October Work Life & Well-being Bulletin
Can you feel it? Fall is in the air. We can see leaves starting to change colors all over town. We are greeted by cooler mornings and warm afternoons. Some might call this season perfect unless you have severe allergies.
Our college students are feeling a bit more settled into their class schedules and routines. Hopefully, our campus employees are getting used to the new traffic patterns and volume.
As we approach this fall season, I hope you find some creative ways to infuse self-care into your daily and weekly routines. I have started walking around 5:30/5:45 a.m. most mornings. I’m loving it! It’s so peaceful, quiet, and perfect for reflecting and exercising. This early in the morning, it’s just me, the stars, the moon, and too many neighborhood cats. The cats look at me like, 'why are you here this early in the morning?' I even have a walking stick. (Actually, it’s my son’s walking stick.) I hope to keep it up until it gets too cold for early morning walks.
I’m sharing a bit about my early morning walking journey to remind you to prioritize your self-care and put yourself on your priority list. Figure out what will work for you and do it. Remember we are here to support you on your self-care and work-life journey with consultations, workshops, activities, resources and sometimes simply a listening ear.
Join us in October for our Work-Life Family Matters Series: Supporting Personal & Caregiving Needs. We will offer weekly workshops and events on each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in October.
You are invited to RSVP and attend as many opportunities as possible that interest you. Share this information with other UK employees. If you are interested in a topic, but you cannot attend the live workshop, you can RSVP and receive the video recording link after the workshop.
Thank you for supporting your UK team by sharing these upcoming opportunities that reminds them to support their personal and caregiving needs on their work-life journey.
Visit our online events calendar for details about upcoming workshops and events.
OCTOBER 2025
Work-Life Tip of the Month
- Do you have a healthy balance in how and when you use technology? Digital well-being encourages you to be mindful of how much time and energy you spend on your electronic devices as well as what you choose to engage in when using these devices.
Parenting Tip of the Month
- Create casual opportunities for your child to engage with you such as helping you with a chore, taking a walk, parallel play, grocery shopping, etc.
Elder Care Tip of the Month
- Find reprieve with respite care. It may be hard to leave your loved one in someone else’s care. But taking a break can be one of the best things you do for yourself AND the person you are caring for. Types of respite care include in-home respite with health care aides, adult day care centers, and some assisted living, memory care or nursing homes offer short stays.
Benefits of taking a week off from working out
While consistent exercise is important for building endurance, improving strength, and losing weight, there almost always comes a time when you have to take a break. The great news is that it takes a lot more than a week off from working out to undo all your hard work. Don't hesitate to rest if you're feeling tired and sore. In fact, taking a week off from working out can even be beneficial if you structure it properly. Read More
BONUS ARTICLE! The five signs of exercise burnout: https://www.verywellfit.com/ways-to-know-burned-out-on-exercise-1231388
Upcoming Events
October 2025: Family Matters Series
Series Theme: Supporting Personal & Caregiving Needs
Join us for weekly Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday workshops and events
TUESDAY EVENTS
- Tuesday, Oct. 7, noon - 1 p.m. Parenting journey panel – Parenting Styles: Do they matter? Register here.
- Tuesday, Oct. 14, noon - 1 p.m. Family digital and online well-being. Register here.
- Tuesday, Oct. 21, noon - 12:30 p.m. Self-compassion meditation. Register here.
- Tuesday, Oct. 28, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Virtual dementia tour (in-person) at UK College of Nursing. Register here.
WEDNESDAY EVENTS
- Wednesday, Oct. 1, noon - 1 p.m. Senior living: Does one size fit all? Register here.
- Wednesday, Oct. 8, noon - 1 p.m. Successful medication management. Register here.
- Wednesday, Oct. 15, 8:30-9 a.m. Working Parents "real talk" chat. Register here.
- Wednesday, Oct. 15, noon - 1 p.m. Elder caregiver support group. Register here.
- Wednesday, Oct. 22, 12:15-1 p.m. Work-life campus walking, (in-person) Meet in front of Funkhouser Building. Learn more here.
THURSDAY EVENTS
- Thursday, Oct. 2, noon - 1 p.m. Being prepared in case of emergencies. Register here.
- Thursday, Oct. 9, noon - 1 p.m. Play and work: Incorporating job awareness into play for children with disabilities. Register here.
- Thursday, Oct. 16. noon - 1 p.m. Emotional eating: Why it happens and how to curb it. Register here.
- Thursday, Oct. 23, noon - 1 p.m. Using accommodations for success in the workplace. Register here.
FYI reminders and helpful links
- 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 website 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
- Calendar of all upcoming workshops and events: https://hr.uky.edu/calendar
