May 7, 2020
Together Remotely – Self-care Activities
Now more than ever, it is important that we stay connected to one another. The Student Life Staff Development Committee has launched Together Remotely, a series of posts to help staff across the Division of Student Life keep up with each other and share their experiences, successes, and stories during these extraordinary times. We hope that these posts can in some way brighten your day, give you a great idea, or just help you to feel a little more connected.
Content is staff-generated, informal, and open-ended… and we need more! To submit your own content, please visit the content submission form and respond to any of the areas that interest you, or email Nathan Miglich.
Student Life Staff Self-care Activities
THE PROMPT: What have you been doing to take care of yourself and unwind?
Ashlee Norris
Operations and Accounts Manager, Housing & Food Services – Student Services
Reading, coloring, watching movies, crafting, FaceTime with family.
Danny Arguetty
Mindfulness Manager, UW Recreation
- Bath with Epsom salts (2cups) and essential oils
- Foot massage with coconut oil
- Coloring (mandala) intricate patterns
- Watching stand up (laughter boosts immunity)
- Small movement breaks throughout the day (if you want guidance go here)
- Gratitude journal
- Mailing cards to friends
Deanne Liu
Conduct Officer, Community Standards & Student Conduct
Goal for May: the 5 Minute Journal.
I used this journal when I was a Resident Director and it was crucial to gathering and remembering joy. I remember my heart swelling one evening, and I think it made all the difference in my work life balance. I’m excited to try it again during this time when work and home life are again mixed up.
Glenna Chang
Associate Vice President, Student Life
Heather Robertson’s channel on YouTube for exercise videos that will kick butt. Plus, she doesn’t talk.
Jannah Maresh
Director, Parent & Family Programs
See my Quarantine Kitchen answers: I do intermittent fasting and working out — I can do five normal pushups before my knees reach the floor, my planks are better, and ride by non-Peloton bike — no judgment just LOVE our quiet indoor Schwinn. I am trying to get through my book list — currently, I am reading Machines Like Us by Ian McEwan.
Meghan Matthews
Access Coordinator, Disability Resources for Students
Lots of walks, sitting in the sun, cooking, Netflix, virtual game nights with friends and family, reading, and sleeping in! Learning how to use my Vitamix to make more smoothies!!
Natasha Hawkins
Program Coordinator – Operations, Housing & Food Services – Residential Life
I have never had the patience to learn how to sew, however it has always been on my bucket list. The surplus of isolation hours has provided me with the patience and time to start some very easy sewing projects, and it has been very rewarding.
Tera Figueroa
Administrative Specialist, Shared Services
Online Yoga and Strength Training + Netflix.
Victoria Adams
Victim Advocate, UW Police Department
I’ve been trying to be physically active throughout the day — even knowing the extensive literature connecting physical activity to improved mental health as well as my own benefits from it, I had been extra lazy with everything going on. I found getting on a schedule helped: around noon I do boxing circuit training and after work follow along to yoga videos (after being a lifelong skeptic). Another really great way to build in physical activity is to participate in Seattle’s Dance Church remotely.
Thanks for reading! Remember, to submit your own content, please visit the content submission form and respond to any of the areas that interest you, or email Nathan Miglich.