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

NEW! Kaiser On-Site Health Promotion Classes

Kaiser Permanente will be hosting two on-site health promotion classes this fall. These classes will be held in Salazar Hall 2023 and are open to all employees regardless of your health plan election.

Managing Stress
Uncontrolled stress can impact health and job performance. Identify sources of stress, its effects on the mind and body, and how constantly activating the "fight or flight" response can lead to burnout and health problems. Participants will learn strategies to build resiliance.
  • October 24, 2024
  • Noon - 1pm - Salazar Hall 2023
  • Register
The Power of Gratitude
Learn and practice how you can increase life satisfaction with gratitude.
  • November 14, 2024
  • Noon - 1pm - Salazar Hall 2023
  • Register

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 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 to 12:30pm and 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 hosted two virtual health promotion classes specifically for Sonoma State University during Campus Safety Week (9/16-9/20). To view them now, select the applicable link and keep the email address as indicated.

Back Care
Learn proper posture and practice exercises that help protect your back. This webcast had some technical difficulties, to skip to the relevant information, go to the 4-minute mark.
Fit at Work
Learn skills to increase engagement and energy in your personal and professional life.

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.

Practicing Kindness

In working to achieve our purposeful goals, we gain confidence, motivation, and energy.

  • Date: October 16, 2024
  • Time: Noon - 1pm
  • Register
Anxiety in Children and Teens
Learn how to recognize anxiety in children and teens, how stressors can impact anxiety levels, how parents and caregivers can support through awareness and communication, and learn coping tools to help your child or teen manage anxiety.
  • Date: October 24, 2024
  • Time: 12:30 - 1:30pm

Calm Meditation Sessions

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

October 9, 2024 (10 - 10:15am)
Join here at the time of event
 
October 23, 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:

  • October 22, 2024
  • November 20, 2024

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

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

Breaking Out of a Rut
Learn strategies that will help you break out of old patterns and inspire creativity
Available on Demand

LifeMatters Newsletter

Preparing for Flu Season

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.