The Gifts of 2025

We feel grateful to do this work: supporting you, enhancing our culture of wellness, and hearing your stories. 

 "I'm grateful to be witness to the courage and inspiration that people in our community give us." Melisa Oliva, Integrative Health and Wellness Coach.

In this episode we give thanks, celebrate the 2025 Wellness Champion, share the wellness wishes of our Ambassadors, highlight the gifts of 2025, & promote the opportunities of 2026! 

Check out Waves of Wellness 8 for tips, perspectives, and resources for support.

Shifting the Approach

We ask ourselves, "What if mindfulness.....

• Didn't have to mean sitting still?

• Could be active, playful, and imaginative?

• Were something fun that you actually looked forwar to integrating into your life?  

In this episode we highlight the Reimagine Mindfulness events and hear from employees sharing their experiences.  We share reasons to consider a mindfulness practice and ways to incorporate small moments into your team to practice mindfulness at work.  Explore the many resources available for employees to experience mindfulness & other health and wellness events and resources coming up, Spring Employee Coaching Connecting, virtual workshops, & Personal coaching for employees from December to January!  

Check out Waves of Wellness 7 for tips, perspectives, and resources for support.

Strategies for a Grounding Sememster

Feel more grounded, intentional, and well.    As the fall semester settles in, we've had the privilege of working with employees acress campus - those supporting students directly and those behind the scenes in admisnistrative roles.  This season often brings a whirlwind of responsibilities, shifting routines, and the pressure to "get it all done."  Together, we have been exploring how to adjust to the demands of a new semester, while staying connected to what matters most.  

In this episode we hightlight 5 strategies for your semester, share events to support these strategies including vaccine clinics, Reimagine Mindfulness events, and on-going resources to prioritize your health and wellbeing.  

Check out Waves of Wellness 6 for tips, perspectives, and resources for support.

How can laughter make us more productive?

Humor is a secret superpower  that can make the workplace more fun, engaging, and productive. It encourages creativity and teamwork, leading to better ideas and solutions. It sounds simple, but it sets the tone: we’re here to work hard, but we’re also here to enjoy the ride.

A Stanford University study published in the journal Social Behavior and Personality found that leaders with a sense of humor are seen as 27% more admirable and motivating than those who don’t joke around. This same study overview highlights that humor buffers stress, mutes negative emotions, and enhances job satisfaction and performance. 

Check out Waves of Wellness 5 for tips, perspectives, and resources for support.

How can we cultivate a heart-centered team?

Ernesto Méndez, PhD, is doing more than leading important work in agroecology—he’s helping shape a culture of care and connection at UVM.

In our work as Integrative Health and Wellness Coaches, we have the honor of collaborating with UVM employees across a variety of roles. These employees recognize, both individually and collectively, the transformative power of wellness.  

In this edition, we’re shining a light on how groups can create powerful spaces for wellbeing. When leaders and teams prioritize health, connection, and psychological safety, a shared experience is developed that positively shapes how we work together. 

Check out Waves of Wellness 4 for tips, perspectives, and resources for support.

How can we shift our habits to support our energy needs?

Reconnecting with nature — even in small ways — can be a powerful way to regain clarity, replenish energy, and rediscover priorities.

Nature guides us back to what’s important, enabling us to live with greater intentionality. This edition of Wave of Wellness offers some resources and tips to help you connect and thrive.

Check out Waves of Wellness 3 for tips, resources, and recipes for support.

How can we shift our habits to support our energy needs?

Summer days can feel long—and keeping up with demands on our energy can be daunting! Many of us only have a moment to ourselves by the time evening falls and we can easily slip into a pattern of late-night snacking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 42% of U.S. adults are affected by obesity. Research from Harvard Medical School found that late-night eating can actually increase hunger—and risk of obesity. We can flip the script on habits that don’t help us! 

Check out Waves of Wellness 2 for tips, resources, and recipes for support.

How can we balance professional success with personal wellbeing?

Statistics show that work-life balance improves job satisfaction and reduces burnout. According to the American Psychological Association’s 2023 Work in America Survey, the “Surgeon General defines work-life harmony as the integration of work and non-work demands through the human needs of autonomy and flexibility.”  

Read Waves of Wellness 1 for perspective and ways to balance better.