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Dr. Nancy Glen from CAPS petting her dog

Dr. Nancy Glen, PhD, CAPS, discussing the importance and power of touch. Find recordings of past presentations on the GoUSF events page.

For the month of May, we continue to focus on emotional health with our Go Write programming which includes a challenge to track your journal writing and participating in emotional health workshops led by CAPS.

Although social distancing is important right now in reducing the spread of COVID-19, there's no doubt it's a challenge and we're missing the ability to touch our loved ones. Humans are social animals. We’re hardwired for connection. Isolation and loneliness can exacerbate anxiety and depression, and even impact our physical health. That’s why it’s important to stay connected and reach out for support when we need it, even as we cut back on in-person socializing.

Make it a priority to stay in touch with friends and family. If you tend to withdraw when depressed or anxious, think about scheduling a regular phone, chat, or Skype date to counteract that tendency.
While in-person visits are limited, substitute video chatting if you’re able. Face-to-face contact is like a “vitamin” for your mental health, reducing your risk of depression and helping ease stress and anxiety.
Social media can be a powerful tool—not only for connecting with friends, family, and acquaintances—but for feeling connected in a greater sense to our communities, country, and the world. It reminds us we’re not alone.
That said, be mindful of how social media is making you feel. Don’t hesitate to mute keywords or people who are exacerbating your anxiety. And log off if it’s making you feel worse.
Don’t let coronavirus dominate every conversation. It’s important to take breaks from stressful thoughts about the pandemic to simply enjoy each other’s company—to laugh, share stories, and focus on other things going on in our lives.

To assist in these challenging times, GoUSF has created a Self Care Resources and Tips webpage that focuses on self-care, self-compassion, and ways to help others. Also, we are proud to introduce the Dons at Home engagement site which helps us stay connected and find inspiration in our Dons community. Wondering how to spend your staycation? Check out the new Staycation webpage for ideas.

Stay informed about USF's response to the coronavirus by reviewing our Coronavirus Updates and Resources and HR pages.

In the latest episode of Dons From Distance, USF triathletes Katherine Badham and newcomer Gillian Cridge sit down in the first of a two-part segment. In this section, they talk about the groundbreaking USF Triathlon program, the special incoming class, and the rigors of being a two-sport athlete.

CURRENT AND UPCOMING CHALLENGES

Go Move@Home Challenge

April 1–July 31 (extended until we are back on campus)

By popular demand, we have created this exercise challenge which is open to all faculty/staff and students, and is similar to the October Go Dons Get Fit Challenge. Check in each time that you exercise and include the length of time and what you did in the description section. No maximum of daily check-ins or minutes. Let's get moving and see which group is most active during this time of shelter-in-place!

Go Write: Emotional Health

May 1–31

Check out the virtual workshops by GoUSF and CAPS that focus on emotional wellness. Boost your EQ by joining the Go Write challenge and virtually attending the various wellness events.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Emotional Health: Self Care During our Remote Reality

Monday, May 18 | 11 a.m. –12 p.m. | Via Zoom (Meeting ID: 974 1315 3055)

Remote work has brought its challenges. Some of us even miss our commute! Acknowledging the stressors inherent in the work is a good start, but we need some fresh strategies to sustain us. Join us for a review of coping considerations. Workshop led by Barbara Thomas, PhD, Senior Director of CAPS. Open to faculty, staff, and students.

Thacher Art Hour: Chalk Mandalas

Wednesday, May 20 | 12–1 p.m. | Via Zoom (Meeting ID: 997 8874 9887)

Missing community? Need to find ways to keep your (or your kids’) hands busy? Have a creative project you would like to finish?

Join Thacher Gallery staff and artists for a family-friendly arts session. Each meeting, we will suggest and lead a new project using household supplies. You are invited to join in or bring whatever you are working on, from knitting to coloring books. Stop by for a short time or the whole hour.

This week: While social distancing, take an hour to enjoy the sun outside while we use chalk to create ornate mandalas.

Star Route Farms Produce Pick-up

Saturdays | 9–11 a.m. | Upper Koret Parking Lot

USF’s Star Route Farms located in Bolinas, California is at peak production right now with the freshest local, organic produce. With the ongoing health crisis preventing restaurants from purchasing Star Route Farms’ produce, the farm and USF wish to serve the community by making the bounty available to you.

Order a box of produce each week and come pick it up on Saturdays in the Koret Health and Recreation Center upper parking lot. Each box costs $30 and contains the freshest produce picked that week. Contents of the boxes will change from week to week based on the produce available at harvest. Order by Friday at 9 a.m.

Order Your Boxes »

Are you passionate about wellness? Help publicize upcoming GoUSF events and increase campus-wide participation by becoming a GoUSF wellness champion today!

Join the conversation #USFCA

University of San Francisco
2130 Fulton St
San Francisco, CA | 94117 US

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