January 2026 Work-Life & Well-Being Bulletin
Happy New Year! As we welcome 2026, what are your thoughts? What are you reflecting on? What are you hoping for in 2026? Are you creating new year’s resolution, well-being goals or reviewing life hacks? Are you considering how you can maintain healthy work-life boundaries and relationships? Thoughts can be powerful and leading. I encourage you to pause and think about what you are thinking about. Approach this new year with intention and grace. Take it one day, week and month at a time. Reflect, reset, and keep moving forward. Good luck on your work-life management journey in 2026.
Remember we are here to support you with a variety of work-life and well-being resources and services. We provide support to faculty and staff in the areas of mental health, emotional resilience, elder care, parenting, pet care, nutrition, physical fitness, financial wellness, and more. You are encouraged to utilize the resources that meet your needs. We offer year-round confidential consultations, department presentations, workshops, small group sessions, support groups, special events and more.
Check out the Work-Life and Well-being services website resources as well as the full list of upcoming workshops and events on the website calendar.
Please RSVP and attend the opportunities that interest you. If you are interested in a virtual workshop, but you cannot attend the live workshop, you can RSVP and receive the video recording link after the workshop. Please note that we will not record the virtual support group meetings.
JANUARY 2026 TIPS
Work-Life Tip of the Month - New year and new opportunities to set a few practical goals for your mental, physical, financial, professional, spiritual, and social health. Add realistic steps to reach your goals. Also, write down important dates and occasions.
Parenting Tip of the Month - Parenting is a journey. It’s not about perfection, but progress. Identify areas where you have made progress, then pat yourself on the bac
Elder Care Tip of the Month - Plan B. Having a backup plan is vital should you get sick, need a medical procedure, or have a family emergency outside of your parent’s care. Caregiving is unpredictable and you can’t plan for everything. Consider finding a caring professional that is available if needed.
Upcoming events
Tuesday, Jan. 13, Noon - 1 p.m. The sandwich generation: Caregiving for children and aging loved ones. Register here.
Wednesday, Jan. 14, Noon - 1 p.m. The empowered caregiver: Building the foundations of caregiving. Register here.
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 8:30 - 9 a.m. Working Parents “Real Talk” chat. Register here.
Wednesday, Jan. 21, Noon - 1 p.m. Elder caregivers support group. Register here.
Wednesday, Jan. 28. Work-life campus walking. Meet in front of Funkhouser building by 12:10, walk at 12:15. Learn more here.
Teams’ channels
Teams Channel for Elder Care Caregivers – Share stories, advice, make new connections, engage with fellow caregivers, find resources and links to previous workshops. General | Elder Caregiver Network | Microsoft Teams
Teams Channel for UK Working Parents – Connect with other UK working parents and guardians, receive resources, share advice, be encouraged, and stay informed about programming. General | Working Parents Network | Microsoft Teams
FYI reminders and helpful links
Calendar of all upcoming workshops and events: https://hr.uky.edu/calendar
Work-Life and Well-being website: https://hr.uky.edu/work-life-and-well-being
UK Employees’ Discounts website listing: https://hr.uky.edu/benefits/more-great-benefits/employee-discount-program
Working Parents resources: https://hr.uky.edu/work-life-and-well-being/working-parents
Elder Care resources: https://hr.uky.edu/work-life-and-well-being/elder-care
Join the UK Working Parents’ Network: https://hr.uky.edu/work-life-and-well-being/working-parents/working-parents-network
Crisis in Relief in situations involving faculty and staff (CRISIS): https://staffsenate.uky.edu/crisis
To complement these resources, check out this inspiring article written by one of Health and Wellness’ health coaches, Amy Rodquist-Kodet: Beginning the New Year with Intention, Not Resolution. It’s a great reminder that small, mindful steps can lead to lasting change.
