We at Health Promotion for Faculty and Staff (HPFS) and Counseling for Faculty and Staff (CFS) understand that people may feel:
- Anxious
- Excited
- Concerned
- Worried
- Relieved - any many other feelings
We welcome you back and look forward to working with and supporting you as you move toward your career and personal goals.
Health Promotion for Faculty and Staff
Movement can help ease anxiety, help you transition back to working in your office, and build your workplace community. We here at HPFS have open gym times and group exercise classes starting in the Fall. All faculty and staff are welcome to participate. Please follow these links to learn more.
- Link to services - HPFS Website
- Exercise as Medicine
- Move your body to relieve tension, stress, and anxiety
- The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise
- Walk for Wellness and Community - New Joint Programming
- Stretch Routine - Stretch at Your Desk?
Counseling for Faculty and Staff
Counseling for Faculty and Staff (CFS) provides free, confidential counseling services to university employees and immediate family members. Please visit the CFS Website or call 262-4951 for more information.
- Counseling for Faculty and Staff is also available to provide workshops or trainings for campus offices or departments related to mental health, well-being, communication, and other topics.
- Tips for Transitioning Back to the Workplace
Returning to the workplace can bring excitement and anxiety. Grant yourself some time to fully adjust to this change, knowing that it might take a few days or more to fully acclimate to this adjustment.
- The Stony Brook University Ombuds Office has compiled helpful tips for faculty and staff transitioning back to campus.
- Appalachian State University - Preparation tips for faculty returning to campus
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise
Anxiety is something most of us have experienced at different times and situations in our lives. Public speaking, performance reviews and new job responsibilities are just some of the work-related situations that can cause even the calmest person to feel a little stressed. Returning to the office after a long absence may also generate feelings of anxiety. This five-step exercise can be very helpful during periods of anxiety or panic by helping to ground you in the present when your mind is bouncing around between various anxious thoughts.
Before starting this exercise, pay attention to your breathing. Slow, deep, long breaths can help you maintain a sense of calm or help you return to a calmer state. Once you find your breath, go through the following steps to help ground yourself:
5: Notice FIVE things you see around you. It could be a pen, a spot on the ceiling, anything in your surroundings.
4: Notice FOUR things you can feel. It could be your hair on your neck, the feeling of your feet in your shoes, cool or warm air on your skin.
3: Notice THREE things you can hear. This could be birds chirping outside, the hum of electronic equipment, or the sound of a fan.
2: Notice TWO things you can smell. Maybe you are in your office and smell pencil.
1: Notice ONE thing you can taste. What does the inside of your mouth taste like? If you can not taste anything, remember a taste that you enjoy
The goal of the exercise is to bring yourself to the present moment.
Upcoming and Ongoing Programming
- Walk for Wellness and Community
- 4 consecutive Wednesdays - 8/18 through 9/8; 12 pm at Sanford Mall sculpture
- Dealing with Anxiety - CFS Workshop
- Dealing with Depression - CFS Workshop
- Breathing and Meditation - Weekly Sessions - Mondays at 3 and Wednesdays at 9