Albuquerque Public Schools
April 2025 Wellness Newsletter
A new program for burn-out, a stress support group, and more wellness trends in the news.
When I was young, my mother would tell me I would "burn the candle at both ends." I thought it was a compliment.
I used to think I could forge through pretty much anything. I worked 60-70 hour weeks. Daily multiple deadlines. Very high stress. Squeezed in exercise early in the morning or late at night, and I didn’t sleep much. When I did sleep, I dreamt of work. (That’s not true rest.) I thrived (or thought I did) under the pressure. Between me and you, I was probably a little self-absorbed about it all. I thought I was strong enough to burn the candle at both ends because it got me results, and I liked feeling good about my job. Until it all caught up with me - as it always will. My ambition exposed my weakness. It did so in the name of chronic stress and illness.
Our motivation and enthusiasm for life can be extinguished in two ways: relying solely on one source of energy (the candle wick) and not renewing our flame through different types of rest, connection, and activities that relieve stress and bring us joy, or snuffing it out through a lack of oxygen - in this case the fuel we need in the form of emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical well-being.
When we push through mental or physical fatigue without giving ourselves proper rest, eventually our energy dwindles, and our light burns out. We can have the perception that we 'thrive' on stress, but our bodies do not—in any way—thrive under stress for the long haul. Read the rest of the Wellness Wire on Exposing Weaknesses from April of 2023.
To help us identify stress and signs of burnout before they become full-scale, we are launching a "Burn Bright—Burn out Less" program on April 7, and a stress/burnout support group starts Tuesday, April 15. Keep scrolling for more information below.
This week, my encouragement to you is to consider your stress - in whatever setting - and be willing to step back from it for the greater purpose of pursuing your health. This gives us the energy and capacity to pursue growth goals that bring us joy, purpose, and renewed enthusiasm for life. This is what it means to Thrive in 2025 and reclaim health and harmony!
Join the April Activities to Thrive in 2025!
This month, we will focus on the quality of our emotions, managing stress and burnout, decision-making, and the role emotions + communication play in our personal and professional well-being.
April Focus Activities: Stress, Triggers, & Communication
- April 7-13: Recognize stress, burnout & triggers
- April 14-20: Emotions & decision-making
- April 21-27: Conscious communication for emotional well-being and relationship-building
This is a yearlong program that offers flexibility to participate in various activity challenges, nutrition resets, education, short videos, and wellness journeys.
- The year is structured into four quarters for the wellsprings of "energy management."
- Activities and challenges will center around physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
- Everything is hosted on the Wellness at Work well-being platform, and information is duplicated on the APS Employee Wellness event calendar.
*Invites for these weekly focus activities and other challenges go out through the APS Employee Wellness group on Wellness at Work. See below.
Simple steps to participate:
If you haven't already done so, join the Wellness at Work wellness incentive platform.
- Join the APS Employee Wellness group. (Click "social" and browse "groups," find the APS Employee Wellness group, and join to receive invitations to nutrition reset activities, "sugar-free me" cleanse, kitchen-clean up, movement challenges, stress, and burnout-busting activities, and so much more!)
- Under "Social," click "Events Calendar." Browse and read the information daily or weekly. The information is also duplicated in the APS Employee Wellness event calendar.
- Earn wellness incentive points for rewards and ongoing gift card prizes for participation throughout the year! (Gift card prizes are in addition to your wellness incentive point rewards.)
- Please join the "APS Employee Wellness Group" on the Wellness at Work platform to participate in challenges and be eligible for additional raffle prizes. This step ensures you receive invitations to join challenges when they arise. You can also pick and choose which challenges to participate in throughout the year.
NEW! Burn Out Program With Support Group!
The "Burn Bright, Burn Out Less" program opens April 7 and is free for all employees. This virtual, self-paced program takes up to 15 minutes per module. It's easy to navigate and packed with great information for anyone struggling with stress and at the edge of burnout.
To complement this program, the APS Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and APS Employee Wellness are moderating a "Stress/Burnout Support Group." The virtual live sessions start on Tuesday, April 15, at 4:00-4:45 and go through May 13. The Google Meet link to join is in the APS Employee Wellness event calendar. Participants do not have to sign up for the Burn Bright program, but we will refer to the content in the modules each week.
This support group is designed to help employees who feel they are nearing or at burnout. Any APS employee feeling stressed is encouraged to attend these sessions. You do not have to participate in the virtual "Burn Bright" program to attend these sessions. Please take a look at the rules of engagement for these sessions.
If you have any questions, please contact Becky MacGregor at employee.wellness@aps.edu
Be The Change You Want to See at Work
The definition of work is an activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result. Generally, there are teams with shared goals and a paycheck that goes with that effort. Since we spend more waking hours at work than at home, I think something that's missing in the definition is the social connection, collaboration, and belonging that can enhance our workplace environment and our lives. The J-O-B does not have to be drudgery. It doesn't have to be a lonely, disconnected, unfulfilling experience.
Work is not a dirty word, and I think we need to redefine it as a place where we foster community, growth, and connection- one that lifts, enlightens, brightens, and supports all of us- one where we can all thrive.
The APS Employee Well-being Ambassadors help fill the belonging gap by promoting and cultivating wellness in schools and departments. The ambassadors also serve as the 'boots on the ground,' giving creative feedback to the APS Wellness Department. So, what do you say - Do you want to help bring some fun back to 'work', foster community, and spread wellness mojo? Click here to learn more about becoming an APS Well-being Ambassador.
You can also email Becky MacGregor, APS Employee Wellness Coordinator, at becky.macgregor@aps.edu.
Oh, My Aching Head, Neck, Shoulders, Back, and Wrists!
You get the picture. Something is just not quite right with your desk, chair, and computer setup, and it hurts! So, we have a solution with a new Ergonomics 101 program.
This is a series of six short videos to guide you to a healthier, more productive workspace. Register here or scan the QR code in the flyer below and start receiving the information.
Wellness Trends in the News
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