Employee Wellness

Mission Statement

Sonoma State University promotes a culture of wellness amongst faculty and staff to encourage personal and professional productivity, physical and mental well-being, and to promote a healthy lifestyle. We believe that healthy employees are more productive, happier and better prepared to thrive.

The Employee Wellness Program is a voluntary program that is available to all employees and to be utilized during (not in addition to) appropriate rest breaks. Lunchtime fitness classes are considerate of a 30 or 60 minute lunch break so that employees may plan accordingly.

Employee Wellness Program benefits include:

• Yoga Classes
• Mindfulness and Self-Care Classes
• Kaiser Permanente Wellness Webinars
• Kaiser Permanente Flu Shot Clinic
• Vitalant Blood Drives
• CSU Wellness Challenges
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employee Wellness Opportunities

Yoga Classes

Lunchtime yoga classes are open to all experience levels and are a great opportunity to meet employees from other units, while also taking a break to stretch and have a midday reset.

• Mondays and Thursdays (12:05 - 12:55pm, Ives 80): Meditative Yoga with Jeanne Janae 
• Tuesdays and Wednesdays (12:05 - 12:55pm, Ives 80): Yoga Flow with Kim Purdy

Mindfulness and Self-Care Classes

Please join our 30-minute virtual Mindfulness and Self-Care classes with Dr. Andy Wallace, SSU Philosophy professor (pre-registration required). Each class begins with a short description of mindfulness followed by a 15-20 minute mindfulness-based exercise and concludes with a poem. Dr. Wallace will also be available following the class for further discussion.

“The benefits of mindfulness stem, I believe, from the role that it plays in the human caregiving system. Kindness, compassion, and love are the system’s core emotions, and unconditional acceptance of self and other is its raison d’etre. When we meditate mindfully we activate or elicit those emotions and learn to care authentically for ourselves in the same loving spirit as we authentically care for others.” - Dr. Andy Wallace (bio)

These mindfulness classes are held on Fridays from 12 - 12:30pm and will continue throughout the spring semester. Employees interested in attending are asked to please register in order to receive the zoom link for the class.

Wellness Webinars

We are excited to share the line-up for Wellness Webinars offered by Kaiser Permanente this month! Regardless of your health plan, these are offered to all of our employees. Webinars are available on demand for six months after the live stream.

There isn't much that deserves more effort than building your social circle with in-person human connection and support.

• Date: May 1, 2024
• Time: Noon - 1pm
• Register

Calm Meditation Sessions (Every Wednesday in May)

15-minute de-stress exercises using the Calm app.

Kaiser Permanente Flu Shot Clinic

Please check back with us in the fall!

Vitalant Blood Drives

In partnership with SSU Student Involvement and Student Clubs, Vitalant will be hosting on-campus blood drives this spring. These events will be held in the Denali Gym in the Campus Recreation Center from 10am to 1:30pm on the following dates:

• February 13, 2024
• March 6, 2024
• April 16, 2024
• May 1, 2024

Appointments are encouraged and can be scheduled on https://vitalant.org/sonomastate. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Local Marathons

Get ready to lace up your sneakers as the SSU Employee Wellness Program has secured exclusive discount codes for two local running events featuring distances for all levels. Whether you are a seasoned runner or wanting to try something new, you are invited to join us and walk, run or even skip your way to the finish line.

Employee Assistance Program - LifeMatters by Empathia

The employee assistance program (EAP) is designed to provide professional assistance to state faculty, staff and their families (dependents and permanent household members) in assessing and resolving personal matters that may be affecting well-being or job performance. View the LifeMatters brochure or LifeMatters guide for additional information regarding the wide array of resources available. Employees can also download The LifeMatters® App for convenient access to materials.

Benefits include:

• 24/7 telephone assessment/counseling (1-800-367-7474)
• Access to MyLifeMatters (please email payroll@sonoma.edu to obtain the campus specific password)
• 3 free in-person counseling sessions with a local counselor
• Work/life resources and referrals
• Financial consultation with a certified financial counselor
• Legal consultation with an attorney
• Smoking Cessation Program
• Access to Spanish-speaking counselors
• ...and more!

Empathia Webinar

Available on Demand

Empathia Monthly Promotional Content

New Empathia Programs and Website

• Digital Cognitive Behavioral Health - a self-guided program with techniques and tips to address anxiety, depression and stress. 
• Discount Center - members can register and then have access to discounts for travel, entertainment, consumer goods and services. 
• LifeMatters Website Guide

Campus Recreation Center

While the Campus Recreation Center is not affiliated with the employee wellness program, we would like to support our campus community and share employee membership opportunities.

• 7-day free trial - Each faculty and staff is eligible to receive a one-time seven day free trial for the Rec Center. This will allow you to explore the facility and programs at any time during the year. If interested, please sign up at the front desk of the Rec Center.
• Membership options - Discover a variety of membership options available to SSU faculty and staff by signing into the RecPortal with your SSU credentials, stopping by the Rec Center front desk, or by calling (707) 664-3486.

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for our employee wellness program, please feel free to contact employeewellness@sonoma.edu.