives you the tools to conquer joint and muscle pain including back, neck, knee, and shoulder pain, recover from injuries, prepare for surgery, and stay healthy and pain-free.
Learn more and register for the program. Begin your journey today with a physical therapist and health coach team!
Hinge Health is available at no cost to employees and eligible dependents covered under the APS Benefits plans.
Conquer High Blood Pressure, Diabetes & Weight With This One Solution - Livongo!
Manage diabetes, pre-diabetes, blood pressure, weight loss, and healthy lifestyle goals, and receive mental health support with this integrated wrap-around solution.
Livongo is a holistic program that empowers people with chronic illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and other health challenges to feel better and do more.
Livongo is an integrated solution with free 1-1 health coaching, mental health support, and connected device monitoring. Depending on your health condition you'll receive a blood pressure cuff, glucose meter/test strips, and/or connected scale. It's all seamlessly integrated through a mobile app with results you can share with your doctor.
*This is a free program for all employees and eligible dependents under the APS Benefits plans.
Getting started is easy!
- Text “GO APS” to 85240 to learn more and join
- Join by visiting www.livongo.com/aps
- Call 800-945-4355 and use the registration code: APS
Schedule Pet Therapy!
This is for APS employees. If you would like to offer your staff or department a couple of hours of furry-cuddle-stress-relieving therapy time, fill out this request form. Please note that accommodations must be made for any colleagues who have allergies to dogs.
Financial Wellness with Nusenda
Nusenda Credit Union has been the Albuquerque Public Schools Federal Credit Union since 1936 and offers comprehensive financial services to APS employees and their family members.
The APS Employee Wellness Banzai Site offers financial literacy courses and interactive simulations that engage users as they learn about finances and how to build credit, reduce debt, and/or save for life expenses like buying a home or car, starting a family, and planning retirement. Take a look at the Nusenda benefits flyer and reach out to Nusenda for more information.
Virtual and Email-Based Wellness Opportunities
- Life on Mindfulness: Check out the new Life on Mindfulness website with the password LIFEONMINDFULNESS. This is a free, flexible program for all employees that offers daily drop-in meditations, new weekly and monthly content, featured meditations, and Saturday workshops. Everything is recorded for on-demand access. Links for daily drop-ins and the Saturday sessions are in the APS Employee Wellness Calendar. Enroll in the Life on Mindfulness Program for all content and email reminders. This site is mobile phone optimized so you can access a wide variety of recorded meditations anytime, anywhere. *The Life on Mindfulness program is open to all APS employees.
- Health Coaching- If you want to get started on the road to better health and wellness but you're not sure how to start, APS offers free health coaching to all APS employees. *Open to all APS employees.
- 30 Ways to Well-being is an email-based program. Register and receive daily wellness emails with simple yet innovative practices to do every day. This will bring new awareness for you around stress, sleep, movement, nutrition, connection, and more! This is an ongoing program. Enroll and engage at your own pace. *Open to all APS employees.
- MyStress Tools This is an online suite of stress management and resilience-building resources. My Stress Tools helps you understand
the root causes of your stress and gives you the help you need to dramatically reduce your stress and build your resilience. Click here for flyer details. *Open to all APS employees.
On-Site Wellness
Short wellness presentations for school staff and APS departments. We can tailor to your needs and fit time ranges from 15-60 minutes. Some topics include:
- Wellness Benefits Boot Camp - APS wellness benefits and resources with fun gaming interaction.
- The Communication Connection: The role communication plays in the workplace and collective well-being.
- Stress, Burnout, and Resilience
- Social well-being
- The Importance of Sleep to Overall Well-being, Weight & Chronic Illness
- Nutrition in The News
- Financial Well-being
- Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Health
Wellness Trends In The News
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