

Employee Wellness Newsletter
August 2023

SUPPORT THE SPREAD OF WELLNESS
Welcome to the Employee Wellness and Support Services newsletter, dedicated to enhancing your mental & emotional, physical, nutritional, and financial wellness. Our focus is firmly set on fostering a proactive approach to health and well-being. Within the EWS Newsletter, you'll discover an array of resources, and insightful suggestions curated to help alleviate anxiety and stress.
Please note that the content shared in this newsletter comprises brief highlights from wellness articles. To delve deeper into the subject, simply click on the source link or the accompanying photo to access the complete article.
AUGUST IS WELLNESS MONTH
WE FOCUS ON TEACHER WELL-BEING
TEACHERS: PROTECTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Tips for Teacher Well-Being
The busyness that comes with starting the new school year can come as a shock to the system when you’re still in a relaxed holiday mode.
Check out our 10 tips for surviving the shift, and for making your wellbeing a priority.
1. Reconnect to your purpose
2. Adopt a growth mindset in your teaching
3. Focus on kindness and gratitude
4. Create clear boundaries between home and school
5. Set up effective debriefing and mentoring structures
6. Establish good sleeping habits
7. Build up your emotional resilience
8. Keep focused on your goals
9. Reward yourself
10. Build new connections and relationships
Source: REACHOUT
MDLive + Behavioral Health
How to Register for Free Virtual Counseling
To receive MDLive + Behavioral Health free virtual counseling and therapy benefits throughout the year, you must enroll during the Benefits Open Enrollment Window, open now until August 17.
Therapeutic specialties include addiction, chemical dependency, depression, eating disorders,
grief and loss, men’s issues, panic disorders, stress… and more.
Counseling and therapy sessions are available for individuals, couples, families, and children ages 10 to 26 years. In order for your children to receive counseling or therapy, you must list them as your dependents even if they do not receive your BCBS TX benefits.
For more information, please contact the Irving ISD Benefits Department at 972.600.5241.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
How Exercise Boosts Teacher Wellbeing
Happiness, energy and confidence are boosted by focusing on teacher wellbeing.
Do you ever feel that with all the demands on your time and energy as a teacher exercise is the last thing you can fit into your day? You need super-human levels of energy and motivation to fit everything in your day already.
It may surprise you to learn that the benefits of exercise go way past being able to squeeze back into your favorite jeans (and you will probably be able to achieve that too!).
Incorporating exercise into your teaching day will actually give you more time and energy!
Source: thehighlyeffectiveteacher.com
Free Exercise Programs
Camp Gladiator is a fitness program for all levels. You can work with certified personal trainers or livestreamed workouts that will motivate and keep you accountable to accomplishing your goals.
SunstoneFIT @ Las Colinas is a healthy approach to increased flexibility, increased focus, and a sense of serenity. You will be able to discover and build your body to a powerful instrument for physical development and personal growth.
NUTRITIONAL HEALTH
7 Eating Habits of a Successful Teacher
Teachers are some of the busiest people in the world, and their hectic schedules have a tendency to impact their diets.
The food you eat affects more than just your basic health – it also affects your energy levels and your ability to be productive. Healthy eating habits will make you better for yourself and better for your students.
1. Eating a Real Breakfast
Keeping simple healthy things in the fridge that you can grab and eat on the go is a must. Fresh fruit, yogurt, nuts, and granola are quick and easy to toss together. It’s filling and nutritious.
2. Keeping Healthy Snacks Nearby
When lunchtime seems too far away or you feel a little more hungry than usual, make sure you have access to healthy snacks.
3. Enjoying a Power Lunch
Packing your lunch will save you time and money. By throwing greens, healthy grains, and lean proteins together into a flavorful bowl, you only have one thing to microwave. You might even prefer to eat it cold. Salads, burrito bowls, and ramen bowls are cheap, easy, and healthy.
4. Cooking a Nutritious Dinner
Spend your weekends putting together freezer meals. Throw them in the slow cooker in the morning and by dinner time, everything will be ready for you.
5. Avoid Drinking Calories
The problem is with soda and juices that deceptively pack a caloric punch. Keep a water bottle with a fruit infuser at your desk. You can refill it a few times for naturally flavored water that won’t integrate a ton of unnecessary calories into your diet.
6. Eating a Variety of Foods
One area in your life where you don’t want to adhere to routine is with your diet. Eating a wider variety of foods incorporates more nutrients into your diet. If you’re trying to eat more lean protein, don’t limit yourself to chicken. Incorporate turkey and different kinds of fish. Variety is the spice of life.
7. Allowing for the Occasional Indulgence
Being too strict in your diet might make you go a little crazy. If you want a piece of cheesecake or some pizza occasionally, go for it. You can use it to reward yourself for grading all of those exams.
A few common sense based practices and a little planning ahead can help you give your body the food it needs, so you can fuel yourself through the school year.
Source: teach.com
Nutritional Resources - No Cost
Blue365 provides top-tier health and wellness discounts, and membership is complimentary. These exclusive benefits are accessible to BCBS TX members.
HUSK Nutrition extends personalized nutrition consultations by a registered dietitian to IISD employees, their spouses, and dependents, all covered by BCBS TX.
FINANCIAL HEALTH
Foundation99 serves as a financial education program aimed at empowering you to manage your finances effectively, alleviate financial stress, and achieve your goals for a more secure future. Our objective is to help you proactively set financial goals and make meaningful progress towards them
TCG provides comprehensive support for retirement and investment planning, budget preparation, plan consolidation, and enhancing your understanding of pension options.
Through New York Life Group Benefits Solutions, you gain access to skilled financial planners and accountants who offer guidance in debt management, family and budgeting estate planning, and tax planning.
Source: EWS Webpage – Wellness Wall – Financial Health
EXTRA EXTRA!
WELLNESS IS FOR ALL SHAPES ALL SIZES ALL THE TIME
About Us
Employee Wellness and Support Services fosters avenues and provides resources that empower employees to cultivate and sustain robust mental & emotional, physical, nutritional, and financial well-being. Our approach entails offering steadfast support and guidance while championing personal and professional growth through educational involvement, thereby enhancing productivity on all fronts.
Reach out to us via email: iisdewsresources@irvingisd.net or by phone 972-600-5249.
Newsletter
Questions, Suggestions, Comments
Contact
Jose Villasenor
972-600-5217 O | 469-781-1843 M