Category Archives: Intellectual

Our minds need to be continually inspired and exercised just as our bodies do. The intellectual dimension encourages openness to new ideas, motivation to master new skills, a sense of humor, creativity, and curiosity. People who possess a high level of intellectual wellness have an active mind and never stop learning. Striving for personal growth and a willingness to seek out and use new information are also characteristics of an intellectually-well individual

Interfaith Week: A Chance to Understand Other Religious Traditions!

Interfaith Week is an opportunity to better understand a number of religious traditions that meet on campus! For an entire week, UND will be holding several events throughout campus so be sure to come check them out!

Interfaith Week is February 24th through March 2nd. The Events are listed below by day.

Monday, Febuary 25th

1)      One God, One Common Faith – Noon at the Lecture Bowl in the Memorial Union. Presented by the Grand Forks Baha’i

2)      Meditation Basics – 5:30-6:30PM at the Lotus Meditation Center

3)      Wiccan Spirituality & Esbat Ceremony – 7-8PM at the Lotus Meditation Center

Tuesday, February 26th

1)      Discovering my Spiritual DNA – Noon in the lecture bowl at the Memorial Union. Presented by Bob Bartlett

2)      An Evil Little Story – 5-6:30PM in the lecture bowl at the Memorial Union

3)      Separation of Church and State: An Evil Little Story – 5PM at the Lecture Bowl in the Memorial Union. Presented by the UND Freethinkers

4)      Submerge – 7PM at Hopper Danley. Presented by H2O

Wednesday, Febuary 27th

1)      Soup and Share – Noon at Christus Rex

2)      Interfaith Fair at the Wellness Expo – Noon-5PM at the Wellness Center

3)      Prayers in the Desert – 6PM at Christus Rex

4)      CHRISTIAN RAP and ROCK INFINITE FAITH MUSIC CHALLENGE – 7:30PM in the Loading Dock at the Memorial Union

Thursday, February 28th

1)      Lunch with Muslim – Noon at the International Centre. Presented by the Muslim Student Association

2)      Buddhism 101 “Do you want to get enlightened?” – 6-7PM at Hopper Danley

3)      Building a Better Society – 6PM at the International Centre. Presented by the Grand Forks Baha’i

4)      Native American Spirituality – 7:15-8:30PM at Hopper Danley. Presented by Patrick Anderson. Presented by Allan Demaray

Friday, March 1st

1)      Finding your Way: Seeking Directions When You Don’t Know You’re Lost – 11AM at Christus Rex. Presented by Tera Ellness

2)      Christian Views on Big Questions – Noon at Christus Rex

3)      Yogathon – 4PM in the Wellness Center Group Exercise Room

Saturday, March 2nd

1)      Interfaith Service Project – 4PM at Christus Rex

For more information regarding Interfaith Week and the events, click HERE!

Intellectual: Roll The Dice with Your Financial Wellness

Intellectual

Roll The Dice with Your Financial Wellness @ McCannel Hall

February 1, 2013

I did not to know what to expect from the grand opening of the Financial Wellness center at McCannel Hall. I had heard a lot about the grand opening at several other events and everyone who was working on the grand opening seemed very excited. When I got to the top of McCannel Hall  I was packed into a room filled with people. The Financial Wellness Center looked like an ordinary office  with a larger cubical for private meetings. The space seemed well organized and the staff seemed very excited which seemed to make everyone else excited. The president, vice president of the university and a person from a sponsoring bank spoke at the grand opening. Once I got through the crowd of people I found a bookcase filled with free resources and guides. I grabbed a few on some subjects that I was not as familiar with. I think this center will really allow me to become more financially independent and secure. This can certainly take the burden of finances  off of my plate so I can focus on my school work instead of how I am managing my money.

Pursuit of Wellness: Intellectual

Dimension: Intellectual
Activity: Roll the Dice with your Financial Life
When: February 1, 2013 10AM – 2PM

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went to this event. When I got to the fourth floor of McCannel, I was welcomed by a few people with name tags. After I signed up for the chance to win a $100 gift card from the Bookstore, I talked to a guy named Andrew. Andrew explained to me that the event was the opening of the Financial Wellness office. He said that he and the other name-tag wearers were available to talk to students about their financial situations. Each of the financial advisors specializes in a certain area. Students can make appointments to talk about getting out of debt, planning for the future, and other financial matters.

As I have attended different events as part of the Pursuit of Wellness Challenge, I have learned about existing programs and new programs–like the Financial Wellness Office–that are available to all students to help with all dimensions of wellness.

Dimension: Intellectual

Not sure if I’m filling this out right but I’ll give it a try.

Activity: Todd Hebert: A Survey at the ND Museum of Art

Thursday, January 9th at 2:30pm

For this activity I visited a building I have never been to since attending UND.  I am a graduate student in physical therapy and I am currently in the 2nd semester.  I was actually surprised how much I enjoyed the exhibit and it was a nice change from the overwhelming amount of information I have received this 1st week of class.  It seems like I have been so focused on my physical therapy course work I really haven’t devoted anytime to learning about my surrounding area and its history.  The art by Todd was very interesting and it seemed every piece of art had some sort of familiar theme they shared.  From a distance the art looked so realistic, but as I approached the art it got really blurry with a few small parts of the image that were sharp.  There were plenty of snowmen, empty water bottles, park benches, and Halloween themes, and bubbles in his work.  I was quite impressed on how real the bubbles looked as I am not very artistic myself and can’t even draw a straight line!  My favorite piece was “iceberg” as it almost looks like an actual photograph from a distance.  There were also some odd devil babies upstairs I didn’t quite get.  I’m sure everyone else interprets all the art in their own way, but overall it was a good experience and a nice change of pace from school.  Turns out there’s more to do on campus than constantly thinking about coursework.

Image

My favorite piece of art (source: http://www.bellwethergallery.com/artindivid02.cfm?PageNum_artc=2&fid=1)

 

Experiences of Fitness Intern at the UND Wellness Center

The reason I was drawn to the FLEX Internship was the opportunity to get all-around practice in a fitness setting.  I’ve always been enthusiastic about exercise and physical fitness, and before I started this internship I knew what my personal strengths were in the health/wellness field, but I knew there was more that I hadn’t seen yet.  The Wellness Center is the perfect place to see all different dimensions of health that are used to help people to live healthier lives.  I wanted to use this internship to help spark new interests and make decisions about potential career opportunities.  I was surprised at some of the new things that interested me, and I am really glad I found  ways to mix what I love doing with helping people improve their lives.  The projects I was a part of exposed me to many different aspects of the fitness world, from training to weight loss, and really gave me a well rounded knowledge of the health and wellness field.

_MG_0195The largest portion of my internship was giving various fitness assessments to Wellness Center clients. Not only did I learn the practical aspects of how to complete each assessment, I also had to interpret the results of those tests to clients who either had no experience in health or fitness, or had years of experience and asked very advanced questions.   Right away, I was nervous because I didn’t really trust myself when giving advice on others people’s health.  But this turned out to be incredibly beneficial to me because I had no previous experience working with clients and gave me a huge confidence boost in my ability to communicate with clients at all experience levels.

When I wasn’t giving fitness assessments, I was given various projects, some based off my own background and interests.  Because I had a strong background in strength training previous to the internship, my first project was a six-week weight lifting class.  I was given complete freedom in the design and implementation of the class, which was really cool, but at the same time was challenging and gave me a better perspective of how much thought has to go into a training program.  At times it could be stressful, especially making adjustments for the different fitness levels, but it was rewarding seeing people from my class coming into the weight room and confidently completing lifts that I taught them.  Overall, the class was successful, and again, was a confidence builder –as it turned out I knew much more than I first assumed.  Other projects, programs, and events that I took part in included: Maintain Don’t Gain Campaign, Exercise is Medicine, Family Fun Days, and basic equipment orientation, which all further promoted my growth in the field.

I think the most beneficial program I was a part of was the Exercise is Medicine Program that is available at the Wellness Center.  The program receives clients who have been prescribed exercise as medical treatment.  I only worked in it for a brief time, but during that time I learned a lot.  Much of the time was spent building a trusting relationship, and learning more about the client so I could help figure out the best way to guide them into an exercise routine.  I did more research preparation for Exercise is Medicine clients, so I could better answer any questions that came up for their particular situation.  I think I enjoyed this part of the internship the most because it was a new way of training that didn’t involved athletics.  It wasn’t just about athletic gain; it was helping people live healthier. _MG_0725

Overall, my FLEX Internship experience was great!  The Wellness Center took my interests into account when deciding the projects that I worked on, but at the same time exposed me to completely different things, like the Exercise is Medicine Program, which ended up being a huge part in helping me make some big decisions about what to do with my Exercise Science degree.  But besides the projects, I was constantly surrounded by fitness enthusiasts who were always around to offer advice and tips when I had questions.  This opportunity was amazing and I’m incredibly thankful!  I’ve gained tons of useful skills that I know will be necessary for my future education and potentially my career.  I think it’s opportunities such as this that can help students gain experience and confidence in the field of health and wellness.

- Megan Gray

Diabetes Prevention Program

Do you want to increase your physical activity, improve your food choices, and lose 5-7% of your body weight?! If you said YES, be sure to register for the Diabetes Prevention Program!

The results are REAL. A previous participant talks about her experience with the Diabetes Prevention Program…

“As a result of reading the food labels and attempting to eat fewer than 33 fat grams per day, I lost 58 pounds. Because of the weight loss, I am no longer taking pain medication for my knee. In September 2012 my glucose was normal, so I am no longer prediabetic!” – Eileen Tronnes Nelson, UND Staff

Register soon to receive a special incentive of a $125 return from a grant and Work Well for the first 10 UND staff/faculty members who register. The upfront cost is $189, but with the return it was only $64 or $4 per week. PLUS, get your metabolism tested for free as part of the program. The program starts on January 14th, and classes are on Monday from 4:45-5:45 in the UND Wellness Center Room 121. If you are not one of the first 10 people to register, you can join the class for a price of $189.

For more information visit UND.edu/workwell and click on Programs and Diabetes Prevention. To register, contact Molly Soeby at 218.230.0070.

Registration deadline is January 10th!

A New Year, and a Healthier YOU!

2013 is quickly approaching..1396134_new_year_13.this could mean a new year and a healthier YOU! The UND Wellness Center is holding a promotion for 20% off semester and annual memberships.

Payroll deduction is an option for payment for faculty or staff. BCBSND members that have the Health Club Credit benefit can also receive $20 back per month by exercising a minimum of 12 times for that month.

But hurry fast!…the deadline to purchase is JANUARY 31st! For more information please see the Welcome Desk, visit UND.edu/wellness, or contact Deb Kolling at 701.777.0486.

Maintain, Don’t Gain this holiday season!

Maintain Don’t Gain this holiday season!

Healthy UND Challenge

Healthy UND Challenge

Most Americans gain around a pound of weight every year during the holidays, which doesn’t seem like much, but studies show that the one pound gained during this time of year isn’t lost throughout the rest of the year.  Overtime, the yearly one pound addition to body weight can have some serious effects on our health- hypertension, diabetes, etc.  Maintain Don’t Gain is an awareness project, hopefully getting people to think about the decisions they make during this time of year, specifically about what they eat and their activity levels.  It’s easier to prevent weight gain than it is to lose the pounds later.

No Wellness Center-No Problem

Exercise should still be considered a priority.  Not only is it important to maintain activity levels but it can also help deal with any stress that goes along with the holidays.  If you keep active over the break it will be easier to get back into your normal routine once you return.

Shoveling snow, outdoor winter activities, indoor body weight workouts

Winter Running/Walking Tips:

  1. Wear multiple layers, with the first layer being a synthetic material, such as polypropylene, which will helps wick away sweat/moisture.  Stay away from cotton because it holds in moisture and will keep you wet.
  2. Protect your hands and feet with gloves and thick socks.
  3. Cover your head.  About 40% of your body heat is lost from your head, and wearing a hat will help prevent heat loss so your circulatory system will have more heat to distribute to the rest of the body.
  4. Start your run into the wind, than it will be at your back at the end of the workout, when you’re sweaty.
  5.  If the temperature is at or below zero, stick with an indoor activity.

 

Holiday Meal Time

Think small.  Enjoy the food, but keep the portions under control.

Take breaks.  Try not to rush through your whole plate of food, so you can better gauge when you’re full.  It can take up to 20 minutes for your stomach to signal the brain that it’s full.

Be mindful of alcohol intake.  Alcohol contains useless calories that change your blood sugar levels and, in the short term, can increase hunger levels and cause unnecessary snacking.

Why It’s Important to Track Your Activities                        

Keeps you honest.

You can see results and progress-good and bad.

Keep track of activities you enjoy or don’t enjoy.

To get registered for the challenge – head to the Healthy UND webpage , stop by the Fitness Desk at the Wellness Center or the Healthy & Wellness Hub in the Union!  Stay on track this holiday season!

Are You in the Pursuit of Better Grades?!…

Are you in the pursuit for better grades?! Well, it’s that time of year again…The Pursuit of Wellness is coming to campus once again January 9th! The Pursuit of Wellness is a game designed for UND students to learn the correlation between wellness and academic success. Students will be encouraged to participate in a variety of existing campus activities, all of which connect to at least one of the 7 dimension.pursuit_slider_teaser

The Pursuit of Wellness will be played from January 9th – February 27th. Students can complete the game at their own pace by picking what days and what activities they want to participate in.

Incentives will be placed throughout the game for encouraged participation among UND students. Winners of the prizes, including the winner of the ULTIMATE POW Challenge will be announced at the Wellness Expo at the UND Student Wellness Center on February 27th.

Students will have 7 weeks to attempt to receive all 7 WOW’s. There will be several chances to earn a WOW from each of the 7 Dimensions, featuring an activity from a different dimension every day, of each week. At each activity, students will ASK for a Wristband of Wellness, referred to as a “WOW,” indicating that they fulfilled one of their 7 Dimensions (e.g. Red WOW = Physical; Yellow WOW= Intellectual; Green WOW = Environmental; Indigo WOW = Social; Purple WOW = Spiritual; Blue WOW = Occupational; Orange WOW = Emotional). Don’t forget to ASK!

Add your activity or event to the game board.
Submit your application for your activity to be included in the Pursuit of Wellness Challenge. Fill out this event submission form (www.UND.edu/health-wellness/pursuit)and return it to Karina Wittmann or mail to STOP 8365, Attn: Karina Wittmann for your event to be considered. All applications must be submitted by December 14th, 2012.

Keep your holidays healthy!

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, but also have a great meal with your family and friends.  Even though you may be tempted by some delicious dishes, it’s still important to keep your health in mind.  Try to use the “plate method” when dishing up your Thanksgiving meal.  This means fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, one-fourth of your plate with lean protein, and the last fourth with whole grains. 

This can be done at Thanksgiving dinner!  Luckily, many of the traditional Thanksgiving foods fit into these categories:

Fruits and vegetables (fill half of your plate):
-Sweet Potatoes
-Cranberries
-Green Bean casserole
-Side Salad
-Cooked vegetables

Lean Protein (limit to one-fourth of your plate):
-Turkey
-Ham

Grains (and starchy vegetables) (limit to one-fourth of your plate):
-Mashed potatoes
-Stuffing
-Whole wheat dinner roll

And Thanksgiving dinner isn’t Thanksgiving without some dessert right?  It’s alright to indulge every once in a while, but do limit yourself to only one piece of pie, cookie or bar; and keep your portion size in check!

 

While you won’t be able to work off everything you ate, you can combat holiday weight gain by taking in a walk with your family before or after those big meals, playing a game of touch football, freeze tag, going ice skating, or building a snowman with your family.

Get as much of your family involved as you can to make it an enjoyable and healthy family get together.

 

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