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 and Pilates Classes
  • Couch to 5K Training!
  • Mindfulness and Self-Care Classes
  • Health Promotion Classes
  • Wellness Webinars
  • Calm Meditation Sessions
  • Vitalant Blood Drives
  • CSU Wellness Challenges
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employee Wellness Opportunities

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, Monday through Thursday. Yoga mats are available.

  • Mondays: NEW!!! - Pilates with Jeanne Janae
  • Tuesdays: Slow Flow Yoga with Kim Purdy - explore the stress reduction benefits of yoga with focused and intentional movement at a slower pace.
  • Wednesdays: Yoga Groove with Kim Purdy - movement focused yoga paced to upbeat music
  • Thursdays: Meditative Yoga with Jeanne Janae - meditate, stretch and practice different yoga poses 

New! Couch to 5K Training!

The Employee Wellness Program is excited to announce a new 45-minute Couch to 5K Training class with Yavé Guzman Valdez (bio)! Training will be held weekly on Mondays and Thursdays from 12:05 to 12:50pm at Arbor and Lakes, beginning Thursday, September 5, 2024. All training 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. Training will take place outdoors.

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 will be held on Fridays from 12 to 12:30pm beginning September 6, 2024 and will continue throughout the fall semester. Employees interested in attending are asked to please register in order to receive the zoom link for the class.

Health Promotion Classes

Kaiser Permanente will be hosting two virtual health promotion classes specifically for Sonoma State University during Campus Safety Week (9/16-9/20). These classes are open to all employees and will be recorded and available for 90 days after the live stream. 

Raffle Drawing: Register for both classes by September 17, 2024 and you will be entered to win a prize!

Back Care
Learn proper posture and practice exercises that help protect your back.
  • Date: September 17, 2024
  • Time: 10 - 11am
  • Register
Fit at Work
Learn skills to increase engagement and energy in your personal and professional life.
  • Date: September 17, 2024
  • Time: 2 - 3pm
  • Register

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.

A Balancing Act

Actively work to maintain or improve your balance and strength with regular exercise.

  • Date: September 18, 2024
  • Time: Noon - 1pm
  • Register
Navigating Illnesses: COVID, Flu, and RSV
Learn about the current state of COVID, flu, and RSV infections in Northern California and new vaccine recommendations for each infection.
  • Date: September 26, 2024
  • Time: 12:30 - 1:30pm

Calm Meditation Sessions

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

September 11, 2024 (10 - 10:15am)
Join here at the time of event
 
September 25, 2024 (2 - 2:15pm)
Join here at the time of event

Vitalant Blood Drives

In partnership with SSU Student Involvement and Student Clubs, Vitalant will be hosting on-campus blood drives this fall. These events will be held in the Denali Gym in the Campus Recreation Center from 10am to 1:45pm on the following dates:

  • September 18, 2024
  • October 22, 2024
  • November 20, 2024

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

Local Opportunities to Get Moving 

Get ready to lace up your sneakers as the SSU Employee Wellness Program has secured an exclusive discount code for a local running event 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.

Clo Cow Half Marathon
September 22, 2024
5k, 10k, half marathon
https://www.clocowhalf.com/
15% discount for any distance
 
Please email employeewellness@sonoma.edu for the discount codes. 

Employee Assistance Program - LifeMatters by Empathia

The employee assistance program (EAP) is designed to provide professional assistance to faculty, staff and their families in assessing and resolving personal matters. Please review the LifeMatters brochure or LifeMatters guide for additional information regarding the wide array of resources available from Empathia. Other 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)
  • Digital Cognitive Behavioral Health - a self-guided program with techniques and tips to address anxiety, depression and stress.
  • Discount Center - members can register to access discounts for travel, entertainment, consumer goods and services.
  • Up to six free counseling sessions
  • 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!

Employees can also download The LifeMatters® App for convenient access to materials.

Empathia Webinar

Rebuilding After a Financial Crisis
Explore ways to dig out and return to a more stable financial footing.
Available on Demand

LifeMatters Newsletter

Access the LifeMatters Newsletter for this month's promotional content.

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.