a woman in a meditative position behind her computer

Practicing Mindfulness

It can sometimes feel like you’re on autopilot at work. Many people may find themselves caught up with daily tasks, rushed with their meals, and only taking time for brief conversations in passing. Sometimes we forget to slow down and appreciate the moment. Practicing mindfulness in your work, communication, and eating habits is important to […]

red and blue wooden figures on either side of a bridge labeled (communication skills"

Time to Talk: Having Challenging Conversations

Tricia Burke, Ph.D.Professor | Assistant ChairDept. of Communication Studies  When I sat down to write this article, I searched Google Scholar for “difficult conversations.” The first page of results was mostly comprised of articles about delivering difficult medical news to patients. There are certainly times when we might be apprehensive about delivering medical news to […]

animated graphic of a person with flowers and leaves sprouting from their head

Optimizing Your Wellness Toolkit 

“From seed to serenity; planting wellness within.” Welcome to a new academic year!  The WellCats theme for this year is all about building your Wellness Toolkit. This month, we will introduce this idea and we will build on it each month.  Your wellness toolkit is a collection of practices and information you can draw from […]

Summer Wellness Tip: Stay Hydrated!

As the summer heat intensifies, staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining your health and well-being. Dehydration can lead to various health issues, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Here are some tips to ensure you stay properly hydrated: 1. Drink Plenty of Water – Aim to drink at least 8 glasses (64 ounces) of water […]

Financial Freedom

Personal finance is a critical aspect of life that affects everyone, especially employees who earn a regular income. Effective personal financial management can lead to financial security, reduced stress, and the ability to achieve financial goals. Budgeting: The Foundation Budgeting is the cornerstone of personal finance. It involves creating a plan for how to spend […]

Unplug, Reset, to Restore!

Tricia Burke, Ph.D., Dept. of Communication Studies We are more connected to and reliant upon our devices than ever. We use our phones to check our work emails and to communicate with our friends and family; this means we often see work emails at home and get personal texts at work. The combination of these […]

Fostering a Healthier Work Environment

“Resilience is a precious skill. People who have it have three advantages: a belief they can influence life events, a tendency to find meaning and purpose in life’s turmoil, and a conviction they can learn from positive and negative experiences.” – Amanda Ripley On a scale of 1-10, how stressed do you feel while at […]

All About the Microbiome

Have you heard of terms like the microbiome, gut microbiota, or gut flora and been confused by their meaning? Ever wondered how probiotics and prebiotics relate to these terms? Read on to learn more about the fascinating world of the microbiome and how it relates to our health. What exactly is the gut microbiome? The […]

A #HeartTruth with Alli England

We all know that healthy lifestyle choices are an important part of caring for our hearts. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar are some of the main risk factors for heart disease. A healthy diet, physical activity, managing stress, and quitting smoking can all help to keep them in check, but it’s […]