Sonoma State University

Employee Wellness

Mission Statement

Sonoma State University promotes a culture of wellness among 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!
  • 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 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 class with Yavé Guzman Valdez (bio)! Training is held weekly. As we transition from summer to fall, please note the following schedule changes:

  • From 8/1/25 through 8/15/25, training will be held on Mondays in Ives 76 and Thursdays at the SSU Track from 12:05 to 12:50pm.
  • Beginning 8/18/25, training will move to Tuesdays and Thursdays at the SSU Track from 12:05 to 12:50pm.

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.

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.

  • Hormone Health
    How we spend our day can greatly affect how well our hormones function. Learn the roles of various hormones as well as practical methods to optimize their regulation for a balanced body.
    • Date: August 20, 2025
    • Time: Noon - 1pm
    • Register
     
  • Grocery Savvy
    Planning is key to successful grocery shopping. Learn ways to shop smarter to meet your health needs and learn to read food labels to make healthy choices. Create a realistic action plan that will help you take positive steps towards taking control of your health.
    • Date: August 25, 2025
    • Time: Noon - 1pm
    • Register
     
  • Chronic Pain Management
    Learn about the neuroscience of pain, the overprotective alarm, healing through a mind-body approach, and working with Kaiser Permanente’s Pain Management Rehabilitation Program.
    • Date: August 28, 2025
    • Time: 12:30 - 1:30pm
    • Register
     

Calm Meditation Sessions

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

  • August 13, 2025 (10 - 10:15am)
    Join here at the time of event
     
  • August 27, 2025 (2 - 2:15pm)
    Join here at the time of event

Local Opportunities to Get Moving

Get ready to lace up your sneakers as the SSU Employee Wellness Program has once again 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. 

Please email [email protected] for the discount codes.

Vitalant Blood Drives

Please check back soon!

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
  • Access to MyLifeMatters (please reach out to Payroll and Benefits at [email protected] or (707) 664-2793 to obtain Empathia's phone number or 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

Financial Basics: Aligning Lifestyle and Income for Future Security
Learn how budgeting and tracking spending can help you to align your expenses with your short and long-term financial goals.
Available on Demand
 

LifeMatters Newsletter

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 [email protected].