Welcome to the
CHAMPS Wellbeing Bulletin
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Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Wellbeing Bulletin, a new communication distributed by Community Health Association of Mountain/Plains States (CHAMPS). This resource is designed to share uplifting and informative articles to support wellbeing, including those related to resiliency, wellness, mindfulness, etc., as well as to highlight information on related current and upcoming events, resources, trends, tips, best and promising practices, and funding opportunities.
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Introduction to Wellbeing
Wellbeing and wellness go hand-in-hand. As defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), wellbeing is a state of being comfortable, happy, or healthy, and wellness is the state of being in good health. We often think of the two from the perspective of physical health; however, it is much more. Wellness is a holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fueling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit. For the purpose of this CHAMPS Wellbeing Bulletin, the terms wellbeing and wellness will be used based on the source of information, knowing that the two terms are often used interchangeably and in support of one another.
Benefits of Wellbeing
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "wellbeing is associated with numerous health-, job-, family-, and economically-related benefits." Examples of benefits on an individual include:
- decreased risk of disease, illness, and injury
- better immune function
- speedier recovery
- increased longevity
- greater productivity at work
- more likely to contribute to their communities
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) "envisions wellness not as the absence of disease, illness, and stress, but as the presence of a positive purpose in life, satisfying work and play, joyful relationships, a healthy body and living environment, and happiness."
The Eight Dimensions of Wellness
SAMHSA identifies the Eight Dimensions of Wellness as part of its Wellness Initiative, and defines the basic needs related to each aspect. The dimensions influence one another and affect a person's overall health and quality of life (see graphic below). The dimensions are:
- Emotional: Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships
- Environmental: Enjoying good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being
- Financial: Satisfaction with current and future financial situations
- Intellectual: Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills
- Occupational: Personal satisfaction and enrichment from one's work
- Physical: Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep
- Social: Developing a sense of connection and belonging; and having a good support system
- Spiritual: Expanding one's sense of purpose and meaning in life
SAMHSA's Creating a Healthier Life, A Step-By-Step Guide to Wellness is a great resource for independently working through each of these aspects of wellness.
Upcoming issues of the CHAMPS Wellbeing Bulletin will include a section featuring one of these wellness dimensions, providing quickly accessible resources and tips for achieving wellness in that category.
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Each Wellbeing Bulletin will also include four areas of Featured Topics highlighting wellbeing resources and tips. The Patient Corner will include items for providers to aid in patient relations and patient wellbeing. The Self-Care Spotlight will host a variety of resources (e.g., podcasts, videos, etc.) relating to taking care of oneself. The Support for Staff category is targeted at the organizational level to provide information that can benefit all departments and employees. And finally, the Uplifting Stories section is designed to share good news from around Region VIII and the world.
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- Welkin Health published an informative article discussing 13 Ways to Improve Patient Care. Tips included are showing respect, expressing gratitude, enabling access to care, and more.
- CHAMPS maintains a variety of resources relating to patient education. The CHAMPS Wellness Pages webpage provides informative documents for various age groups that help patients prepare for what may be discussed at a wellness visit.
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- This popular wellness podcast provides conversations with a variety of experts to address topics from basic health to "empowered personal wellness." Check out Well Now.
- Changing How We Think About Wellness is a TEDx Talk featuring Monica Mo, Founder and CEO of WellSeek, an organization focused on reimagining women's wellbeing through workplace wellness and social impact programs.
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Beginning in May 2022, CHAMPS will host the Resiliency Collaborative for Region VIII health center staff. Sessions will be held the first Friday morning of each month, May to September 2022. Each session will share information and techniques relating to mindfulness, meditation, journaling, and more. Registration is coming soon. For more information, please visit the CHAMPS Events and Trainings webpage.
In addition to the Resiliency Collaborative, CHAMPS maintains a variety of tools, articles, and educational materials relating to resiliency. Please visit the CHAMPS Resiliency Resources webpage to learn more.
CHAMPS has partnered with the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center (RMPHTC) to develop the Working on Wellness (WoW) On-Demand Learning Modules to promote resiliency and wellness in Region VIII Health Centers. These pre-recorded presentations offer the chance for health center and Primary Care Association personnel to engage in educational content on their schedules. The modules include:
Visit the CHAMPS Working on Wellness (WoW) On-Demand Learning Modules webpage to learn more, watch the videos, and to explore additional resources. Future editions of this Wellbeing Bulletin will highlight individual WoW learning modules.
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The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) STAR2 Center recently announced a Resource Repository that includes free materials to support self-care, from individual to organizational levels. Below are a few items from the Repository, but there is much more!
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a variety of wellness toolkits that can impact overall health. Check out the NIH Your Healthiest Self: Wellness Toolkits to "find ways to improve your well-being in any area you’d like."
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Connect with CHAMPS! Please contact the Programs Coordinator, Health Center Workforce if you have any questions or related resources that could be shared in future editions of the Wellbeing Bulletin.
Please direct other interested individuals to the CHAMPS Wellbeing Bulletin webpage for a subscription form and to view an archive of previous editions.
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