Aug/ 2016 KEEP YOUR JOURNEYS...
Transcript of Aug/ 2016 KEEP YOUR JOURNEYS...
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SUMMER INCENTIVE CAMPAIGN
NEWSLETTER OF THE
CITY OF TACOMA
KEEP YOUR JOURNEYS GOING!
Aug/
Sept.
2016
Confused About Journeys? Visit the Wellness Microsite and read the
comprehensive RedBrick/Journey FAQs or contact your Wellness Coordinator,
Shannon Carmody.
02 HEART WALK: Join/start
a team and vote for your
favorite t-shirt design.
03 Employee Spotlight:
Meet a Wellness Champion:
Shantel Sheppard
04 UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wellness Program
Computer Lab Assist Days
ANNUAL HEALTH COMPASS IS OPENOPENOPEN Time is of the essence if you want to save at least $240 in 2017
Go to tew.redbrickhealth.com to take your Compass TODAY!
Even if you already completed a Health Compass in 2016, you are required to take the Annual Health Compass to earn or continue receiving the Wellness Incentive/Credit in 2017.
Remember, to qualify for the 2017 Wellness Incentive/Credit, these tasks
must be completed by Sept. 30, 2016:
1. Complete two Wellness Journeys by Sept. 30, 2016.
2. Complete the Annual Health Compass (15-30 minutes online health assessment) between Aug. 1 – Sept. 30, 2016.
Here are ways to confirm that you’ve successfully completed your Annual
Health Compass:
You will see your health score and the date that it was completed at the end of the Health Compass. Please print that for your records.
You will see 500 points added to your rewards bar on the bottom of the homepage, or you can find confirmation when visiting your Rewards Page.
Congrats: There have been EIGHT winners
for a $75 Gift Card!
1. Karen Stearns, Tacoma Public Library
2. Imelda Marquez, Finance
3. Rickey Labouve, Tacoma Public Utilities
4. Margie Villanueva,
Tacoma Public Utilities
5. Ben Thurgood,
Office of Management and Budget
6. Angelica Garcia, Tacoma Public Utilities
7. Kim Bedier, Public Assembly Facilities
8. John Andersen, Tacoma Public Utilities
Drawing Dates Remaining:
Aug. 31 and Sept. 14
Disclaimer: This reward is taxable income.
Winners will need to complete the
“Employee Gifts Recorded as Taxable
Earnings” form and return it to Payroll. A
congratulatory email with instructions will be
provided to each winner.
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2016 South Sound
Heart and Stroke Walk
There is no better way to demonstrate our
commitment to health than to lead by example
and participate in this year’s South Sound Heart
and Stroke Walk on Oct. 8, 2016!
The American Heart Association’s annual
South Sound Heart and Stroke Walk is the
celebration of a season of making positive
lifestyle changes. Featuring a healthy-living
festival and a non-competitive 5K walk,
participants are invited to visit booths that
encourage healthy living and walk the 3-mile
route along Cheney Stadium.
City of Tacoma Goal
The City aims to have a great showing with at
least 150 walkers and achieve our
fundraising goal of $15,000 for the fight against
heart disease and stroke. Participating is fun
and easy, and you can invite friends and family
to join you!
How to Participate
You too can be part of the effort to save and
improve lives. Please visit the City of Tacoma
Heart and Stroke Walk Page to register for or
start your own City of Tacoma team
(registration is free):
Team Captains:
City Attorney’s Office: Cheryl Comer;
PW Director’s Office: Linnea Meredith;
Finance—Account us in!: Carly Erkers;
HR Huff and Puff: Angie Hardy & Marti Spike;
Police: Loretta Cool;
Power Generation: Jenni Allen;
Power Management: Megan Hearn
Tacoma Water: Jana Nelson
TEAM IT: Kathy Lapp
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City of Tacoma 2016 Heart Walk Shirt Designs Created By: City of Tacoma Media and Communications Office
Citywide Vote is Coming SOON!
A brief survey will be emailed from the Tacoma Employee Wellness
Program to all City of Tacoma employees on Aug. 24.
All City employees are welcome to vote!
Based on the majority vote, Wellness Coordinator Shannon Carmody will
reach out to all team captains to gather the sizes and quantities for all
employees and their family members who have registered for the
2016 Heart Walk.
We are missing SEVERAL
departments this year.
So, please create your team today!
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My name is Shantel Shepard and I am the administrative assistant for Tacoma Water Distribution Operations. I have been with Tacoma Water for more than five years. Living a healthy lifestyle has always been a good thought, but in these past couple years became an actual goal. After being inspired by friends to take up running (because who doesn’t love free shirts and shiny medals), attempting to do a race once a month became another goal. It was pretty intimidating at first, but then a friend told me, “All that matters is that you finish. It doesn’t matter how fast you’re going because you’ll always be going faster than the person sitting on the couch.” I’ve also fallen in love with hiking and exploring our amazing Pacific North-west. With my family living in Maui, I’m often asked why I wouldn’t want to live in such a beautiful place but I don’t think people realize how beautiful it is right here where we are. Of course, living a healthy lifestyle is not always the easiest route (especially when cupcakes and mac and cheese are your favorite foods) but learning to do everything in moderation, I’m beginning to see, is the key. I wanted to be a part of the Wellness Champions to help inspire and encourage those who may be dealing with the same struggles. The ultimate goal is to live a happy and healthy life with the ones that we love. The struggle is real, but the reward is worth it.
Meet Shantel Shepard
Wellness Champion, Administrative Assistant,
Tacoma Water
Do you know your fitness type? The variety of ways to workout is almost as diverse as our different personalities! Learn your fitness type and find which workout options might work better for you than others.
KNOW YOUR FITNESS PERSONALITY TYPE
Getting your daily 30 minutes of moderate
activity can be more enjoyable when you
connect your interests and your personality
to fitness. Consider these personality types
and activities.
Goal-oriented. Try signing up for a fitness
event like a bike ride, triathlon, 5K or
community fun run. The training provides
motivation, while the event itself provides a
final objective.
Nature lover. Hiking, kayaking, trail running,
or geocaching—and outdoor treasure
hunting activity (like Pokémon Go!)—could
be good choices for those who like to be
outside.
Competitive. Most communities offer
recreational team sports like soccer, softball,
and dodgeball leagues on weeknights.
Introvert. Swimming laps or running in less-
crowded areas, or using an exercise or yoga
DVD in your home might be the best options
if you prefer to be by yourself.
Social butterfly. Want to get to know people
and have fun? Check out dance classes like
Zumba or a group walking program through
your local parks or the community center.
Find Your Perfect
Workout
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Boosting Your
Resilience at Work
By Patrick Rice, MA, LMHC
Tips for Maintaining Personal Balance
You’re not alone in feeling a little more stressed
at work lately. The American Psychological
Association’s 2015 “Stress in America” report
indicates that 67 percent of respondents listed their
work as a significant source of stress. The World
Health Organization has even gone so far as to call
workplace stress the “global health epidemic of the
21st century". It’s becoming more and more
necessary to practice resilience at work, so that we
don’t bring work stress back home after business
hours. Research suggests that resilience in the
workplace begins with the basics of attitude, behavior
and social support – three areas that almost anyone
can build on. To get started boosting your own
resilience, below are a few practices you can begin
implementing.
Practice mindfulness by setting a positive
intention. Mindfulness is a state of mind achieved by
focusing one’s awareness on the present moment.
Before you start your work day, think ahead and ask
yourself: (1) How will I approach my work positively
today? (2) How will I interact with others? (3) How will
I handle any challenges that may arise? After your
work day ends, take a moment to mentally picture all
of your work responsibilities boxed on a shelf in the
office. Intend to arrive home free of obligations or
work stress.
Take detachment breaks. Our brains function on
circadian (daily) rhythms and pushing them beyond
the confines of these rhythms will generally hurt,
rather than help, our productivity. Take a regular
break to “reset” your brain for better mental focus and
clarity. Be sure to leave your work at the desk when
you take a break! Detaching from your stress for
even a short period will help you better focus on the
difficult things when you return.
Summer BBQs
If you’re participating in cookouts, picnics, or potlucks this
weekend, be sure to check out this week’s wellness tip for ways
to avoid foodborne illness.
Keep Foodborne Bacteria At Bay
Foodborne bacteria can stem from many sources before it
reaches your plate, but there are effective ways to combat
these germs. Follow these measures to keep food safe:
Don’t make assumptions. Organic doesn't mean bacteria-free
and locally raised products aren’t necessarily cleaner. Check
expiration dates and scrub produce thoroughly, including the
rinds of melons because your knife will come into contact with it
when you cut into the fruit.
Avoid cross-contamination. Keep meat and produce separate
during preparation. Cut produce first and then sanitize surfaces
and knives before preparing meat. In the fridge, store meat
below produce, or place it in a bowl so juices don’t leak onto
vegetables.
Cook properly. Use a thermometer to ensure that meat,
poultry and seafood are fully cooked. Proper cooking
temperatures can be found at foodsafety.gov.
Upcoming Computer Lab Assistance Days Aug. 23 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.): TMB Computer Training Rm Aug. 29 (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.): TPU Computer Training Rm Sept. 6 (1:00 to 8 p.m.): TPD Headquarters Sept. 14 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.): TMB Computer Training Rm Sept. 21 (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.): TPU Computer Training Rm Sept. 23 (1 to 8 p.m.): TPD Headquarters
Important Reminder: There are several other (all day) assistance days occurring on a monthly basis (including the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at TPU). Contact Shannon at [email protected] for questions or appointments.