Health & Wellness

Statement of Purpose

Rationale
The President’s Advisory Council on Wellness (PACW), formerly the Wellness Committee, is a group of Albright College employees whose purpose is to educate, inspire and support all members of the College community toward a healthy lifestyle and an improved quality of life. The Council is a proactive team that suggests and (where appropriate) implements solutions addressing health, wellness, and morale concerns. Its meetings serve as a forum for the formulation and discussion of health and wellness policies, along with ongoing monitoring of morale within the Albright community.

Definitions

The foundation for wellness at Albright College is based upon the Wellness Wheel. Seven areas of wellness are recognized and defined below:

Spiritual Wellness, the ability to recognize our search for meaning and purpose in human existence.

Emotional Wellness, having the ability to acknowledge and accept a wide range of feelings in oneself as well as in others. It is being able to freely express and manage one’s own feelings to develop positive self-esteem in order to arrive at personal decisions based upon the integration of one’s attitudes and behaviors.

Intellectual Wellness, the ability to recognize your creativity, as a way to stimulate your mind.

Physical Wellness, the ability to recognize the body’s need for physical activity, along with understanding diet and nutrition.

Social Wellness, the ability to relate to and connect with other people in our world. Our ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with family, friends and co-workers contributes to our Social Wellness.

Environmental Wellness, the ability to coexist in the environment in a positive and sustaining way for the environment in which you live.

Financial Wellness, the ability to find the intricate balance of the mental, spiritual and physical aspects of money.

Charge

Mission Statement: To educate, inspire and support all members of the Albright community towards a healthy lifestyle and an improved quality of life.

Vision Statement: The President’s Advisory Council on Wellness is a group of volunteers from the Albright College Community committed to serving students, staff and faculty members in promoting all aspects of wellness, which in turn enables us, individually to lead healthier and more productive lives. This, in turn, lends Albright College the benefit of having happy and engaged community members.

1. The Council shall act in an advisory capacity to the President and Cabinet and recommend to them health and wellness policies for adoption.
2. The Council shall identify health and wellness concerns among the community and suggest appropriate solutions to eliminate or minimize them.
3. The Council shall conduct periodic surveys of the faculty and staff to gauge morale and identify wellness-related concerns.
4. The Council shall solicit and encourage feedback from students, faculty and staff regarding wellness-related issues, ideas, and solutions.
5. The Council shall communicate wellness policies, training programs, and other health- and wellness-related matters to employees and faculty.
6. The Council, working closely with our health insurance provider, will ensure that the community is aware of and able to access all available health insurance benefits.

Membership

1. The size of the Council shall be determined by its workload and assigned duties. Two co-chairs will be responsible for the oversight of the Council.
2. The Council shall include as permanent members, representatives of Human Resources, the Gable Health Center, and the Schumo Center, respectively.
3. The Council shall include at least one student member.
4. Council membership shall reasonably represent all divisions.
5. Members shall serve 3-year staggered terms and be eligible for re-election at the completion of their terms.
6. Nominations for membership may be made by any member of the College community, including self-nominations.
7. All interested parties will be interviewed regarding their interest in wellness as well as their interest in and commitment to serving on the President’s Advisory Council on Wellness.
8. Utilizing information obtained through the interview process, the council members will vote on replacement members. Replacement members receiving the highest number of votes will be offered a position on the Council.
9. The Council shall meet monthly at a mutually accepted day/time.

Council Members

Spiritual Wellness is the ability to recognize our search for meaning and purpose in human existence.

Helpful Links

BUDDHISM
https://www.abc.net.au/health/features/stories/2007/10/11/2054844.htm

CHRISTIAN PRAYERS
http://www.godswill-wellness.com/healing-prayers.html
https://www.positivityblog.com/inner-peace/

INNER PEACE
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Sinclair11.html
http://www.ineedmotivation.com/blog/2008/05/find-inner-peace-in-10-ways/

ISLAM
http://islamicinsights.com/religion/clergy-corner/health-and-wellness-in-islam.html

JEWISH
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/practices/Ethics/Our_Bodies/Health_and_Healing/Caring_for_Ones_Health/A_Jewish_Approach_to_Wellness.shtml
http://www.wellnesstimes.com/health-resources/articles/judaism

MEDITATION
https://www.bphope.com/body-brio-relaxed-in-the-moment/

Emotional Wellness is having the ability to acknowledge and accept a wide range of feelings in oneself as well as in others. It is being able to freely express and manage one’s own feelings to develop positive self-esteem in order to arrive at personal decisions based upon the integration of one’s attitudes and behaviors. (Wayne State University)

Take An Emotional Wellness Quiz

http://www.definitionofwellness.com/wellness-assessments/personal-wellness-quiz.pdf

Tips to Increase Emotional Wellness (from www.wellnessproposals.com)

Emotional wellness is striving to meet emotional needs constructively. It is maintaining good mental health, a positive attitude, high self-esteem, and a strong self-image. It is the ability to respond resiliently to emotional states and the flow of life every day. It is dealing with a variety of situations realistically and learning more about yourself and how things you do affect your feelings. It is taking responsibility for your own behavior and responding to challenges as opportunities.

• Practice optimism.
• Spend time with friends and family discussing important personal concerns and being supportive of each other.
• Participate in self-esteem workshops or support groups.
• Read a self-help book that is of interest to you.
• Learn time management skills and other stress management techniques.
• Attend a wellness forum.
• Smile at least 20 times each day

Emotional Wellness Assessment

The emotional dimension of wellness involves recognizing, accepting and taking responsibility for your feelings. Read each statement carefully and respond honestly by using the following scoring (Source www.wellnessproposals.com ):

Almost always = 2 points            Sometimes/occasionally = 1 point           Very seldom = 0 points

_____  1.  I am able to develop and maintain close relationships.
_____  2.  I accept the responsibility for my actions.
_____  3.  I see challenges and change as opportunities for growth.
_____  4.  I feel I have considerable control over my life.
_____  5.  I am able to laugh at life and myself.
_____  6.  I feel good about myself.
_____  7.  I am able to appropriately cope with stress and tension and make time for leisure pursuits.
_____  8.  I am able to recognize my personal shortcomings and learn from my mistakes.
_____  9.  I am able to recognize and express my feelings.
_____ 10. I enjoy life.

_____ Total for Emotional Wellness Dimension

Score: 15 to 20 Points –  Excellent strength in this dimension.

Score:  9 to 14 Points – There is room for improvement.  Look again at the items in which you scored 1 or 0.  What changes can you make to improve your score?

Score:  0 to 8 Points – This dimension needs a lot of work.  Look again at  this dimension and challenge yourself to begin making small steps toward growth here.  Remember:  The goal is balanced wellness.

Walking to Wellness Sample

http://www.definitionofwellness.com/wellness-handouts/Sample_walking_program.pdf

Wellness Tools and Resources

http://www.definitionofwellness.com/wellness-resources.html

Helpful Links

• 10 Ways to Improve Your Day in Just 5 Minutes
• 5 Tips for Better Work Life Balance
• Albright Counseling Center
• Family Services (Child Care, emotional, health, etc.)
  • Diakon Employee Assistance Program
  • Early learning center – 4 star rated
  • In-home services for seniors

Inspirational Videos

What is Albright Excellence?Albright Excellence, was created following feedback from across campus which suggested that the former Service Excellence program, active from 2005 -2014, be restructured and implemented on campus once again. The new Albright Excellence program will provide customized learning opportunities aimed at empowering Albright College faculty and staff to improve professional interactions and work more efficiently to provide a quality education and experience for our students.

As part of a soft launch of our Albright Excellence program, Debra Alexander, Albright’s HR Advisor, has designed and facilitated a series of 5 supervisory leadership trainings. These trainings were devised to provide a forum for supervisors to share knowledge and build a learning community. As a result, supervisors will develop a common language and approach to leadership, are able to identify policy, process or procedure gaps that may need to be addressed, and be better able to carry-out their responsibilities during this difficult and challenging time.

These segments were recorded and will be available for those unable to participate in the trainings at a later date. In addition to the recorded sessions, listed here are links to the PowerPoint presentations. The most recent trainings were focused around the changes made to our Performance Review process now call Performance Development. Please click here to access valuable information from these leadership trainings.

Intellectual Wellness is the ability to recognize your creativity, as a way to stimulate your mind.

Intellectual Wellness at Albright College

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important Keys to a healthy body;
it is the bais of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”   – John F. Kennedy

The Wellness Program at Albright College promotes intellectual wellness among community members through education of physical activity and exercise, participation in scholastic and cultural activities, and promotion of healthy life choices.  This site serves as an educational hub for Intellectual Wellness opportunities, activities and resources on and off the Albright campus.

• Participation in scholastic, cultural, and community activities is found to assist people maintaining good cognitive functions as they age.  The following are opportunities to take advantage of at Albright.
  • Experience Events Calendar – Broaden your horizons and exercise your brain by going to speakers, performances, and discussions about different topics.
  • Course Catalog – Ever consider taking or auditing an Albright class?  Maybe for training and development or just for fun!
  • Professional Development – The College offers internal Service Excellence and Management & Leadership training.  You can also see divisional supervisors for additional opportunities.
  • The Albright Library – Reading can stimulate the senses! See our book list below!
  • Center For the Arts
• Community Opportunities – Similar to the opportunities at Albright there are numerous cultural and historical opportunities in Berks County to get your mind going.  Healthy mind, healthy body.  Here are some recommendations from the Wellness Committee:
  • Goggle Works
  • Reading Public Museum
  • Daniel Boone Homestead
  • Jonanna Furnace
  • Hopewell Furnace
  • Reading Public Library
  • Kutztown Folk Festival
  • Yocum Institute
  • Berks Jazz Fest
  • Reading Symphony
  • Miller Center
• Exercise and Intellectual Wellness – The following are studies that show that physical activity and exercise promotes mental wellness, helps minimize stress and anxiety, and improves the brain’s ability to solve problems.  Another great resource is Albright’s Schumo Center for Fitness and Well-Being, stop by today!
  • Clear the Cobwebs, Go For a Run, Elaine Mulcahy, PhD
  • Stronger Muscles, Stronger Brains, Candy Sagon
  • Physical Activity and Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation
  • Aerobic Fitness Reduces Brain Tissue Loss in Aging Humans, Stanley J. Colcombe
• Being better prepared and educated to handle stress, work-life-balance, and other family situation can prevent or assist in alleviating things such as depression that can cause larger problems at work, school, and home.  The following are recourses available.
  • EAP information
  • Brown bag lunch
  • Career Services and ALC information on Time and Stress Management
• Puzzles to stimulate your brain
  • Albright-related word searches!
    • 9/17/2012
  • www.boatloadpuzzles.com
  • www.websudoku.com
• Book List
  • “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success”, by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
  • “Spark”, by John J. Ratey, MD
  • “Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World”, by Mark Williams and Danny Penman.
  • “Emotionally Intelligent Leadership”, by Marci Shankman
  • “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”, by Stephen R. Covey
  • “How Full Is Your Bucket”, by Tom Rath and Donald Clifton
  • “Food Rules”, by Michael Pollan
  • “Bird by Bird”, by Anne Lamott.
  • “1984” by George Orwell
  • “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne
  • “Mind Gym : An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence” by Gary Mack
  • “Eat to Lose, Eat to Win: Your Grab-n-Go Action Plan for a Slimmer, Healthier You”  by Rachel Belle
  • “Unlucky 13” by James Patterson
  • “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak
  • “The Giver” by Lois Lowry“Fish!” by Stephen C. Lundin
  • “A Street Cat Named Bob: And How He Saved My Life” by James Bowen

Physical Wellness is the ability to recognize the body’s need for physical activity, along with understanding diet and nutrition.

Classes / Events

• Yoga Flow – every Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. in the group fitness room of the Schumo Center for Fitness and Well-Being.
• Total Body Fitness Class – every Tuesday and Thursday at 12:15 p.m. in the group fitness room of the Schumo Center for Fitness and Well-Being.
• No time to work-out?  Check out this quick and easy solution!

Stress Management

• Need a 10 minute break from your desk or your computer to relieve tight muscles, re-group, and refocus? 
  Utilize the following links for a quick stretch at your desk or learn how to utilize meditation.
  • 10 Minute Stretching Segment
  • Getting Started with Meditation
• Yoga
  • 10 Yoga Poses for Instant Energy
• Massage

Physical Fitness

The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of activity each day to reduce the risk of heart disease.  Physical activity is anything that makes you move your body and burn calories, such as climbing stairs or playing sports. The American Heart association and the American College of Sports Medicine are great resources to help you get started.

American Heart Getting Healthy Home Page:

• http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/GettingHealthy_UCM_001078_SubHomePage.jsp

American College of Sports Medicine “Exercise is Medicine” Video Series:

• http://exerciseismedicine.org/keys.htm

Programs Offered at the Schumo Center for Fitness and Well-Being:

• Fitness Assessment
• Fitness Orientation
• Individualized Exercise Program
• Personal Training
• Group Fitness and  X-Biking Classes
• Aquatic Programs
  • Open Swim, Learn to Swim, Aquatic Exercise Classes, and Scuba Venture.
• Massage Therapy

• The Schumo Center for Fitness and Well-Being
• The Gable Health Center

Healthy Weight / Healthy BMI

• Understanding Body Mass IndexBMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is important to know what your BMI does and does not indicate about your weight, health and lifestyle choices. Your BMI is calculated from your height and weight. It is a fairly reliable indicator of body fat for most adults, with athletes and the elderly being two exceptions. BMI is an inexpensive alternative to direct measurements of body fat, such as underwater weighing, but it is only one of many factors that you and your health-care provider should use in evaluating your health status.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses BMI to define terms like overweight and obese:
  • Underweight: BMI below 18.5
  • Normal weight: 18.5 to 24.9
  • Overweight: 25.0 to 29.9
  • Obese: 30.0 and above.

  Click on the link listed below to utilize WebMD’s BMI plus calculator which will help you determine your personal BMI, recommend a healthy weight range, target heart rate, and an estimated target calorie intake to maintain your current weight or work toward your weight loss goals.

  http://www.webmd.com/diet/calc-bmi-plus

Healthy Diet / Weight Loss

• Jill Zelinsky, is our registered dietician, offers weight management, eating disorders, diabetes, sports nutrition, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. Sessions are 30 minutes long. Appointments are available on specific Monday evenings and can be scheduled by contacting the Gable Health Center at 610-921-7532.
• Albright Dining Services Fresh & Healthy website – a place to learn about the healthy offerings that are available to you in the Albright Dining Center

• Smartphone Apps for Eating Healthy
  • eaTipster Created by the Dietitians of Canada. EaTipster delivers daily healthy eating tips to your mobile devices. The app addresses common food and nutrition questions and concerns and provides tips to increase healthy eating, support a healthy weight and fight chronic disease.
  • Calorie Counter & Diet Tracker. The creators may be MyFitness Pal, but the nutrition analysis features will make this app your best nutrition friend. Adjust goals, enter caloric intake (food) and output (exercise), add to the food library and check the progress screen to track how you’re doing.
  • Eat and Move-o-Matic Developed by the Learning Games Lab at New Mexico State University to support the National 4-H Council’s Youth Choice program, this app lets users compare the calories they eat with the time it would take to burn them off through physical activity.
  • PPepperplate, Version 2.3. Ppepperplate is a comprehensive cooking app. It allows you to save all of your recipes in one place and provides essential tools to plan menus, shop and cook. With it you can create menus, shopping lists, weekly or monthly meal plans and even use the app to monitor multiple cook times in the kitchen. Once synced, you can access your entire recipe collection, shopping lists and menus from any mobile device without an internet connection.
  • Gluten Free Daily. Gluten Free Daily is an online guide built to provide education and resources about following a gluten-free diet. Whether you suffer from celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or are in need of guidance in terms of weight loss, wellness or fitness, this app can help.
  • I Cookbook Diabetic. This app comes from the editors of Diabetic Cooking magazine and the original iCookbook app. iCookbook Diabetic delivers recipes and nutrition information for people with diabetes on the go.
• New Food pyramid  http://www.foodpyramid.com/mypyramid/
• A Diet to Boost Your Mood and Energy Level
• Local, Natural and Organic Goodies:
  • B&H Organic Produce – Morgantown. Organic produce with a focus on greens.
  • Hartz Natural Foods (The “H” of B&H) – Morgantown – is a place for organic dried herbs, and many other random all natural and organic products from cleaners to supplements to meat. A mini grocery store. It is on an organic farm, tucked into the countryside so people who have lived here for years even miss it sometimes!
  • Down Home Acres – Fleetwood. Local, organic produce with a focus on heirloom tomatoes.
  • Nature’s Garden – Reading. Multi-purpose natural store with a little of everything. Like shopping in a mini grocery store.
  • Kimberton Whole Foods –  Kimberton, Douglassville, Downingtown and Ottsville – They have a huge supply of everything under the sun – again like a grocery store.
• Informational sites:
  • PA Organic – Probably the best site ever for Organic info in PA. – http://www.paorganic.org/
  • Kelyn’s Kitchen – My New Blog:http://kelynskitchen.wordpress.com/
  • Eat Wild – Resources on grass fed food info and locations. – http://eatwild.com/products/pennsylvania.html
• Area Farmer’s Markets:
  • Leesport Farmer’s Market
    Wednesdays 7 AM -7PM
  • West Reading Farmer’s Market
    Sundays, 9AM -1PM,  May to November
  • Morgantown Farmer’s Market
    Saturdays, 9AM -1PM, Spring to Fall

General Health

• Answers to Questions About Bisphenol-A

Social Wellness is the ability to relate to and connect with other people in our world. Our ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with family, friends and co-workers contributes to our Social Wellness.

Social Wellness is about relationships. Friendships, family, romance, and how you treat the cashier at the grocery store are all aspects of your Social Wellness. Social Wellness involves your ability to foster intimacy in relationships while maintaining supportive boundaries; respecting the needs of others, as well as balancing a social life with personal responsibilities. When your Social Wellness is in order, you feel both supportive and supported. Social Wellness is about the give and take that occurs in healthy relationships so that everyone feels nurtured and loved.

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Finding_Balance_With_The_7_Aspects_of_Wellness.html

7 Aspects of Wellness 
By The 123 Feel Better Company

Social Wellness is a major life area that is part of the 7 Aspects of Wellness.  It is necessary for a full and complete life.  Our relationships are an important part of who we are and how we feel.  They provide us with a support system during tough times and a place to express our joys when we feel like having fun.  Social Wellness involves building healthy, nurturing and supportive intimate relationships as well as fostering a general connection with everyone around you.  It’s also about learning how to balance your social life with your personal life.

As you explore your Social Wellness, you’ll learn more about setting boundaries, taking care of yourself in relationships, opening up to honesty and sharing your feelings in relationships, and how to reach out to others.  You’ll also discover more about yourself as you determine the types of people you enjoy spending time with and how you can connect with them on a more intimate level.  When you focus on your Social Wellness, you not only feel better, but you want to share that feeling with everyone you meet.  We all need relationships, and the healthier our relationships can be, the better we’ll feel.

College Programs to promote social wellness

• Monthly book clubs – An opportunity to have companionship while sharing viewpoints about interesting novels
• Weekly walks around campus – a way to get some exercise while meeting and making new friends on campus
• Fellowship oriented social groups – small groups sharing that encourages community and personal development

Reading links to Enhance Social Wellness

• Reading Museum
• Goggleworks
• Reading Symphony
• Reading Royals
• Reading Phillies

Alcohol

• The Facts About Underage Drinking in Pennsylvania

Environmental Wellness is the ability to coexist in the Environment in a positive and sustaining way for the environment that you exist in.

USE ECO FRIENDLY HOME CLEANING SOLUTIONS:

• Baking Soda – cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
• Soap – unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates.
• Lemon – one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria.
• Borax – (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
• White Vinegar – cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
• Washing Soda – or SAL Soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. Use care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.
• Isopropyl Alcohol – is an excellent disinfectant. (It has been suggested to replace this with ethanol or 100 proof alcohol in solution with water. There is some indication that isopropyl alcohol buildup contributes to illness in the body.)
• Cornstarch – can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.
• Citrus Solvent – cleans paint brushes, oil and grease, some stains. (Citrus solvent may cause skin, lung or eye irritations for people with multiple chemical sensitivities.)

http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm

RECYCLE

• Place bottles and cans in the appropriate containers both on and off campus
• Look for the green and blue recycle containers in the buildings and offices.   All recycle materials are comingled and sorted at the recycle location.
• Compost leaves and grass clippings
• Donate clothes, shoes, books, and automobiles
• Reuse grocery bags and containers

USE NATIVE PLANTS

• They provide an ecological benefit to the environment.   Since they have adapted to local conditions they are more resistant to pest problems and need less water.
• They provide food and shelter to insects, birds, bees,  butterflies and other creatures
• Look for many listings  under “Native Plants in PA” on the internet or call your local extension office.  In Berks County the phone number is (610)378-1327.
• Albright’s Horticulturist, Frances Torcivia, has extensive lists of natives and information which can be replicated upon request.   She is at ext. 5622.

REPLACE PESTICIDES WITH NATURAL SOLUTIONS

• One teaspoon of dish soap in one quart of water will control a large range of garden pests.
• Mites and aphids can be removed from shrubs with a hard spray from a garden hose.
• One tablespoon of olive oil added to one quart of water with a few drops of liquid soap is an effective way to smother pests and their eggs.

DISPOSE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PROPERLY

• On campus periodic collection dates are posted for materials to be taken to our Science building. Freida Texter Ph.D. is the contact person for that operation. She is at ext. 7747

Financial Wellness is the ability to find the intricate balance of the mental, spiritual and physical aspects of money.

Helpful Links

Financial (Managing a Budget, credit card access, credit scores, identity theft, retirement planning, etc.)

• CTCE Credit Union
• TIAA-CREF Retirement Services
• Social Security Services
• Banking and budgeting services

Do you have any commments about this site or ideas to help make this site better? Please use the form below to let us know how we’re doing and how we can improve. We value your thoughts!