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October 2024 Employee Wellness Newsletter

Posted October 7, 2024, 6:55 AM. Updated October 31, 2024, 1:59 PM.

The not-so-secret sustainability problem, solutions to help manage weight loss, diabetes, and more wellness trends in the news!

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Wellness Wire - The Not-So-Secret Sustainability Problem

"It's unsustainable." That’s the phrase I hear time and time again from employees, administrators, and people in high-stress, overwhelmed positions where there are unrealistic expectations, no breaks, or boundaries. Considering the vital role all of our employees play- teachers, principals, assistant principals, deans, executive directors, and the vast support services throughout the district, that's just devastating. But don't feel bad, it's not just our district or industry feeling this way. This is a common sentiment from employees in multiple workforce sectors. 

My response to that comment is - you're right. If we keep approaching work and life in the same way, we'll have the same outcome - unsustainability leading to burnout, high rates of absenteeism, leaves, and departures. So something has to change. 

One may argue that our physical environment is declining but we know for sure the well-being of the human race is plummeting. This is reflected in our health care costs, the rise in mental health struggles, substance overuse disorders, and other preventable chronic illnesses I highlighted in the last Wellness Wire "Reclaiming What's Lost."  

The bottom line is America has a sustainability problem but not in the way we generally think of the environment. Typically, sustainability in the workplace is reflected in a commitment to greener practices like recycling, using less water, reducing our carbon footprint, and conservation of natural resources.

For our purposes, let's shift the perspective to the sustainability of human well-being and the idea that employees are the greatest natural resource of any organization.

I want to emphasize the importance of the conservation of our emotional, mental, and physical well-being so that our workplace, and the jobs we step up to every day, are sustainable in the context of the whole - our life purpose, connection, family time, the capacity for self-care, and expansion in other areas of life (not just work). 

If something is 'unsustainable' it's defined as "not able to be maintained at the current rate or level; not capable of being prolonged or continued." 

If someone feels a situation is not sustainable, what they're really saying is they can't do it or the toll it's taking on them to do the job is too much. We can all sense pressure-induced cracks. We don't feel successful, things are slipping, balls are dropping and no one - NO one- likes to feel that way. It diminishes our intellectual and emotional well-being which then affects all other areas of our wellness including personal and professional relationships. 

I read a quote that said, “The first rule of sustainability is to align with natural resources, or at least try not to defy them.”  If our most precious natural resource is us (humans), then we need to stop defying what aligns with nature and honor our basic, safety, and psychological needs. Also, if we're considering any situation as "sustainable" or "unsustainable", we're still comparing it to the context of the bare minimum - surviving not thriving. 

We have to start viewing our well-being, and our workplace culture, as a valuable natural resource that must be conserved and cultivated to flourish.

The wellsprings of energy are not infinite.  Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being must be renewed daily. In our current workplace and life dynamic that's not happening.

 A 2023 article in Investopedia states it like this; “In the broadest sense, sustainability refers to the ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time. In business and policy contexts, sustainability seeks to prevent the depletion of natural or physical resources, so that they will remain available for the long term.”  I think many of us would agree that we want our employees, friends, and family to remain at APS, be actively involved in the community, and flourish over the long term. To do that we have to invest in human sustainability. 

When "the system", with all its redundancy and unpredictable crises that we don't have control over, is a Goliath that may take years to fix, the only solution is to shift how we view sustainability and our lifestyles. This is how we approach and tackle our not-so-secret sustainability problem.  Sure, business systems everywhere could do an audit to trim and scale back or hire and build in areas that need it. But that takes a willingness to take on a heavy re-organization lift. That's not easy when resources on all levels (time, money, and human capital) are strapped. 

And much of that, if not all, is out of our control. What we can control, are the things within our sphere of influence.  Like our time, boundaries, and realigning expectations. We can control what we eat and drink, our movement, and our mindsets.

Just like environmental conservation advocates for small changes over time that have a massive impact, we must look at the reclaiming of human well-being in the same light. Small changes over time equal a big impact.

So, it's time we go green on our emotional, mental, and physical well-being once and for all. Some would say "The choice is yours." But I say given what's a stake, is there really a choice?

Here are some concepts for well-being sustainability: 

  • Willingness to change a not-so-comfortable norm that we've been made to believe is 'the norm'.  It's not normal to work 10-12-14 hour days on the regular. It's not normal to languish in a sleep-deprived environment. It's not normal to live a sedentary lifestyle.  Sugary drinks and high-processed foods are not normal for our body's design which is why we're getting sick, have low energy, and obesity as a preventable chronic health condition. (FYI- before 2013 this was not on the CDC list.) 
  • Turn off the media faucet. Not only can the media scroll and Netflix binging waste time when we could be exercising, engaging in a hobby, or sleeping, but it's also an agitator. Social media can rub our internal environment the wrong way causing angst, frustration, conflict, and outward anger. Turn it off. Read something uplifting or go to bed instead of sacrificing rest and emotional well-being. 
  • Reduce stress emissions
  • Recycle -  We need true rest and recovery. We also need to advocate for it on every level - leaders included. No one is immune to disease so why should you tell everyone else to rest while your battery is completely depleted? 
  • Engage in true natural resources and renewables.  Get outside. Spend time in the sunlight, breathe fresh air, walk, hike, bike. New Mexico is one of the most beautiful states and we have so much in our backyard to enjoy. Try adding more natural, whole foods to your diet and limit added sugar and processed foods.
  • Make an Alternative Energy Shift:  Our district has undertaken a massive project and adopted goals and guardrails that will raise student scores and overall outcomes. But we will not realize any goal if our primary focus doesn't shift to employee mental, emotional, and physical sustainability and well-being. We can't expect the people who are given the task to get the kids engaged and succeeding if they are struggling themselves. 

This is the critical sustainability shift I want to highlight.  Employees are our most valuable resource. Let's take the time to invest and advocate for everyone's well-being, and value energy management concepts. Is this a heavy lift? Yes. Like most worthy causes, cultivating our well-being for long-term sustainability may not be easy but we owe it to ourselves, our families, and the collective good. We will eventually see the reversal of all negative trends in workforce absenteeism, burnout, leaves, preventive chronic illnesses, mental health decline, and education shortfalls. More importantly, we'll experience life the way we are intended  - with less illness and stress, more joy, mobility, purpose, and connection.

We know getting started with any change is the hardest part. APS Employee Wellness offers an integrated suite of well-being solutions including free health coaching for lifestyle changes, Hinge Health for pain, injury strength, and mobility issues, Livongo for weight loss, diabetes and blood pressure, free mental health care, and more. Keep scrolling below and check out the other resources on www.aps.edu/wellness. 

Wellness Wire: Reclaiming What's Lost

Have You Tried Health Coaching? 

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The first step to reclaim and honor our well-being for sustainability can be the hardest. Wellness coaching is a great resource to help you get started. All APS employees have access to free health coaching through The Solutions Group (APS wellness vendor). 

Wellness coaches work with employees one-on-one in a client-centered process to facilitate and help empower you to develop and achieve life-long wellness goals. 

The Solutions Group coaches help you set appropriate goals, create an action plan, identify personal motivation, and more. They will also work with you to eat better, lose weight, become more active, reduce stress, sleep better, or even prepare for a specific event. Get started today and a health coach will contact you within 3 business days. 

Register Anytime For The Wellness at Work Well-being Platform & Earn Rewards!

Wellness at work

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. 

The wellness program through the Solutions Group is still called "Wellness at Work". The platform it is currently hosted on is Virgin Pulse. Virgin Pulse is getting a name change to Personify Health starting January 1, 2025. NOTHING will change but the name and some colors. Your app will still work. 

The new mobile app has enhanced wellness options, easier access, and simplified activity syncing.

Complete instructions to register are on the Employee Wellness Incentive Program pageFollow 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. 

Note: If you are a full-time APS employee covered as a dependent under the Presbyterian Health Plan, or ANY health plan, register as a 'non-covered' APS employee. If you are a full-time employee NOT covered by APS Benefits plan, register under "non-covered" APS employee. 

Is Chronic Pain, Mobility & Lack of Strength Affecting Your Well-being?

 APS employee testimonial

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!

 

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

 

If You Think You Missed It - Think Again!

Three great wellbeing series are available to watch on demand through the APS Employee Wellness Event Calendar.

APS Employee Wellness, in partnership with our wellness vendor The Solutions Group, has hosted a few great series over the past couple of years. We've pulled them out, dusted them off, and reposted them in the Employee Wellness Event Calendar. Simply go to the dates in the graphic above to view, peruse, and download the content when the timing is right for you.

You can also connect your personal Google calendar with the APS Employee Wellness Events calendar by clicking this link or adding it under "other calendars" in the left side column of your calendar view.  Click on the plus sign, browse using the name of the calendar (APS Employee Wellness Events), and add. 

The APS Employee Wellness Event calendar has tips, motivation, APS-wide event information, and more!

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. 

Wellness Trends in the News

News: Short Bursts of Daily Activity and Cancer

Short bursts of vigorous lifestyle activity up to a total of four to five minutes per day is linked with a significantly reduced risk of cancer, according to findings described in JAMA Oncology. 

Nutrition: Soap Residue and Gut Health

A study found that commercial dishwashers in many restaurants can leave behind a chemical soap residue that’s potentially harmful to the gut.  

Mind-Body: Isometric Exercise and Blood Pressure

Isometric exercises are especially effective at reducing resting blood pressure, according to a study reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

 
Recipe: Rye Salmon Bowl With Beet Sauce

Whole grains help maintain healthier body composition and better health, making this power salmon bowl full of good nutrition. 

Fitness Handout: Programming Power: Movement Play 

Movement and exercise should be fun! Cue Movement Play, an exciting way to incorporate enjoyment into your exercise program.