April 2026 Employee Wellness Newsletter

As the days get longer and the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time to explore this month’s employee wellness opportunities. From yoga and movement classes to mindful moments and wellness webinars, April’s offerings bring a variety of ways to refresh both body and mind.

Get Healthy Challenge

Join the Campus Rec Center’s free Get Healthy Challenge. Complete weekly challenges to be entered to win prizes. The more challenges you complete, the better chances to win while improving your overall health! Register by April 6th to join the challenge running from April 6th - May 11th.

Vitalant Blood Drive

In partnership with SSU Student Involvement and Student Clubs, Vitalant will be hosting an on-campus blood drive:

• Tuesday, April 28, 2026 (10:00am - 2:15pm)
• Parking Lot D, Bloodmobile
• Appointment Link (appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome)

Yoga and Pilates Classes

Lunchtime yoga and pilates 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. Please join us in Ives 80 from 12:05 to 12:55pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Yoga mats are available.

• Mondays: Pilates
• Wednesdays: Meditative Yoga
• Thursdays: Meditative Yoga 

Couch to 5K Training!

Please join our 45-minute Couch to 5K Training with Yavé Guzman Valdez (bio)! Training is held weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Arbor and Lakes from 12:05 to 12:50pm, beginning January 13, 2026. All levels are welcome, from beginners to intermediate as well as advanced runners looking for some extra workouts.Suggested items to bring with you: A pair of good running shoes, comfortable clothing to run in, water, post-run snack, and a yoga mat. 

Wellness Webinars

Kaiser Permanente is offering a range of wellness webinars open to all employees, regardless of your health plan. Most sessions are available on-demand for six months after the live stream, with the exception of the Calm Meditation Sessions, which are only available live.

• Move It Mondays
  These 30-minute classes are designed to boost both your body and your mind and are available for all fitness levels. These classes will include a gentle warm-up, energizing movement, and a cool down. 
  • Date: April 6 & 20, 2026
  • Time: Noon - 12:30pm
  • Register
   
• Digital Detox
  Explore the benefits of unplugging from screens and find practical ways to reclaim focus, rest, and balance.
  • Date: April 15, 2026
  • Time: Noon - 1pm
  • Register
   
• Cultivating Compassion (Mindfulness)
  Explore the definition of mindfulness, the benefits to being in the present moment, and how to build this skill of awareness. Throughout the webinar, you will have the opportunity to practice various mindfulness activities.
  • Date: April 16, 2026
  • Time: Noon - 1pm
  • Register
   
• Cultivating Compassion
  True compassion begins within. Explore what it means to cultivate compassion not just for others, but also for yourself. Focus on essential practices of setting healthy boundaries and releasing what you cannot control. 
  • Date: April 20, 2026
  • Time: Noon - 1pm
  • Register
   
• Wellness Unfiltered. Hype or Health?
  Learn how to distinguish health “hypes” from evidence-based practices, explore different wellness trends and identify which ones are helpful (or not) — wearables, recovery tools, supplements, and diet trends, and apply a practical, sustainable approach to wellness that fits your everyday life.
  • Date: April 23, 2026
  • Time: 12:30 - 1:30pm
  • Register

Calm Meditation Sessions

Join for 15 minutes to de-stress, reset, and renew yourself.

• April 8, 2026 (10 - 10:15am) - Join here at the time of event
• April 22, 2026 (2 - 2:15pm) - Join here at the time of event

Also check out: 10 Mindfulness Exercises to Include In Your Daily Routine

Kaiser Cooking Videos

Cook your way to better health! Learn the basics of flavorful, plant-based cooking.

• Mediterranean Pantry Pasta
• Rainbow Spring Rolls
• Rainbow Chard, Sweet Potato, and Pinto Bean Tacos

Kaiser's Financial and Digital Detox Challenge - Stress Less, Invest More, Unplug Often

This month’s challenge is all about creating calm and confidence both financially and mentally. Challenge yourself to increase the amount you’re saving and take small, intentional steps to invest in your future. Money stress is one of the biggest sources of anxiety, but taking control of your finances can ease that pressure and give you peace of mind. Start by reviewing your monthly budget and finding small areas to save because every little bit adds up. Whether it’s contributing to a savings account, building an emergency fund, or meeting with a financial planner, each action you take is an investment in your long-term well-being. And here’s a twist: try pairing this challenge with a digital detox. Take a break from online shopping, financial scrolling, or constant comparisons on social media. Use that time to reflect, plan, and reset your priorities. When you pay yourself first, you’re not just saving money, you’re saving peace of mind and setting yourself up for a more balanced, stress-free future.

Campus Recreation Center

Employees have access to the Campus Rec Center, offering a wide range of fitness, recreational and wellness resources that support physical and mental wellbeing along with opportunities to connect and build community outside of your work space. More information about the Rec Center’s facilities, classes, and hours of operation can be found at Campus Recreation’s Rec Portal. Instructions for activating your employee access are available on our website.

Faculty/Staff Basketball Group:

Interested in joining a faculty/staff basketball group to play in the Rec Center on Mondays at 5pm? Contact Mike Dominguez directly at [email protected] with any questions or to join!