EAP NEWS

UAlbany Employees’ Link to Resources for Health & Well-Being

One important stress

management technique

is detachment which

helps build resilience. An

example is taking a vaca-

tion. One powerful and

healthy way to detach

that you may not have

heard of is “flow activi-

ty.” A flow activity is any

activity such as garden-

ing, painting, reading for pleasure, needlework, or

dancing that can absorb your complete attention in a

meaningful, goal-directed, pleasurable, and completely

distracting way. When you are busy and under stress,

it’s easy to fall into an “eat-sleep-work-repeat” cycle.

Interrupting this course of stress with two to three hours

a week of flow activities that help you completely detach

will significantly elevate your happiness. You will experi-

ence more balance and engagement with your job.

To learn more about flow, check out the TED Talk by

Mihaly Csikszentmihaly titled “Flow, the secret to happi-

ness.”

Stress Management: Discover Your “Flow”

Article Source: Frontline—Employee Wellness, Productivity & You! Frontline

newsletter is courtesy of the New York State Employee Assistance Program.

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s

those little bits of good put together that

overwhelm the world.” ~Desmund Tutu

They’re back for another

year! The annual EAP

wellness calendars are in

stock. Unbelievably, 2019

is just around the corner.

This popular, colorful cal-

endar offers an array of

tips for your health and

well-being that will help

you throughout 2019 and beyond. To request a copy be

sent to you via campus mail, call the EAP Office at

518.442.5483 or click on the “Special Promotions” icon

on the EAP website’s home page. www.albany.edu/eap

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Wellness Calendars Available

One per employee while the supply lasts.

Page 2 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Source for Articles: Frontline—Employee Wellness, Productivity & You! Frontline newsletter is courtesy of the New York State Employee Assistance Program.

Stalking Awareness Month Studies show that a woman over the course of her life will have about an 8 percent

chance of being stalked. For men, it’s about 2 percent. Stalking is unwanted or repeated

shadowing, observation, and scrutinizing of another person. It may involve following a

person, showing up where and when they do not expect it, and ignoring boundaries of

privacy. Stalking is a crime. Many incidents of workplace violence have been linked to

stalking, although later may be labeled as domestic violence-related. If you’re stalked at

work, don’t keep it a secret. Contact Human Resources, or discuss it confidentially with

the UAlbany EAP and get the support you deserve. Don’t be reluctant to let your employer know about the victimiza-

tion. Your safety and that of coworkers is your employer’s most important concern.

You’ve heard the expression “thinking outside of the box.” It’s thinking creatively

and solving problems in ways that defy convention. Outside-the-box thinkers see the

same information differently from the way their coworkers do. When others “zig,”

they “zag.”

You can learn how to think outside of the box. The payoff can be huge for both

you and your employer. Learning this skill starts with experiencing failure caused by

conditioned linear thinking. Try a few exercises by searching creative thinking exer-

cises online. Once you have an “aha!” experience with the exercises, then you’ve got

the idea.

Respecting Personal Boundaries at Work Respect in the workplace brings to mind things like tolerance, awareness of

diversity, and bias. But disrespect has its own issues that can impact produc-

tivity. One of them is not respecting the personal boundaries of a co-worker.

Do you walk through a co-worker’s door unannounced, call after hours

when he or she is at home, or sit in a chair close by while the coworker is on

the phone, waiting your turn to speak with him or her? Employees who

appreciate the importance of honoring personal boundaries will get along

better, and here’s why. When you disregard personal boundaries, you send

this nonverbal message: “I’m more important than you, so I don’t need to

respect your space.”

All of us teach each other what our personal boundaries are and how we want to be treated. Making them known is

a combination of assertiveness, diplomacy, and immediacy. “I would love to speak with you right now, but I need to

take this phone call in private” combines all three elements of how to establish a personal boundary. The most

important rule in maintaining personal boundaries is to practice what you preach. In other words, if you don’t want

people phoning after 8 p.m. to discuss a work issue, don’t phone them after 8 p.m.

Think Outside of the Box

Source: http://victimsofcrime.org [search: “stalking”].

Page 3 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

For the fourth year in a row EAP has declared November as Stress Less

Month. As we know from experience, November is a particularly busy

time on campus and in our personal lives as we head towards the end of

the fall semester and get ready for the holiday season. It’s a perfect time

to remind ourselves of the importance of pausing during your day to take

a break to relax, rejuvenate, and replenish in order to alleviate some stress.

EAP encourages all employees to take self-care seriously and to support coworkers in doing the same. One way to

keep on track with this effort is to find a “stress-less friend” at work. You can make a commitment to help each other

be proactive when it comes to relieving stress, find creative ways to incorporate stress less activities into the day, and

attend one of the EAP Stress Less events together!

Stress Less event details are outlined in this edition of the EAP ENewsletter. Register for an event and get it on your

calendar. By doing so, you’ll be saying to yourself that you are worth taking the time to use your EAP benefit

to support your health and well-being both in and out of the workplace.

Relax, Rejuvenate, Replenish,

Regroup, Refresh...

Adopt a Smoker Who is Trying to Quit If you don’t smoke, adopt a smoker who is trying to quit for a day to show your support! Here are some suggestions

to assist your co-worker (or a loved one or friend) to help meet their goal:

Offer to take your co-worker who smokes to lunch.

Provide goody bags filled with sugar-free gum, straws, and other items to hold or chew.

Offer to take a walk during breaks when your co-worker would be smoking.

Agree to give up a favorite snack or something near and dear to your heart to show support.

The American Cancer Society highlights some dos and don’ts to support a person to quit smoking. Here are a few:

Do respect that the quitter is in charge. This is their lifestyle change and their challenge, not yours.

Do ask the person whether they want you to ask regularly how they’re doing. Ask how they’re feeling – not just

whether they’ve stay away from smoking.

Do let the person know that it’s OK to talk to you whenever they need to hear encouraging words.

Do try to see it from the smoker’s point of view – a smoker’s habit may feel like an old friend that’s always been

there when times were tough. It’s hard to give that up.

Don’t take the quitter’s grumpiness personally during their nicotine withdrawal. Tell them that you understand the

symptoms are real and remind them that they won’t last forever. The symptoms usually get better in about 2

weeks.

Don’t offer unsolicited advice; just ask how you can help with the plan or program they are using.

For the full list, go to: https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/helping-a-smoker-quit.html

Page 4 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Caregiver and Depression

Source for Articles: Frontline—Employee Wellness, Productivity & You! Frontline newsletter is courtesy of the New York State Employee Assistance Program.

Do you care for a chronically ill person who also suffers with depression? If so, guard

and protect your mental health. Research has shown that caregivers are more at risk

for depression themselves if they care for a person with depression. Have social

and psychological support systems and practice basic stress management skills. October

11, 2018, is National Depression Screening Day. It’s dedicated to education, reducing

the stigma of depression, and encouraging people to get screened. Most

professional counselors can screen for depression in minutes. Contact UAlbany EAP for

a referral.

Many articles, books, and speeches have discussed the secret to find-

ing happiness, but there is only one 75-year study that has attempted to

pin down the answer. It’s the Grant and Gluek Study which began in

1934 and continues today. The project focuses on the lives of two

completely different groups of people—a large group of low-income

people from Boston, Massachusetts and a similarly large group of

Harvard graduates. The only finding common to both groups of what

ultimately brings joy is quality relationships. Recent studies on the

negative effects of loneliness lend support to these findings. Developing

strong and positive relationships is a social skill that also has some

important ingredients and can be learned. If you’re past your teens and younger years and you find your health and

relationships are lacking, it can be a bit more of a challenge to fire up an active friends network. For advice on reestab-

lishing a social life after lots of time away from the practice of doing so, start with a visit to UAlbany EAP.

Synthetic Marijuana (K2)

Relationships—The Secret to Happiness

Spice (or K2) is a dangerous psycho-active drug that is smoked, vaped, or drunk as

a tea. It recently made national news when over 70 people using it overdosed within

hours of each other in New Haven, CT. Spice is a mixture of plant materials like herbs

and a lab-produced chemical that acts on the brain in a manner similar to THC. THC

is the psychoactive substance in cannabis. These chemicals are far stronger than

THC. Withdrawal from them is difficult, and addiction is more likely. Spice is danger-

ous and unpredictable, and no users can be sure of what they are consuming. Many

drug screens still don’t detect Spice which makes it attractive to users. (That’s chang-

ing fast.) Spice is found nationwide, and much of it has been laced with fentanyl which can cause death. If you are

concerned about a family member, a friend, or yourself, contact UAlbany EAP.

Source: www.caregiver.org/depression-and-caregiving

Page 5 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Are you finding yourself struggling with any of

the following?

Family, parenting, and relationship issues

Work stress and conflict

Substance abuse or dependency

Elder care

Mental health concerns (e.g., depression, anxiety)

Legal and/or financial concerns

Grief and loss

Or anything else related to work or home that is

causing you undue stress and affecting your ability to be as productive as you once were?

You don’t have to deal with it alone. Support is available through UAlbany’s Employee Assistance

Program (EAP). The mission of UAlbany EAP is to provide services to support a healthy, productive work-

force. Available to all employees is the voluntary, confidential Information, Assessment, and

Referral Service provided by UAlbany EAP Coordinator, Brenda Seckerson. Take advantage of this

confidential assistance available to you as an employee benefit.

Confidential support, information, and

referrals are available through EAP to assist

you in finding a way to address your concerns.

Early intervention is the key! Contact EAP.

Employee Assistance Program-sponsored events and

services are open to UAlbany and Research Foundation

faculty, staff, family members, UAS employees, GSEU

members and retirees.

To schedule an appointment for a

confidential Information, Assessment &

Referral session, contact:

Brenda Seckerson, EAP Coordinator

518-442-5483

bseckerson@albany.edu

EAP Website: http://www.albany.edu/eap

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist and poet (1803-1882)

Page 6 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

EAP Wellness Program

Noon—1:00 pm

UPTOWN CAMPUS Tuesday, October 16 Room 375, Campus Center

HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS Tuesday, October 23 Café Conference Room, A Wing

To register, contact: Brenda Seckerson, EAP Coordinator 442-5483 OR register online

http://www.albany.edu/eap/event_sign-up.htm

Page 7 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

bseckerson@albany.edu

Page 8 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Understanding Your NYS Retirement Pension Benefits

Presented by an Information Representative from the

NYS Employee Retirement System (ERS), this

interactive session will offer participants who are

enrolled in ERS the opportunity to experience the

following:

learn the critical elements involved in the calcula-

tion of their pension benefits,

know what they can do to ensure they receive all

of the benefits they are entitled to, and

obtain information on how and when to contact NYS Local Retirement System to obtain their

specific information.

Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions related to pension benefits

during and after the presentation as well as receive a guide that covers pension information.

No matter what your age or how many years you have in the retirement

system, this presentation will help you better plan for your financial future!

Tuesday, October 30

Noon–1:00 pm

Assembly Hall

Campus Center

E A P F I N A N C I A L W E L L N E S S

P R O G R A M

To register, contact:

Brenda Seckerson, EAP Coordinator

bseckerson@albany.edu

518.442.5483 or Online

HTTP://WWW.ALBANY.EDU/EAP/EVENT_SIGN-UP.HTM

E A P F I N A N C I A L W E L L N E S S P R O G R A M

Page 9 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Health Sciences

Campus

Hope and Resilience How to make friends with the life you have now

The stresses of life face us all. Over time, the damaging effects can create poor health and take joy from our lives. Research shows that even if you’re not born with a sunny disposition, you can learn ways to face life’s challenges with greater resilience. In this program we will discuss the qualities of a “hopeful person,” and practice techniques to build hope in day-to-day life.

Presenter: Judi England, RN, licensed massage therapist, and professionally

certified Kripalu yoga instructor.

Friday, November 2 Noon—1:00 pm

Café Conference Room A Wing

http://www.albany.edu/eap/event_sign-up.htm

To Register: Brenda Seckerson, EAP Coordinator

bseckerson@albany.edu

Call 442-5483 or register online

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Wednesday - November 7th - 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

4 Tower Place, Room 407

http://www.albany.edu/eap/event_sign-up.htm

Page 11 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Take Advantage of the EAP Office Lending Library Compiled by Oscar Nunez, EAP Office Work Study Student

Lesbian Couples by D. Merilee Clunis, PhD and G. Dorsey Green, PhD is a practical guide

aimed to help women and their relationships. The authors present on a wide range of

topics like ceremonies, marriage, living arrangements, work, money, and coming out

to friends and families. As described, “The book gives a variety of examples and prob-

lem-solving techniques drawn from extensive research, and emphasizes the issues

that arise with couples of different races, classes, ages, and physical abilities.”

The Relationship Cure by John M. Gottman, PhD and Joan DeClaire is a book about

creating, strengthening, and maintaining the relationships we have with our spouses/

partners, family members, friends and co-workers. The authors outline a five step

guide that provides empowering tools designed to help create emotional relation-

ships with the people around you. If you are one that seeks to maintain, regain or

strengthen a relationship, this book is for you.

What does one do after an affair? Do you stop being intimate with your partner? Do

you forgive, or do you breakup? Often times after an affair, you may feel confused and

may not know what to do. Janis Abrahms Spring, PhD, is a nationally acclaimed

expert on issues of trust, intimacy and forgiveness, and is the author of After the

Affair. The book offers ideas on how to heal and grow in the aftermath of this type of

experience. Dr. Spring addresses questions that will help you understand why an affair

happened, how to get through it, and ways to rebuild your relationship. The book is a

must read for any couples who have experienced the violation of trust through an

affair.

Visit the Library page on the EAP website for a full list of topics, books, and DVDs/CDs that the EAP Lending

Library has available. Contact EAP if you would like to borrow any materials. bseckerson@albany.edu

As social beings, our relationships are important to us. But to keep them healthy, sometimes it’s helpful to get out-

side support and tips which can enhance the connections we have with our loved ones. Here are three books in the

EAP Lending Library that might provide valuable information to help you address issues which are having an impact on

your relationships.

Page 12 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

As the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) states, “Addiction can happen to

anyone, any family, at any time.” The OASAS website has important information regarding prevention as well as how

to recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid drug abuse.

To access the OASAS resources, click here.

Call the OASAS helpline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (I-877-846-7369).

Contact UAlbany EAP for a confidential conversation if you have concerns about

heroin or prescription drug abuse. Support and help is available!

bseckerson@albany.edu 518-442-5483

“Got5” is a

new text service

available through

the New York

State Office of

Mental Health.

DEA National Drug Take-Back Day

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is designed to

provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of

prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about

the potential for abuse of medications. To find a local drop-off

site, go to: https://takebackday.dea.gov/

Page 13 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Electronic Recycling Day

UAlbany’s Office of Sustainability and Facilities Management are

co-sponsoring an Electronic Recycling Day on Wednesday, November 1st.

Personal items will be accepted for FREE. No state-owned equipment will

be accepted. Properly recycling our electronics is an important way to pro-

tect our environment which ultimately affects our personal health and well-being.

For all of the details, go to: https://www.albany.edu/gogreen/files/flyers/erd20183.pdf

The University Health Center has invited a pharmacy to come to campus to provide student, faculty, and staff with flu vaccinations. Most insurance is accepted! For questions, contact the Health Center. (518) 442-5454

Tuesday, October 9, 2018 – 12:00 to 3:00 pm

Downtown Campus at Rudolf Room (Husted 110)

Thursday, October 11, 2018 – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Health Sciences Campus at George Education Auditorium

Wednesday, October 17, 2018 – 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Uptown Campus at Campus Center The “BEAN” (outside Starbucks)

Page 14 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Facilities are free to use for faculty and staff. Simply show your UAlbany ID to access. Passes for the group exercise class can be purchased at the Recreational Sales Office (PE Building).

Fall Semester Sales Office Hours Monday- Thursday : 9am-9pm

Friday: 9am-8pm Sat. & Sun. 10am-8pm

UAlbany Campus Recreation Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Spin, and Barre. These are just a few types of group exercise classes available to students, faculty, and staff by Campus Recreation. A group exercise class pass for faculty/staff is only $50 for the fall semester. Such a deal!

Information regarding how to purchase a pass or other services available at Campus Recreation can be found at: https://www.albany.edu/campusrecreation/membership.php

For class descriptions and further information: https://www.albany.edu/campusrecreation/group_exercise.php

Questions can be directed to: campusrecreation@albany.edu

Confucius Institute Offering Classes

Tai-chi Class

Friday 12-1, starting from Sept. 14th (12 classes in total)

Campus Center West Studio

Instructor: Rengang Wang, the Grandmaster

Martial Arts Class

Friday 1:30-2:30, starting from Sept. 14th (12 classes in total)

Campus Center West Studio

Instructor: Rengang Wang, the Grandmaster

Instructor: The Grandmaster Rengang Wang is from NY and has exceptional background and achievement in Tai-chi and Martial Arts.

Class fee: $60 (check only)

For all details, go to: https://www.albany.edu/confucius/classes/marts18fall.html

Page 15 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

EAP-sponsored events and services are

open to UAlbany & Research Foundation

faculty, staff, family members, UAS

employees, retirees and GSEU members.

UAlbany EAP E-News

October/Fall 2018

Publisher/Contributor

Brenda Seckerson

Contributor

Confucius Institute

Cassidy Drasser

Oscar Nunez

Copy Editors

Joanne Bocchino

Kathy Gurney

Merissa Mabee

Clipart/Photos

Frontline Newsletter

Openclipart.org

Publicdomainpictures.net

Brenda Seckerson

EAP website:

http://www.albany.edu/eap

Page 16 E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

Disclaimer: Material presented

in this newsletter is intended for

educational or informational

purposes only. It is not intended

to replace the advice of a quali-

fied health professional.

EAP is a joint labor/management program and is part of the NYS Employee Assistance Program. Contact Info: 10B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235 ~ 518.486.9769

“Many people spend too

much time trying to be the

captain of someone else’s

boat. Learn to be a lighthouse

and the boats will find their

way.”

~Anonymous Photo: Brenda Seckerson