Mindfulness

Pleasure Takes Practice

Pleasure Takes Practice

By Melissa Lafrance on May 2, 2019

Guest contribution by Dr. Thara Vayali

Pleasure is associated with many different things. It can occur beneath the sheets, at the finish of a difficult project or with devotional work. Occasionally, pleasure is associated with hedonism, the unrelenting pursuit of self-indulgence.

More often, pleasure is associated with instant gratification, but it’s important to differentiate between the two. The body and mind don’t have to exert much effort to achieve instant gratification; the reward is small, and the chemicals that signal pleasure are fleeting. Pleasure itself, however, is simpler: it’s a mental or physical sensation of joy and has longer-lasting effects in the body. The sensation of pleasure is the result of a well-deserved “win” in the context of feeling safe and calm. For example, finishing a race at your fastest pace can feel well-deserved and safe – if you’ve trained regularly and the race course was filled with people who support you.

Human beings are continually searching for pleasurable experiences, yet it is a state that can only exist under two circumstances that may not be easy to achieve: reward and safety.

Reward is a journey of effort and achievement. Safety is both a physical and emotional necessity. While physical safety is occasionally out of our control, we can speak about ourselves more positively, which can help develop a safe, emotional environment where pleasure can exist.

Mindful awareness of our habits in daily life can allow us to open up to pleasure when we want to. While reward and safety may be complex concepts to understand, I offer you some ideas for exploring these concepts to help you increase your capacity for pleasure.

Reward

Create a challenge deadline and give yourself meaningful challenges. For example, if you’ve always wanted to publish a book, set up a schedule to write each morning. Challenge yourself to read aloud from your book draft by the end of a season and invite anyone you feel supported by.

The “effortful” work of creating a reward challenge means that:

  • it is important enough for you to stay committed even when someone else’s needs filter in.
  • it exists in a timeline you set solely for yourself.
  • the timeline realistically recognizes all your other responsibilities.
  • the challenge requires effort, whether physical or mental.
  • the desired result requires you to work just beyond your current skill level.

It is not easy to tick all these boxes quickly and you may notice you can realistically only do one to three genuine challenges a year. Creating effortful challenges allows for reward to contribute to a lasting sensation of pleasure.

Safety

Notice the language you use to speak about yourself. Do you undermine your efforts or minimize your achievements? Do you defer compliments or gratitude? Do you blame yourself when things don’t work as planned? Learning to speak positively to yourself takes time, but by becoming aware of your own language, you can begin to create a safe mental space for yourself.

With daily practice, you can increase your capacity for pleasure.

Dr. Thara Vayali is a Vancouver-based naturopathic doctor and yoga teacher, UBC alum and popular guest contributor to our Healthy UBC newsletter who specializes in intestinal and immune health, hormones, and pain-free bodies. For more information about Thara, visit www.tharavayali.ca.

Photo: Sean McGrath (Flickr)

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The Value of a Mindful Pause

By Melissa Lafrance on April 2, 2019

Did you know that there’s a connection between mindfulness and financial wellbeing?

Mindfulness can help us pay closer attention to the present moment and acknowledge its beauty through focused awareness. By paying attention to our personal finances, we can spend our money more intentionally and thoughtfully, rather than spending impulsively on unnecessary things. Improving our self-awareness can help us become savvier shoppers.

That’s not to say we need to think about the present moment all the time; being financially responsible involves planning for the future and understanding how our spending habits will impact it. Bringing a mindful awareness to our shopping habits will not only help us make better decisions in the present, but set us up for long-term financial health.

Before making your next purchase, try applying this simple Pause, Notice, Take Action practice:

Pause

When you discover something you want to buy, pause and take a mindful breath. Take a moment to reduce the distractions and stimulations around you.

Notice

Check in with yourself and consider: How am I feeling? Will this item bring me joy? Is it within my budget? Listen to your intuition and give yourself time to decide. You can always step away and come back later.

Act

After making your decision, take action mindfully. Notice your behaviour. Whether you purchase the item or not, be proud that you made a conscious decision rather than an impulse buy.

You should absolutely treat yourself with your hard-earned money. However, by being more mindful, you can avoid impulse purchases and savour the moments and things that bring you joy and satisfaction.

Take action now by signing up for UBC’s 30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge cohort, starting April 15.

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Free Events This Month: April 2019

By Melissa Lafrance on April 2, 2019

Office Ergo Rep Training | April 4 | 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

If your department is looking for more efficient response and support with regards to ergonomic issues for staff, consider taking the three-hour Ergo Rep Training. Learn about basic ergonomic risk factors and assessments, proper computer workstation set-up, and resources to take back to your unit. Find out more and register now.

Debunking the Diet Series with Dr. Thara Vayali

Part 1: The Detox Equation | April 10 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

“Detoxes” can be nebulous and controversial. Find out more about toxins and cleanses and whether or not we really need them. You will also learn how to use this information to improve your own health, as well as three simple dietary and lifestyle changes to support your “detox” equation. Find out more and register now.

Part 2: The Superfood Showdown | April 25 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

In stories about superheroes, villains play a role too. Let’s define what makes a food “super” and uncover misconceptions around “villainous” foods. Learn how to evaluate a superfood and pick up three dietary suggestions to nourish yourself and improve your nutritional health. Find out more and register now.

Part 3: Diet, Hormones & Health | May 1 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

In this final session, let’s put superfoods and myths aside and explore the impact of diets on metabolism and health. We will cover the dos and don’ts of dietary changes and learn how diets impact hormones. You will leave with three tangible steps for balancing food choices, metabolism and overall health. Find out more and register now.

Group 30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge Starts April 15

This free, innovative, evidence-based training is for all UBC staff and faculty looking to incorporate mindfulness into the workplace and in their everyday lives. Content is delivered online via any device, and focuses on simple yet powerful and achievable learning objectives. Just 10 minutes a day for 30 consecutive days, will help participants to be healthier, more productive and better able to problem-solve and work in a team.

Mindfulness has many positive effects for individuals and can also help your team by easing conflict and enhancing collaboration, performance, communication and creativity. It also allows teams to focus on tasks and priorities and fosters emotional intelligence. Learn more and register for the challenge now.

Mental Health First Aid Training for UBC Faculty & Instructors | April 29 – 30 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

UBC faculty and instructors who interact regularly with students and peers may find this two-day training session helpful for building awareness and skills related to mental health challenges. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a Canadian, evidence-based program that aims to improve mental health literacy and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague. Find out more and register now.

Photo credit: UBC Communications & Marketing

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The Gut Brain

By Melissa Lafrance on March 4, 2019

Guest contribution by Dr. Thara Vayali

Did you know that humans have three brains? There is the central nervous system (CNS) that originates in your cranial cavity (the “brain”) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that is based out of your brain, spine and pelvis. The PNS has multiple functions, two of which are the “fight and flight” response and the “rest and digest” response. The third, less-commonly-discussed one is the enteric nervous system (ENS) that originates in your intestinal tract — also referred to as the “gut brain”.

As far as we know, these brains are linked by only one vital nerve, the vagus nerve, by which they send their messages of joy and warning, back and forth. What’s astounding is that even if that vagus nerve is severed, the ENS keeps functioning without direction from the CNS brain headquarters. It is a “brain” on its own.

Mindfulness impacts the vagus nerve and thus the ENS directly. The ENS is a major factor in digestion and mental state. A mindfulness practice crosses both mental and physical aspects of health.

Let’s first learn about where the nerve hubs are:

 Brain (CNS)

  • Origin of thoughts and reactions
  • Over 85 billion neurons and 100 neurotransmitters
  • 5% of serotonin, 50% of dopamine 

Spine (PNS)

  • Origin of fight, flight, freeze and fall – the responses to situations of danger, fear and pain
  • Slows digestive processes to direct attention toward managing threats

 Brain, Pelvis and Vagus Nerve (PNS)

  • Origin of rest, repair and digestion
  • Directs digestion and bowels

 Gut Tissue (ENS)

  • Origin of “gut feelings”
  • 100 million neurons and 40 neurotransmitters
  • 95% of serotonin, 50% of dopamine

While the CNS certainly has the most influence on daily life, the vagus nerve is a two-way information highway connecting the gut to the brain. It delivers messages about the state of affairs between the brain and the gut. When the mind is at ease, the body can follow suit. Likewise, when the gut is at ease, the mind receives messages of calm. The gut brain is the group huddle for the body’s health and wellbeing.

Knowing this, let’s not only consider what we are eating, but also how we feel while we eat. A mindfulness practice is a tool that allows messages of restoration and digestion to flood the gut. An enhanced capacity for digestion can send messages of calm back to the mind

Take 10 to tame your breath and tame your gut

Before each meal, take 10 deep inhales and long exhales. This process changes your chemistry enough to signal to your vagus nerve that you are willing to go into a digestion phase of the day. Ten deep breaths is a short amount of time in relation to a day’s work – about one minute – but it can certainly feel long or inappropriate in your current rhythm.

Until it feels natural, perhaps do this by yourself, looking out a window or on a slow walk down the hall. Oftentimes, once we sit down to eat, our minds have already moved on to either hunger, conversations or time pressures.

Allow yourself the space and preparation to welcome your meals and let the nourishment begin.

Dr. Thara Vayali is a Vancouver-based naturopathic doctor and yoga teacher, UBC alum and popular guest contributor to our Healthy UBC newsletter who specializes in intestinal and immune health, hormones, and pain-free bodies. For more information about Thara, visit www.tharavayali.ca

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Mindful Movement

By Miranda Massie on February 5, 2019

Looking to reap the mental benefits of your movement this month? Discover ways to enhance your mental fitness while being physically active. To inspire you, check out these previous guest articles by Wendy Quan (The Calm Monkey) and Dr. Thara Vayali.

Remember, a mindful moment doesn’t have to lack movement. Enjoy!

Photo credit: UBC Thrive

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Free Events This Month: February 2019

By Melissa Lafrance on February 5, 2019

Sit-Stand Desks & Platforms | February 13 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

This workshop will provide important information about different types of sit-stand desks and platforms available for the workplace. Understanding the pros and cons of each will assist departments, staff and faculty in deciding which option may be most suitable. Product samples will be available for participants to try in order to understand how the different models impact physical positioning and workflow. Find out more and register now.  

Ergo Your Office Tutorial | February 13 | 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Optimize your computer work environment to improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury. This one-hour tutorial combines a presentation with a practical session, giving you hands-on experience adjusting typical office equipment. By the end of the tutorial, you will know how to set up your chair, keyboard/mouse, and monitor to promote neutral working postures. Find out more and register now.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) | February 20 and 21 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

UBC Okanagan is hosting a free, two-day workshop on suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Although ASIST is widely used by healthcare providers, participants don’t need any formal training to attend the workshop. Note: You must attend both days in full to get the certificate of completion. To register, please email Sam Larsen at sam.larsen@ubc.ca by February 15.

Beginner Boot Camp | February 21 | 11:00 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.

This bootcamp is designed to guide you through a variety of core, stability, and functional strength training for a safe and effective workout. Suitable for both beginner and experienced bootcampers. Find out more and register now.

The Working Mind – Mental Health Training for Employees | February 25 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The Working Mind is a Mental Health Commission of Canada, evidence-based, solution-focused workplace training program aimed at increasing mental health literacy for employees. Designed to address and promote mental health in a workplace setting, participants will enhance their awareness to reduce stigma and negative attitudes around mental health challenges. Employees will acquire a better understanding of mental health and wellbeing, be able to promote mental health in the workplace, and enhance personal mental health and resilience. Find out more and register now. 

50/50 Yoga Pilates Class | February 26 | 1:00 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.

This class presents a cutting-edge Pilates workout designed to sculpt the body and strengthen the core. A 50/50 Yoga Pilates class is a unique combination of 50% standing Pilates work, which integrates Pilates principles into lower-body work, and 50% yoga mat work to strengthen the core with complementary exercises. Find out more and register now.

Office Ergo Rep Training | February 26 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

If your department is looking for more efficient response and support with regards to ergonomic issues for staff, consider taking the three-hour Ergo Rep Training. Learn about basic ergonomic risk factors and assessments, proper computer workstation set-up, and resources to take back to your unit. Find out more and register now.

30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge | Begins Every Monday

This free, innovative, evidence-based training is for all UBC staff and faculty looking to incorporate mindfulness into the workplace and in their everyday lives. Content is delivered online via any device, and focuses on simple yet powerful and achievable learning objectives. After just 10 minutes a day for 30 consecutive days, participants will be healthier, more productive and better able to problem-solve and work in a team. Learn more and register for the challenge now.

Community Health News

2019 UBC President’s Staff Awards for Wellbeing

Open to all staff on the Vancouver campus with three or more years of service, the President’s Staff Award for Wellbeing recognizes outstanding contributions to the university community, especially the important role staff play in promoting workplace health. Consider nominating a colleague or team. Deadline for nominations is March 15.

Photo Credit: UBC Thrive

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Pause, Notice, Take Action

By Miranda Massie on January 8, 2019

Guest contribution from Wendy Quan

Mindfulness offers a wealth of practices that can help in times of distress. It can allow you to observe when your thoughts are spiralling out of control and to notice what’s influencing your reactions.  It can help you make better decisions, be more effective and not regret your reactions afterwards.

Here is a simple practice you can call upon in the heat of the moment:

1. Pause

Pause and take a mindful breath. Give yourself a micro opportunity to mentally ‘step away’.

2. Notice

Notice your emotions.  Check in with yourself.  It only takes an instant to do so. Can you identify and label the emotions you’re having right now, in this moment? It could be surprise, anger, disbelief or many other emotions.

By identifying and labeling your emotions, you give yourself the opportunity to gain some objectivity on the situation at hand. It gives you some space to consider what you feel are appropriate possible responses.

If you are in a situation that requires immediate action, take a mindful breath. If you have a bit more time (e.g. preparing to go into a heated meeting), close your eyes just for a minute and experience your breath. You can find some calmness, composure and clarity of thought in just a short moment.

3. Take Action

After making a decision on the best appropriate response, take action mindfully. Notice how you are responding: your behaviour, body language, tone of voice, etc. Being mindful of your actions lets you create the experience you wish to have, rather than succumbing to auto-pilot responses triggered in the heat of the moment.

Call upon this simple Pause, Notice, Take Action practice as a tool to get you through those unsettling moments.

Wendy Quan, founder of The Calm Monkey, is an industry leader in training and certifying experienced meditators to become mindfulness meditation facilitators in their workplace or community. She combines change management with mindfulness meditation to help people through difficult change and is the creator of the Dealing with Change Toolkit.

Wendy is a certified organizational change manager who has been recognized as a pioneer by the Greater Good Science Center of the University of California, Berkeley, the global Association of Change Management Professionals and the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources. Her clients include Google, the government of Dubai, University of British Columbia, the US Senate, and individuals and Fortune 500 organizations worldwide.

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Free Events This Month: January 2019

By Melissa Lafrance on January 8, 2019

QPR Suicide Intervention Training | January 23 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

QPR Training is an internationally recognized suicide intervention program designed to help you question, persuade and refer. QPR acts as an emergency mental health intervention designed to save lives, much like CPR or other methods of emergency medical intervention. Learn to recognize suicide warning signs, how to approach someone who may be at risk, persuade the person to seek appropriate health services, and connect the person to resources that will help resolve crises. Find out more and register now.

Parenting Tips: How to Talk to Your Kids about Sexual Health | January 23 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The prospect of talking to your children about sex and sexual health can be a difficult one, but these conversations do not need to be feared or avoided. Why not arm yourself with knowledge, age-appropriate information and fantastic resources? Learn how to speak to your children about comprehensive body science and sexual health information. You will also take away a helpful formula for answering questions and discover some fantastic resources for both parents and children of any age. Help provide your children with the tools to keep themselves safe and to make healthy and informed decisions. Find out more and register now.

Sit-Stand Desks & Platforms | January 24 | 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

This workshop will provide important information about different types of sit-stand desks and platforms available for the workplace. Understanding the pros and cons of each will assist departments, staff and faculty in deciding which option may be most suitable. Product samples will be available for participants to try in order to understand how the different models impact physical positioning and workflow. Find out more and register now.  

Ergo Your Office Tutorial | January 24 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Optimize your computer work environment to improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury. This one-hour tutorial combines a presentation with a practical session, giving you hands-on experience adjusting typical office equipment. By the end of the tutorial, you will know how to set up your chair, keyboard/mouse, and monitor to promote neutral working postures. Find out more and register now.

Self-care for the Caretaker | January 29 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Incorporating aspects of Self-Care 101, this session is designed for those working in front line or helping roles on campus such as advisors, managers, supervisors, faculty and student support staff. In addition to learning about personal self-care (the body’s stress response and how to identify these responses in themselves), participants will explore the benefits and risks of supporting others while identifying ways to create and maintain supportive and safe environments.  It offers an opportunity to take a stress index, explore what self-care means and to identify key UBC resources that can be engaged to support work life integration while reducing burnout.  Find out more and register now.

The Working Mind for Managers | January 31 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Working Mind is a Mental Health Commission of Canada, evidence-based workplace training program aimed at increasing mental health literacy for managers, supervisors, deans, and department heads.

This education-based and solution-focused program is designed to address and promote mental health and reduce stigma in a workplace setting. Participants will enhance their awareness to reduce stigma and negative attitudes around mental health challenges, have a better understanding of mental health and wellbeing, be able to promote mental health in the workplace, and gain confidence, tools and resources to support employees. Find out more and register now.

30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge | Begins Every Monday

This free, innovative, evidence-based training is for all UBC staff and faculty looking to incorporate mindfulness into the workplace and in their everyday lives. Content is delivered online via any device, and focuses on simple yet powerful and achievable learning objectives. After just 10 minutes a day for 30 consecutive days, participants will be healthier, more productive and better able to problem-solve and work in a team. Learn more and register for the challenge now.

Coming in February:

The Working Mind for Employees | February 25 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The Working Mind is a Mental Health Commission of Canada, evidence-based, solution-focused workplace training program aimed at increasing mental health literacy for employees. Designed to address and promote mental health in a workplace setting, participants will enhance their awareness to reduce stigma and negative attitudes around mental health challenges. Employees will acquire a better understanding of mental health and wellbeing, be able to promote mental health in the workplace, and enhance personal mental health and resilience. Find out more and register now. 

Office Ergo Rep Training | February 26 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

If your department is looking for more efficient response and support with regards to ergonomic issues for staff, consider taking the three-hour Ergo Rep Training. Learn about basic ergonomic risk factors and assessments, proper computer workstation set-up, and resources to take back to your unit. Find out more and register now.

Community Health News: January 2019

January 2-31: Sexual Assault Awareness Month

January 7-13: UBC Recreation Free Week

January 21-March 24: UBC Walkabout (Faculty of Education)

January 21: Lunar New Year celebrations (UBC Alumni Centre)

January 24:  Global Health Conference (UBC School of Population and Public Health)

January 26: First Year Educators’ Symposium (CTLT)

January 29: Sing! Sing! Sing! Drop-in Choir (UBC Wellbeing)

January 31: Staff & Faculty Drop-in Choir Practice (UBC Wellbeing)

February 1-28: Move UBC Month

Photo credit: UBC Communications and Marketing

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Evidence-based Meditation with Spiritual Benefits

By Guest Contributor on December 5, 2018

Guest Contribution by Wendy Quan.

The most popular meditations I lead seem to be ones that have both evidence-based benefits and spiritual benefits. An active meditation known as Kirtan Kriya (pronounced ‘KEER-tan KREE-a’) is one worth trying.

What is Kirtan Kriya meditation?
This well-researched meditation practice involves hand movements, a mantra (repeated words or sounds), and visualization of the movement of energy.  Typically a 12-minute meditation, Kirtan Kriya stimulates the areas of the brain producing evidence-based results. The Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation explains it well in this article.

What are the researched benefits?
A UCLA research study conducted a 12-week study showing that participants who used this 12-minute meditation daily showed significant improvement in:

  • Memory
  • Executive functioning (mental processes for planning, attention, remembering instructions, juggling multiple tasks)
  • Depression
  • Resilience

How to do Kirtan Kriya meditation:
A good way to learn or practice is to follow a meditation recording and let it guide you. But once you know it, you can do it on your own if you wish.

Use the following instructions or view this instructional video to see how Kirtan Kriya is done.

  1. Touch your thumb with each of your other fingers, in sequence, applying pressure with each touch.  Do this with both hands at the same time.
  2. Sync the Sanskrit mantra, “Sa Ta Na Ma” with these finger touches.
  3. Imagine the movement of energy as a golden light coming in through the top of your head (your crown chakra), moving in an L shape and exiting through your forehead (the area between your eyebrows called the third eye).
  4. For 12 minutes, say the mantra and follow this format:
  • 2 minutes vocalizing out loud
  • 2 minutes as a whisper
  • 4 minutes silent
  • 2 minutes as a whisper
  • 2 minutes vocalizing out loud

Here is a guided meditation recording to support you through the practice of Kirtan Kriya.

The first time I led this practice with my students, their responses were fun to hear: “beautiful”, “calming”, “exhausting” and “powerful”.  One thing is for sure, this meditation makes you work, but in a beautiful way. Try it out and see what benefits you experience.

Wendy Quan, founder of The Calm Monkey, is an industry leader in training and certifying experienced meditators to become mindfulness meditation facilitators in their workplace or community. She combines change management with mindfulness meditation to help people through difficult change and is the creator of the Dealing with Change Toolkit.

Wendy is a certified organizational change manager who has been recognized as a pioneer by the Greater Good Science Center of the University of California, Berkeley, the global Association of Change Management Professionals and the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources. Her clients include Google, the government of Dubai, University of British Columbia, the U.S. Senate, and individuals and Fortune 500 organizations worldwide.

Photo Credit: Miranda Massie

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Free Events This Month: December 2018

By Melissa Lafrance on December 5, 2018

Office Ergo Rep Training | December 18 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

If your department is looking for more efficient response and support with regards to ergonomic issues for staff, consider taking the three-hour Ergo Rep Training. Learn about basic ergonomic risk factors and assessments, proper computer workstation set-up, and resources to take back to your unit. Find out more and register now.

Sit-Stand Desks & Platforms | December 19 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

This workshop will provide important information about different types of sit-stand desks and platforms available for the workplace. Understanding the pros and cons of each will assist departments, staff and faculty in deciding which option may be most suitable. Product samples will be available for participants to try in order to understand how the different models impact physical positioning and workflow. Find out more and register now.  

Ergo Your Office Tutorial | December 19 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Optimize your computer work environment to improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury. This one-hour tutorial combines a presentation with a practical session, giving you hands-on experience adjusting typical office equipment. By the end of the tutorial, you will know how to set up your chair, keyboard/mouse, and monitor to promote neutral working postures. Find out more and register now.

30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge | Begins Every Monday

This free, innovative, evidence-based training is for all UBC staff and faculty looking to incorporate mindfulness into the workplace and in their everyday lives. Content is delivered online via any device, and focuses on simple yet powerful and achievable learning objectives. After just 10 minutes a day for 30 consecutive days, participants will be healthier, more productive and better able to problem-solve and work in a team. Learn more and register for the challenge now.

Coming in 2019:

QPR Suicide Intervention Training | January 23 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

QPR Training is an internationally recognized suicide intervention program designed to help you question, persuade and refer. QPR acts as an emergency mental health intervention designed to save lives, much like CPR or other methods of emergency medical intervention. Learn to recognize suicide warning signs, how to approach someone who may be at risk, persuade the person to seek appropriate health services, and connect the person to resources that will help resolve crises. Find out more and register now.

Self-care for the Caretaker | January 29 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Incorporating aspects of Self-Care 101, this session is designed for those working in front line or helping professions such as advisors, managers, supervisors, faculty and student support staff. In addition to learning about personal self-care, participants will explore the benefits and risks of supporting others while identifying ways to create and maintain supportive and safe environments. Find out more and register now.

The Working Mind for Managers | January 31 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Working Mind is a Mental Health Commission of Canada, evidence-based workplace training program aimed at increasing mental health literacy for managers, supervisors, deans, and department heads.

This education-based and solution-focused program is designed to address and promote mental health and reduce stigma in a workplace setting. Participants will enhance their awareness to reduce stigma and negative attitudes around mental health challenges, have a better understanding of mental health and wellbeing, be able to promote mental health in the workplace, and gain confidence, tools and resources to support employees. Find out more and register now.

The Working Mind for Employees | February 25 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The Working Mind is a Mental Health Commission of Canada, evidence-based, solution-focused workplace training program aimed at increasing mental health literacy for employees. Designed to address and promote mental health in a workplace setting, participants will enhance their awareness to reduce stigma and negative attitudes around mental health challenges. Employees will acquire a better understanding of mental health and wellbeing, be able to promote mental health in the workplace, and enhance personal mental health and resilience. Find out more and register now. 

Photo Credit: UBC Communications and Marketing

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Search Inside Yourself Training: Register by January 4, 2019

By Miranda Massie on October 23, 2018

In support of UBC’s commitment to workplace health and wellbeing, HR is bringing back a unique professional development opportunity for UBC Vancouver faculty and staff.

Developed at Google and founded in neuroscience, Search Inside Yourself (SIY) is a training program that uses emotional intelligence and mindfulness to optimize performance, build leadership skills and increase wellbeing. The SIY program consists of:

  • 2-day, in-person, cohort-based training taught by SIY-certified instructors (January 14 and 15, 2019 at UBC Vancouver)
  • 4 weeks of follow-up exercises, content and cohort conversations via email (approx. mid-January to mid-February)
  • 1-hour debrief session via webinar to integrate learning, answer questions and provide direction going forward (approx. late February)

Cost: $50 per person (eligible for PD funding). Registration deadline: January 4, 2019.

Spots are limited and are filled on a first come, first served basis. Register now! 

What previous participants had to say:

  • 98% of participants would recommend the SIY program to a colleague
  • 85% of participants felt more confident when having difficult conversations
  • 88% of participants reported increased ability to remain calm in challenging situations

“The neuroscience information was insightful and the exercises and practices were interesting enough to consider implementing in my everyday life.”

“I learned that having more compassion towards others and self if a great way to show leadership, to step up and to be more valuable.”

For more information, including program benefits and what’s included in the cost of the program, visit the Search Inside Yourself webpage.

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