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Wellness Newsletter
December 2025
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NEW Series! Empowerment Through Knowledge:
Women's Health and Menopause
Navigating midlife brings unique health needs and menopause is a significant transition that calls for expert care and informed support. This new comprehensive series is dedicated to empowering female faculty and staff with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive during this pivotal stage of life. Learn how menopause affects not only physical health but also emotional and mental well-being. Join us as Cleveland Clinic healthcare professionals share their expertise on a broad spectrum of topics during 13 sessions this spring semester (January - April).
Please note that the days and times of presentations will vary throughout the series. In general, sessions will occur on Mondays and Wednesdays, usually between 12-1 pm, via Zoom. The sessions will be recorded for any sessions that registrants cannot attend live. You can view the list of dates and topics on our General Wellness page.
Those who qualify for the Monthly Wellness Incentive in 2026 can earn a $100 Program Incentive in the General Wellness category next year for active participation in this series.
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Forever Fit
Popular nutrition instructor, Lindsay Malone, MS, RD, CSO, LD, is back with the 8-week Forever Fit series, which focuses on weight loss and weight maintenance through a holistic lifestyle. Along with nutrition support, Lindsay will offer guidance for goal setting, physical activity, and other key elements of weight loss. Lindsay's experience as a CWRU faculty member in the Nutrition department and a functional nutrition coach make her the expert you need on your journey to lasting weight loss.
Those who qualify for the Monthly Wellness Incentive in 2026 can earn a $100 Program Incentive in the Nutrition/Weight Management category next year for active participation. Sessions will be recorded.
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Thursdays, Jan. 22 - March 12
12:30-1:30 pm via Zoom
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Tuesdays, Jan. 20 - March 10 (no session on Feb. 24)
12-1 pm via Zoom
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Mindful Eating: Transform Your Relationship with Food
Are you tired of mindlessly overeating or feeling out of control around food? Do you find yourself eating when you’re not truly hungry or turning to snacks for comfort? Join Dr. Susan Albers, Cleveland Clinic psychologist and New York Times Bestselling author of numerous books on mindful eating, for a 7-week series designed to help you transform your relationship with food. Whether you want to stop emotional eating, enjoy your meals more, or simply feel better about your food choices, this series is for you!
Those who qualify for the Monthly Wellness Incentive in 2026 can earn a $100 Program Incentive in the Nutrition/Weight Management category next year for active participation in this series. Sessions will be recorded.
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Fostering the Mindset and Skills for High Impact Teamwork
Are you interested in enhancing your team's interpersonal relationships and productivity? Dr. Tyler Reimschisel, of Holistic Teaming, LLC, will conduct a series of 8 sessions aimed at improving your teamwork knowledge, skills, and mindset. Topics that will be addressed include valuing the perspectives of different team members, fostering psychological safety, enhancing your emotional intelligence, demonstrating emotional regulation, conducting more productive team meetings, improving your listening capabilities, giving and receiving feedback, and managing conflict productively.
Those who qualify for the Monthly Wellness Incentive in 2026 can earn a $100 Program Incentive in the Career Well-being category next year for active participation in this series.
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Tuesdays, Jan. 13 -
March 3
12-1 pm via Zoom
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Lactation Rooms Survey
The university is interested in learning more about faculty and staff perspectives on the lactation rooms located throughout CWRU's campus. Please take a few minutes to respond to the survey if you have used any of the rooms in the past or if you returned to work following a childbirth, but did not use the rooms for any reason.
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Building Connection & Communication
Wouldn't it be great to be able to better manage stress in your relationships at work and at home? Learn new and transformative ways to improve response versus reaction, diplomacy and respect, verbal and non-verbal communication, and more. Join Heidi Weiker for 8 sessions to learn to use these tools for better success in your relationships.
Those who qualify for the Monthly Wellness Incentive in 2026 can earn a $100 Program Incentive in the Stress Management category next year for active participation. Sessions are recorded.
Thursdays, Jan. 15 - March 5, 12-1 pm via Zoom
| | | | | Physical Activity Programs on Zoom | | |
Workstation Workout
For those who find it challenging to add strength training to a busy schedule, Workstation Workout is the solution. Over 12 weeks, Mary Ann Dobbins will provide exercises you can do almost anywhere. Using your body weight and a complimentary resistance band, you will learn workouts you can perform right at your own desk.
Thursdays, Jan. 15 - April 2,
12-12:45 pm via Zoom
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Core and More
This series combines core strengthening with whole body stretching. Other than a workout mat or large towel, no equipment is necessary to participate. Over 12 weeks, instructor Mary Ann Dobbins will lead you through core exercises that will become a bit more challenging each week, as well as engage participants in deep stretches.
Tuesdays, Jan. 20- April 7,
12:30-1:15 pm via Zoom
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In-Person Physical Activity Programs
More in-person physical activity programs will likely be added to the schedule for spring. Make sure to read the January Wellness newsletter for information about additional opportunities!
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Pilates Mat
Pilates Mat is a low impact class that focuses on muscle tone, balance, posture, body alignment, and mind-body awareness. Bring an exercise mat if you have one to One to One Fitness for this 12-week class with instructor LaShundra "Shun" Epps.
Wednesdays, Jan. 14 - April 1,
12-12:45 pm
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Yoga
This 12-week Yoga class, instructed by Julie Brown, will provide an opportunity to build strength while achieving the mental health benefits associated with regular yoga practice. Sessions will take place at One to One Fitness, where you can borrow a mat if needed.
Thursdays, Jan. 15 - April 2,
12-12:45 pm
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Treat Yourself to a Chair Massage
A chair massage can help relax and loosen sore muscles, as well as reduce stress, tension, and anxiety. Experience these benefits and more by treating yourself to a chair massage this month.
Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 9 am - 12 pm
Crawford Hall, Room A11 (on the ground floor)
The chair massages, provided by One to One Fitness, last for 13 minutes and cost $15. Registration and pre-payment are required. You can reserve your slot and pay via the link to the right. Enjoy!
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Join us for Remaining Weekly Well-being Breaks
We still have a few Weekly Well-being Breaks left this semester, and we are excited to announce that these sessions will continue in spring semester! Part of the university's Expressions of Care initiative, these 30-minute Zoom sessions provide the opportunity to focus on well-being through self-care activities such as relaxation, mindfulness, and movement — helping maintain well-being during chaotic and stressful times. Register for the Tuesday and/or Wednesday sessions and participate in whichever you can attend.
Tranquil Tuesday
9-9:30 am via Zoom on 12/9
Register for the Tuesday sessions
Wellness Wednesday
3-3:30 pm via Zoom on 12/3 and 12/17
Register for the Wednesday sessions
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Remaining Plant-Based Meals Sessions
New York Times bestselling co-authors Jane and Ann Esselstyn of the Esselstyn Foundation, a non-profit committed to healing the world of lifestyle related disease through the promotion of whole food, plant-based nutrition, are offering 3 sessions this fall. They already presented a session focused on plant-based breakfast options (watch the recording here!). Join us for the remaining 2 sessions. Click on the titles below to learn more and register for each session..
We Cannot Wait for Lunch | Tuesday, Dec. 9, 12:30-1:30 pm
Jane and Ann will focus on one of the most rushed and overlooked meals of the day - lunch. This cooking demo will highlight healthy, delicious, plant-based options for a mid-day reboot!
What to Bring to a Holiday Party? | Tuesday, Dec. 16, 12:30-1:30 pm
During their final session, Jane and Ann will feature plant-based foods to bring to a holiday party or make when hosting a party, including healthy and delicious appetizers, side dishes, and desserts to feast on with family and friends over the holidays.
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Plant Powered Challenge 2026
Hosted by Corewell Health Lifestyle Medicine, the Plant Powered Challenge is a free, 30-day health initiative running from January 5 to February 4, 2026. Now in its eighth year, the challenge helps participants boost energy, sleep better, and improve their diet through the power of plants. All educational events are hosted on Zoom and recorded for on-demand viewing. Participants receive weekly recipes and nutrition challenges.
This is a highly supportive and welcoming community. In past years, up to 3,500 participants have joined from across the United States and around the world. Anyone can join this free challenge, including your friends, family, and anyone who might be interested in taking steps toward better health. Participation includes weekly challenges, educational webinars, delicious recipes, and more.
Register by January 2 and make sure to sign up with a case.edu email address. Participation is eligible for a Nutrition/Weight Management Wellness Program Incentive.
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Are You at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? Receive Support!
The CWRU Department of Nutrition is offering the Prevent Type 2 lifestyle change program. A trained lifestyle coach and fellow participants will encourage you to make healthy changes that will last a lifetime. Program topics include food choices, physical activity, dealing with stress, and coping with challenges. Participants will receive a digital scale at the start of the program and other incentives throughout the year. A virtual information session where you can learn more about the program will be held on Thursday, January 8, at 12 pm. To register, fill out this google form.
The program will begin its virtual weekly sessions on Thursday, January 15, from 12-1 pm, and will run throughout the year thereafter at that same time on Thursdays. With questions, please contact Helen Dumski at hxd24@case.edu.
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Share Your Opinion: Potential 2026 Wellness Series
The “How to Thrive: An Introduction to Strengths and Psychological Safety” 60-minute session facilitated by Connection Labs this past October 15th introduced key ideas around strengths and psychological safety. Research indicates that strong connections are critical for individual and team success and overall health and well-being. Last January, Connection Labs ran an 8-session series entitled "Connection 101", which explored these and related topics in much greater depth.
Here is how participants described their experience:
- “This has been one of the most positive experiences I've had in a workshop.”
- “The workshop has given me new tools and perspectives for exploring and improving my relationships, both personal and professional.”
- “Just. . . wow! I've learned some variations of some of the content of this training in other books, training, etc. but putting all these together is just mind boggling in such a good way!”
We’re considering offering the series again for the CWRU community in 2026 and need your input! Please take about 1 minute to complete this interest survey. Thank you!
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CWRU Wellness Team
Elizabeth Click, Medical Director - erc10@case.edu | 216-368-5790
Deanna Duffy, Wellness Manager - dxd516@case.edu | 216-368-5997
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