海角大神

For Day 1 of our 19 days to wellness & well-being, we focus on Building Your Community. 

We have many facets to our life, work, relationships and health. There will be times when a community can provide tremendous benefits, social change, and learning opportunities.  

Community is no longer proximity-based; not limited to neighbors, race, ability, religion, or even being in-person. Finding your perfect community can be as easy as 1, 2, 3.  Here’s how:  

First, identify a category of interest, based on the six pillars of wellness & well-being; second, determine a subcategory of interest; third, know how you want to contribute.  Example:  

• You want to improve your social connection, specifically with parents of children the same age as yours, and you are able to contribute to group functions; or  
• You want to improve financial well-being, specifically with those actively looking to retire early and you can contribute through coaching and motivation to others.    

Using the category, subcategory, and engagement method, jot down a few areas of interest or communities you could benefit from joining, then seek them out, join and participate!  

Wellness & Well-Being categories  

• Physical Wellness  
• Emotional Well-Being  
• Purpose or Career  
• Social Well-Being  
• Financial Well-Being  
• Community Well-Being  

Now that you have pinpointed your interests, below are a few sites to get you started in your search for a community based on hobby, interest, or trying something new. 

• Community based involvement at Detroit Mercy if you wish to contribute your skills 

Once you have found a new community, it is important to feel valued and connected to the group and its people. This may take time or you may need to pivot to a similar group. Summer in Michigan is the perfect time to connect with a new community, why not start today!

Movement is remarkable. Beyond the physical effort it takes your brain and body to function, movement has the ability to preserve traditions, show expression, and convey emotion.

People all over the world have used dance and physical movement to strengthen and unify their communities while at the same time receiving immense physical and mental benefits.

Being actively aware of the connection to your body can be incredibly profound. Self-expression has no physical limitations, as shown in this incredible .

When learning a new dance style or simply watching, it’s best to understand the culture and style behind the dance to fully engage.  A great example is this page on the .

Now are you ready to learn a few new steps?

If you have mastered those moves, why not take the time this weekend to dance like no one is watching? Motown Museum is offering a on Detroit ballroom on Saturday, June 3, from noon to 4 p.m.

Thoughtful movement can give you a sense of agency, gratitude, and appreciation for your entire body, and in the words of renowned Dancer and Choreographer, Martha Graham:

Dance is the hidden language of the soul, a powerful form of self-expression that transcends words. In every leap, twirl, and gesture, we communicate our deepest emotions, aspirations, and stories to the world.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Day 3 of our 19 days of wellness & well-being celebrates Audiobook Appreciation Month.

Audiobooks have the ability to bring words to life and ignite the imagination. This not only enhances storytelling, but is a necessary part of daily life for many individuals. The  offers assistive technology resources along with audio materials for books and magazines.   

Before you head out for vacation or your daily commute, be sure to check out 海角大神's . The list has something for every mood, whether reading or listening! 

Day 4 of our 19 days of wellness & well-being combines physical wellness with community and social well-being by volunteering to Keep America Beautiful!

Register today to participate in a national event next Sunday, June 11 from 9:00 - 11:00 am to clean up litter at a location near you. If you aren't available June 11, you can still take part by volunteering to be notified of cleanup events in your area.

The  website also offers beautification opportunities such as "Retreet", a campaign aimed at planting trees in dedicated locations, and river and waterway cleanup. The website allows for several areas of volunteering.

Whether you sign-up for an event or simply pick up litter and debris when you see it; those efforts make a measurable difference and set a great example. As the old English proverb states, Many hands make light work.

Day 5 of our 19 days of wellness & well-being focuses on strengthening your Financial Well-Being.

One of the most overlooked areas of increasing your financial well-being is to fully utilize the benefits you receive and the services you are paying for.

Subscriptions and auto-renew make life convenient but that convenience comes at a price (a monthly price). This week, take time to evaluate the benefits and services you are not fully utilizing and are ready to disconnect from. Here's how:

• Visit the Human Resources Benefits Page for tuition remission details, employee discounts, and attend an in-person or virtual open enrollment session to make an informed decision on benefit elections. 
• Use a service like  to find and remove subscriptions you no longer use and forgot to cancel.
• Make it easy to access your money by banking on campus or with an  account. 
• Review any "set it and forget it" elections on your retirement accounts, life insurance and long-term finances.
• Track and categorize your spending through your bank or with a service such as . 
• Investigate the services you are keeping, such as AAA, Amazon Prime, Peloton, Adobe, Costco, Sam's Club and see what free or discounted benefits you have not been using. 

Finally, now that you have a full understanding of what you are paying for, build that financial muscle by evaluating your purchases to see if you truly need it; if so, is there a discount to be used.  

On Day 6 of our 19 days of wellness & well-being, we applaud National Higher Education Day.

Yes, we applaud this day to recognize the benefits of higher education.

In addition to career-boosting benefits, done by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have shown profound benefits to health and well-being for those who have pursued education beyond high school.

Studies show that individuals with post-high school education are at a reduced risk for premature death. Additionally, college graduates have better self-reported health than high school graduates, and individuals with post-high school education are less likely to report conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, and more likely to take part in regular exercise, drink less alcohol, and seek preventive health care when needed.

No matter the age of someone pursuing higher education, the benefits of challenging assumptions, collaborating with others, and building a community of peers are immeasurable.

Thankfully, our brains are not “fixed”. What you may view as difficult and arduous is actually helping you to establish new connections and strengthen neural pathways. This article on by professor of Psychology at Stanford University, Carol Dweck, expands on the importance of a growth mindset individually and within an organization. Whether you are a graduate of higher education or a graduate of hard knocks, embracing growth can be a priceless lesson.

In the words of Anton Chekhov: Wisdom comes not from age, but from education and learning.