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Health & Wellness
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This Time of Year, Rest is Top of Mind. 
As a new semester begins, consider the importance of being mindful and maintaining restfulness to keep energy levels high.
"Severe back pain led me to my doctor who recommended taking care of myself and slowing my lifestyle. Going to group yoga and exercises in the afternoon helps me to feel energized and ready to meet the day's challenges"
-Irene L. Bhaskaran, Oracle Database Administrator, Information Technology Administrative Services
"The number one way for me to manage stress is to exercise. I utilize the Recreation Center about six days a week. Each day I try to do something different-running, using weights, using the Stairmaster-so my workouts do not get repetitive."

-Whitney Marsh, Assistant Director, Athletic and Recreation Facilities



 
Healthy Choices Wellness Program
Online scheduler for biometric screening appointments closes January 27, 2017.
Healthy Choices is a free, voluntary and confidential program that helps qualifying benefit-eligible faculty and staff and spouses learn helpful information about their health, encourages them to take steps to improve or maintain it, and receive monetary rewards of up to $500 for doing so. 
See how Mathematics faculty members, Pam and Clark Wells, are engaged in and benefit from healthy living.
Sucess Story: 
Melissa Garland
“It has to be a life style change. Find what works for you, remember what it was like to be a kid and play, find what play works for you. For me, it’s figure skating .”
Melissa Garland, Adjunct Marketing Communications Coordinator, has been with Grand Valley in Institutional Marketing for two years. From the very start her co-workers have been supportive and have encouraged her to try the health and wellness classes available at Grand Valley. While she started out with nutrition courses, she soon took on physical exercise courses such as yoga and TRX.
In addition to exercise classes, Melissa participates in campus challenges whenever she can. “Almost every time there’s been a challenge, like the pedometer challenge, I do my best to try and take that on. I’ve had some trouble with my hip, I’ve had more failure than success, but I never give up.” She also keeps physically active with figure skating , which is a passion for her. She is an advisor for the Grand Valley Synchronized Skating team, as well as a figure skating  judge. Despite her many responsibilities at home and work, she makes time to skate in order to keep her body and mind healthy.
In June 2016, Melissa was diagnosed with diabetes. Although she has taken classes and stayed active, with this diagnosis Melissa took it a step further with her nutrition. She started counting calories and looking for healthier food options. “The GVSU Farmer’s Market is something I look forward to every Wednesday in the summer, finding healthy local fresh foods, and that really helped me change my life style.” With these healthy options, Melissa replaced potato chips with raw vegetables, especially beets.
Two main sources of motivation and support for Melissa come from family and the skating community. Despite giving into temptation every once in a while, she has family and community to support her. Another motivation for her is to achieve gold-level status as a skater with U.S. Figure Skating. She is currently working on her skills to pass several adult gold-level tests in the future.
Do you know a GVSU faculty or staff member who serves as a role model for others living a healthy lifestyle? Nominate your co worker for our next newsletter!
6 Tips To Bust Your Sugar Cravings
January 17, 2017 12 PM - 1PM | Pew
January 18, 2017 1-2PM | Allendale

Are your carbohydrate cravings controlling you? Do sweets call your name? Join Lori Schermers, RD Campus Recreation, if you are interested in eating and mindfulness strategies to create a peaceful relationship with carbs. This talk is for you if: 
  • You are constantly tired and wanting more energy
  • You crave sugary foods and can’t seem to stop at just one.
  • You are curious about mindful eating and eager to acquire skills to care for yourself holistically.
Register now: gvsu.edu/sprout 
1 Campus Drive 1090 James H. Zumberge Hall Allendale, MI 49401

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