Programs & Events
Overview
Boston College’s Walk Across Campus (WAC) is among the most popular of many Healthy You sponsored activities. Over the last several years, the Walk Across Campus challenge has successfully promoted friendly competition while building solid camaraderie amongst peers throughout BC. The WAC has fostered a “community of walkers”, year-round, and once the challenge begins the campus fills with scores of walkers getting their steps in whenever they can. From one end of campus to the other there are so many enjoyable areas to get in your steps--from the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, to the Pine Tree Reserve, to Chandler Pond, to right through the middle of campus, you will find places to keep you moving!
Fall 2023 Walk Across Campus
We hope you join us for this two month walking challenge.
The 2023 Fall HEALTHY YOU Walk Across Campus (WAC) Challenge will run from Tuesday, October 10th through Sunday, December 10th.
Follow these steps to participate:
Join a Spring WAC team on the Harvard Pilgrim BC Wellness portal.
- If you did not set up a Wellness account on the portal last semester, you will need to do so HERE.
- If you need assistance, contact Harvard Pilgrim's Living Well Services Monday - Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 1-877-594-7183 or email LivingWellSupport LivingWellSupport@point32health.org. You do NOT need to be a Harvard Pilgrim member to set up an account and join a team.
- If you already have a Harvard Pilgrim Wellness account from last semester, you still need to log in to your account and select your team for the Fall Walk.
Once you register for a team, you will need to CONNECT your Fitbit OR any other fitness track you have. Given that most people have their own step tracking device, e.g. phones, watches, wrist bands, etc. we will not be distributing Fitbits this semester.
Lastly, we encourage you to take advantage of the Limeade mobile app if you have not yet. The program code is: C10013
PLEASE NOTE: We welcome all returning participants and are seeking volunteers to be new Team Leaders. Leaders can assemble a new team or lead an existing team; motivate activities during the WAC; and regularly communicate with team members.
**If you are willing to be a NEW TEAM LEADER of 5-20 participants, please email lawlersa@bc.edu with your name and Eagle ID prior to Tuesday, October 3rd, to receive pertinent details.
Thanks again to the sponsors of the Walk Across Campus: BC Athletics, Campus Recreation, Harvard Pilgrim, Auxiliary Services, and Human Resources.
View past challenge results below:
NO CHALLENGE RESULTS FOR Spring 2023
Fall 2023 Events
All programs are in person.
Purposeful Parenting: Quick Wins and Feel-Good Strategies
Thursday, October 5th
Noon - 1:30 PM
Walsh Hall Function Room
Let go of the parenting guilt and dive into practices that will help you become the parent you want to be. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that you have what your children need! Learn simple practices that will build deeper connections and maximize the time you have with your child. Develop a practice of sustainable self-care and create a parenting vision statement that will guide you through the precious years you have with your child. Program Facilitator: Rachel Shanshiry
Living In Balance
Thursday, October 26th
Noon - 1:30 PM
Walsh Hall Conference Room
Is it possible to live a balanced life? How do you balance time for work, time for fun, with time for family and friends? Demands of the workplace and demands of home life have left many people feeling tired and out of sync. Is there a recipe that will help you feel centered and on top of your game? This seminar will discuss ways to right your ship, balancing life’s demands.Program Facilitator: Sue Lunt
Previous Events
Communicating in High Stress Situations: Guiding Principles
Wednesday, February 15th | 12:00 - 1:00pm |Walsh Hall Function Room
Why is it so difficult to find the right words when you are stressed? Do you ever stumble across the “perfect” thing to say once you have calmed down? Stress impairs our ability to think clearly and express ourselves effectively. Learn how to activate the body’s natural “relaxation response” so that you can manage conflict with grace, strength, and compassion. With a balanced mind and body, you will be able to access the communication powerhouses covered in this webinar, including whole body listening, compassion restoration, the magic “hindsight question,” the truth about anger, and keeping the focus on “what matters most.” This refreshing program is applicable and relevant for everyone!
Program Facilitator:
Rachel Shanshiry
Ask for Help
Tuesday, March 14th | 12:00 - 1:00pm | Walsh Hall Conference Room
Why is it so hard to ask for help? So many reasons -- we don’t want to burden others, feels like a sign of weakness, I should know, etc. In this interactive program learn the latest research on the benefits of asking for help, how to address the reasons stopping us from asking for it and strategies to decrease or eliminate stress and anxiety by asking for help and getting it!
Program Facilitator:
Pam Garramone
Spring Cooking Demonstration
Wednesday, April 12th | 12:00 - 1:00pm | Walsh Hall Conference Room
Learn how to make time and cost-effective choices, discuss the health benefits related to ingredients and discover alternative substitutes, all while you watch the preparation of a delicious, healthy recipe. The dietician can answer your questions throughout the demonstration, and at the end, you can try a sample!
Program Facilitator:
Heidi Roth
It's Not What you Eat, It's How Much You Eat
Tuesday, October 6th, 2022 12:00 - 1:00pm, Murray Room Yawkey
Ever wonder why you can't lose weight when you are eating all those healthy foods? Do you know what is considered to be a single serving? We will review how to read food labels as well as take a look at what exactly is considered a serving size. It's probably much smaller than you think.
Program Facilitator:
Leeann Simmons - registered dietician and certified diabetes instructor
Sleep for Health
Thursday, October 20th, 2022 12:00 - 1:00pm, Walsh Conference Room
Sleep is an essential component for maintaining good health. Sleep helps restore both the body and mind. Lack of sleep contributes to higher levels of stress, irritability, lack of concentration, and even weight gain.
This seminar will review the different phases of sleep (REM and non-REM) and describe common sleep problems or forms of insomnia. There can be many causes of sleep disturbance, but the most frequent cause is worry and anxiety. The seminar will outline what you can do to help prevent sleep disturbance and how best to handle the problem once you have gone to bed.The seminar will also address the sleep problems arising from shift work and jet lag.
Program Facilitator:
Rose Marie Knickles, Ed.D. - graduate of BU with a B.S. in Physical Education, an Ed.M. and an Ed.D. in Health and Movement Education.
Overcoming Procrastination
Thursday, November 17th, 2022 12:00 - 1:00pm, Walsh Conference Room
Feeling overwhelmed with unfinished tasks? Learn several simple techniques that allow you to conquer your avoidance behavior, easily organize your life, find more energy and accomplish more than you could ever dream possible. What you resist, persists. Do it now and feel good about yourself.
Program Facilitator:
Aileen Axelmeyer - Aileen helps exhausted professionals manage their stress and land work they love. She has a Master of Science, Applied Educational Psychology; a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Certification; 200-Hour Certified Yoga Instructor and Meditation Teacher.
Aging Well
Heidi Roth
Wednesday, February 16th, 2022 12:00 - 1:00PM, Remote
Learn how to eat healthier, live a longer life and look fabulous! Discover what foods boost your energy levels throughout your workday and your workouts. Instead of buying expensive anti-aging creams and lotions, eat those vitamin-rich foods that will help you age gracefully.
Act As If
Pam Garramone
Thursday, March 17th, 2022 12:00 - 1:00PM, Walsh Room
Victorian Philosopher William James, also known as the 'father of psychology' said, " If you want a quality, act as if you already have it." We know that our thoughts lead to decisions and our decisions lead to actions. If we can change our thoughts, we can change our life. AND in this fun, interactive presentation, you will learn how you can change your thoughts through physical behavior. Don't just think, do!
Cooking Demonstration
Heidi McIndoo
Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 12:00 - 1:00PM, Walsh Room
Follow step by step and learn a fresh, new, tasty spring dish. Recipe TBD
Power of Positivity
Sue Lunt
Tuesday, May 10th, 2022 12:00 - 1:00PM, Walsh Room
What happens when you discover how to view your cup as half full? Join this program to learn about the research on positivity. Positivity impacts our health, our co-workers, and overall success. The session also provides participants with an interactive exercise on creating a positive mind.
Walk Across Campus Closing
Postponed
Return to Work Roadmap
Rachel Shanshiry
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., Zoom
RTW Roadmap: Holding Down the Fort and Re-Building Routines Are you mourning the loss of the zoom mullet (business on top, PJs on bottom)? You are not alone. While pivoting to remote was a major challenge, many of us have grown accustomed to the conveniences of working from home. Returning to work may upset the routines you put into place for childcare, pet care, exercise, and leisure. What are we missing, what are we gaining, and how can we re-calibrate? Join us to find ways to reconfigure the important pieces of your life. Together we will restore balance, build hope for our new normal, and throw in a few laughs along the way!
Pandemic Relief
Heidi Roth
Tuesday, October 19th, 2021 12:00 p.m. - 1 p.m., Zoom
Post-pandemic Grief; Healing from Loss and Hardship Did the pandemic take someone or something important away from you? Do you find it difficult to move forward given the changes in your life? Loss of loved ones, long-haul covid symptoms, financial hardship, and other struggles have been a reality for many. If “getting back to normal” does not apply to you, then join this session to begin building a healthy new normal. Learn the essentials of self-care and compassion and how to navigate common experiences that accompany loss. Together we will explore ways to honor your loss, build hope, find peace, compartmentalize, and get support.
Ways to Wellness
Heidi Roth
Wednesday, November 10th, 2021 12:00 p.m. - 1 p.m., Murray Room - Lunch will be provided
What would you be willing to change in your life to feel amazing, and have increased energy, healthier digestion and overall better mood? We will share ways to achieve enhanced wellbeing from how we speak to our friends and family, to our daily thoughts, our work, sleep, food and home environment.
Taking Care of Aging Parents
Sue Lunt
Wednesday, December 8th, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., Walsh - Lunch will be provided
Program will help establish goals for their elderly loved ones and discuss the realities of reaching these goals. Topics include:
- The Situation: How Did You Get Here?
- The Balancing Act
- Elder Services
- Understanding and Coping with Dementia
- Case Management: Who Should be Involved with Elder Care
- Elder Medical Information
Resilience and Life Skills for a Healthier You:
Rachel Shanshiry
Thursday, January 14th, 2021 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Start 2021 off right by building a practice of self-care that will strengthen and sustain you throughout the year! Learn evidence-based relaxation and mindfulness skills that will shed stress and build joy. In this upbeat webinar, you will explore the psychology of resilience and leave with practical tools that are guaranteed to build your mental toughness. Leave with a handful of strategies that will foster optimism, gratitude, and hone your focus on opportunities for growth.
Valentine’s Heart Health Cooking Demo:
Heidi Roth
Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 12:00 p.m. - 1 p.m.
February is Heart Health Month! Join us for a fun cooking demonstration of various appetizers and even a mocktail!
Recipes will include:
- Goat cheese and chorizo stuffed mushrooms
- Flourless chocolate cookies
- Parmesan walnut stuffed dates
- Pomegranate ginger sparkler or Strawberry passion no-jito
Caring for the Caregiver:
Catherine Collins
Monday, March 8th, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Though often overlooked, it is crucial for caregivers to also care for themselves. Join us to learn personal wellbeing strategies to incorporate while taking care of others. These will include specific hints related to caring for elders as well as nuances related to the current pandemic.
Caregiver Self Care Resource List
Change Old Unhealthy Habits into New Healthy Ones:
Pam Garramone
Tuesday, April 13th, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Feeling stressed? There's a habit for that. Feeling lethargic? There's a habit for that too. We all know how to feel healthier and happier but how many of us actually do these things? In this workshop, learn how to form healthy habits that last!
Eldercare Finances and Legality:
Ron Kearns
Wednesday, May 5th, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Caring for Elders is multifaceted and includes some potentially overwhelming financial and legal ramifications. Ron Kerns will discuss topics and help lessen some of the unknown, answer questions and ease your mind during this informative and helpful presentation.
Acupuncture for Common Uses and Chronic Pain
Kathy Seltzer
Thursday, February 6, 12 - 1:30 p.m. | Walsh Hall Conference Room
Whether you have experience with the practice or not, join us for this opportunity to learn more about acupuncture. The needles that are used in acupuncture treatments are relatively pain free. In this session participants will observe how a trained skilled practitioner can stimulate the specific points on the body by inserting very thin needles into the skin.
Discussion will include the benefits of this treatment and how it can be useful in alleviating everything from common conditions to chronic pain!
Happier, even in Winter!
Pam Garramone
Thursday, February 13, 12 - 1:30 p.m. | Walsh Hall Conference Room
How do you deal with disappointment? failure? Or a general feeling of blah? Do you bounce back or stay down? Are you sadder this time of year because of Seasonal Affective Disorder? How can you become more resilient? In this lunch and learn, acquire strategies to help you feel resilient, optimistic and productive even in difficult times.
Make and Take: Toxic Free Cleaning Agents
Wednesday, March 11, 12 - 1:30 p.m. | Walsh Hall Conference Room
Learn to protect your family from harmful chemicals by making non-toxic household cleaners. These homemade cleansers cost pennies to make, get your house gleaming and best of all, they are made from natural ingredients and do not contain any potentially toxic chemicals. This interactive make and take demonstration provide participants everything they need to know and how to get started without being overwhelmed!
Participants will make their own customized all-purpose cleaner and will be provided with recipes, tips, tricks and secrets to keep clean safe homes.
Blending for Health: A Smoothie Demonstration
Thursday, April 16, 12 - 1:30 p.m. | Walsh Hall Conference Room
Blending and Juicing ... what is the best choice? Both blending and juicing your fruits and vegetables are hot topics right now. Are you wondering what combinations of fruits and vegetables work best? What should you avoid? How often should you have one of these drinks? What about fruit...can it cause you to gain weight? We will cover these topics and more. There will be a few yummy concoctions to taste and recipes for you to try at home.
Make and Take: Creating Your Own Health & Beauty Items (Body Scrubs, Facial Masks, Hair Care, etc.)
Friday, May 1, 12 - 1:30 p.m. | Murray Room
Creating your own body care products can be very rewarding for a variety of reasons. These reasons can range from having control over what goes in them, to customizing according to your preferences, to reducing waste, saving money, along with reducing the use of chemicals, artificial colors and additives in your household.
This session looks at the health benefits of making your own products and teaches participants the tips and tricks to creating a perfect customized product for them. If making your own personal care products is not for you, this program will help you identify the worst offending chemicals in your personal care products. Come to this interactive session and make your own customized personal body scrub.
Parenting with Current Day Challenges:
Rachel Shanshiry
Thursday, September 24, 12 - 1:00 p.m.
Session will include tips on helping children manage fear and uncertainty, identifying parents' and children's core needs, assessing a child's well-being, flexibility in parenting, parenting self-care and outlets for stress, quality versus quantity of family time, modeling hope and resilience for children, positive implications of the pandemic on personal growth and relationships for parents and their children (creating meaning and an empowering narrative).
MBSR - Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction:
Filippa Anzalone, Associate Dean for Library & Technology Services, Law School
Friday, September 25, 2020 - Friday, December 4, 2020
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, known as MBSR, was conceptualized and created by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in the 1970s. MBSR is an established and well-researched form of mindfulness meditation. The practice of MBSR helps to cultivate self-awareness. It also encourages practititioners to change habitual patterns, to respond instead of reacting to stress, and to generally improve relationships with others. The MBSR training is an 8-week long program. Each class is 2.5 hours (classes 1 and 8 may be longer) and there is an all-day, silent retreat (8 hours) between weeks 6 and 7. There is a mandatory 2.5-hour Orientation two weeks before the start of the MBSR program. The Orientation, the 8 classes, and the retreat will all be presented online on Zoom. Once you are accepted into the program, you will receive a Zoom link.
Work Life Balance:
Rachel Shanshiry
Wednesday, October 14, 12 - 1:00 p.m.
Feeling overwhelmed with unfinished tasks? Learn several simple techniques that allow you to conquer your avoidance behavior, easily organize your life, find more energy, and accomplish more than you could ever dream possible. What you resist, persists. Do it now and feel good about yourself!
Senior Assist to Address Eldercare and Related Financial Topics:
Rob Kearns
Wednesday, November 4, 12 - 1:00 p.m.
More details to come.
Cooking for the Holidays Demo:
Heidi Roth
Tuesday, December 8, 12 - 1:00 p.m.
Join this cooking demo to learn some easy, festive and healthy holiday appetizer and mocktail recipes.
Boston College's charitable walk campaign marches on this year as we continue to incorporate BC's mission of being "men and women for others" into our health and well-being programming.
Join fellow BC employees in a walk for one of the following great causes! To join a team, please contact a Team Leader listed below. They will assist you with the registration process. All participants will receive a complimentary BC t-shirt, distributed by Team Leaders on the day of the walk. Please note that any registration fees and/or fundraising requirements are to be incurred by participants.
We are still looking for Team Leaders for walks. If you are interested in being the Team Leader, please contact Sue Lawler or call 617-552-3336. Team Leaders function as the point person for their walk, under the team name "Boston College Healthy You team.” In addition to receiving a complimentary BC t-shirt, Team Leaders will also receive a BC baseball cap.
While steps will only be counted towards the WAC competition from charitable walks that fall between October and November or April and May, all participants receive the benefit of getting exercise and walking for a good cause!
Fall Semester Charitable Walks
Click on the name of the walk for more information, including date, time and location.
- Brian Honan 5K Run/Walk Road Race Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ Noon
- Annual Boston Firefighters Local 718 10K Memorial Road Race Sunday, October 8, 2023 @ 9:00 AM
- Walk to Defeat ALS - Boston Sunday, October 15, 2023 @ 11:30 AM
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Thursday, October 19, 2023 @ 5:00 PM
- Annual Welles Crowther Red Bandanna 5K Saturday, October 21, 2023 @ 9:00 AM
- DAV 5K Boston Saturday, November 11, 2023 @ 10:00 AM
- Boston River Run Sunday, November 12, 2023 @ 9:00 AM
If you would like to recommend a preferred charitable walk that you do not see here, please email all details of the walk to Sue Lawler for consideration.
AJCU Go Move Walking Challenge
Calling all Boston College faculty and staff! Help your team win the annual Go Move Challenge by recording your minutes of physical activity to determine which Jesuit institution is the most active. With the majority of our Jesuit universities and colleges participating this year, including the AJCU staff, every minute truly counts!
HOW TO JOIN THE CHALLENGE
- You must create a new account each year to participate
- Visit www.GoMoveChallenge.org
- Click LOG IN / REGISTER on the top menu bar
- In the REGISTER box, enter your university email address and other required information; then click SUBMIT
- You will receive a confirmation email with your user email and password
HOW TO LOG MINUTES
Starting February 1, visit www.GoMoveChallenge.org
- Click LOG IN on the top menu bar (or REGISTER if you have not already done so -- see instructions above)
- In the LOG IN box, enter your email address and password
- In the LOG MY WORKOUT box, select the type of movement / activity, enter the number of minutes, and select a single date or date range for logging multiple days; if you need help converting your steps to minutes this CHART can help
- Click LOG IT
Remember: Keep moving and log your minutes until Feb. 28th
Every participant who signs up and sticks with it for the month will receive a prize!
HOW TO WIN
Once again, there are three ways to win:
- The university with the most minutes
- The university with the highest average number of minutes per participant
- The region with the most minutes.
The winning institutions will be announced on the www.GoMoveChallenge.org website and through our social media sites.
CHALLENGE RULES AND TIPS
- The challenge starts at 12 a.m. on Feb. 1 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 28 (all Pacific Time)
- Minutes must be entered by the end of the challenge to count for the challenge
- You will be tracking minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity = intentional exercise that causes at least a moderate increase in breathing or heart rate. If you are spending the day skiing, golfing, or vacationing, please only enter the minutes that you are moving moderately to vigorously.
- If you are a pencil-and-paper kind of person, download the exercise tracker and tips calendar to track your minutes and enter them on the Go Move Challenge challenge site at your convenience (starting mid-January)
- Share your challenge experiences and send or tag your photos showing your activities which will be included in our weekly AJCU challenge update article.
- Post your challenge photos on Facebook and Instagram with #GoMoveChallenge
- Read the challenge FAQs at www.GoMoveChallenge.org/FAQ
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By participating in this challenge, you agree to the following:
- I agree to log my minutes honestly, demonstrate good sportsmanship, and have fun!
- I certify that I am a faculty, staff, or board member of a Jesuit university or college.
- I certify that I am in good physical condition and am able to safely participate in the Go Move Challenge. I understand that my involvement in this Challenge as a faculty or staff member of my university shall be construed as a strictly personal, voluntary activity and not part of my faculty or staff member responsibilities or job duties as an employee, agent, or volunteer of the university.
Questions? Email Suzanne Lawler, Boston College, Human Resource, Assistant Director, Employee Development and Wellbeing
Healthy You's eldercare support seminars cover topics surrounding elder caregiving with a focus on providing support to the caregiver. These programs are facilitated by a consultant or panel of industry experts from local organizations who provide current information, customized resource materials, and include time for Q&A.
Registration is required for all seminars.
Be Empowered, Be Prepared. Everything You Want to Know About Aging, Your Parents, and YOU
With Meredith Patterson
Wednesday, April 29, 12 - 1:30 p.m. | Online
Online Resources
The edHEALTH Walking Challenge 2021 is set to start on June 7th and go through July 4, 2021. Registration for the challenge will open on June 7th. This challenge is sponsored by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
Limeade App Download Instructions
Campus Recreation Discounts
Campus Recreation & Healthy You are pleased to offer spring session courses at half price for faculty/staff members!
All benefits-eligible employees at BC who are also members of Campus Rec pay only half of the member rate for a course and Healthy You pays the other half. The 50% off rate will be automatically applied when you register; you will see the discount at check out.
FitClub
There is no FitClub this semester, but try the new Kickstarter Motivate with Bryan. This is a great way to jumpstart your routine and get yourself on the path to a healthier lifestyle!
Health and Well-being Calendar
Past Events
