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: 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 

Couch to 5K Training!

Please join our new 45-minute Couch to 5K Training class with Yavé Guzman Valdez (bio)! Training is held weekly on Mondays and Thursdays from 12:05 to 12:50pm at Arbor and Lakes. 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 check back in the spring!

Wellness Webinars

We are excited to share this month's wellness webinars offered by Kaiser Permanente. These webinars are open to all employees regardless of your health plan election. Webinars are available on demand for six months after the live stream (with the exception of the live Calm Meditation Sessions which are available only at the time of the event).

Back Care: Your Strong and Healthy Back

Learn proper posture and practice exercises that help protect your back.

  • Date: December 18, 2024
  • Time: Noon - 1pm
  • Register
Making Food Work for You

Practical ideas that you can realistically start to improve your nutritional fitness.

Calm Meditation Sessions

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

December 11, 2024 (10 - 10:15am)
Join here at the time of event

Vitalant Blood Drives

Please check back in the spring!

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

Resolving Conflict at Work
Learn practical strategies for managing conflict at work (that may be useful at home, too).
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 employeewellness@sonoma.edu.