Wellbeing @ Monash and Monash Sport newsletter – March 2016
Browse the Timeout newsletter for information on what’s new in Wellbeing at Monash. Read about the latest Wellbeing and Monash Sport events, services and activities.
For information about latest events, special offers, discounts, and news, subscribe to the newsletter by emailing wellbeing@monash.edu
In the March edition:
- Wellbeing events and news
- Monash Sport news and offers
- TeamMONASH news
- Employee benefits and discounts
Wellbeing Events and News
New free online course- Can we use food as medicine?
Interested in learning more about food, nutrition and wellbeing?
Professor Helen Truby and her team in the department of Nutrition and Dietetics here at Monash University have developed a free online course helping to address the question- can we use food as medicine?
This course is designed for anyone with an interest in food, nutrition and health and does not require previous knowledge or experience in science or health studies.
This course would also be of interest to medical and healthcare professionals looking to up skill their knowledge in food and nutrition, and see what the current evidence is for using foods to improve health.
There are two Food as Medicine courses running in 2016, starting:
- Monday 2 May
- Monday 23 October
To learn more about this course http://www.med.monash.edu.au/scs/nutrition-dietetics/short-courses/food-as-med.html
Or to register https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/food-as-medicine
How to have a healthy and happy Easter Break
Easter is coming soon and it’s a day of celebration and indulgence. While it’s easy to go overboard at this great time, remember, it’s all about balance.
Here are some great websites to help you maintain that balance during the Easter Break!
- 10 ways to snack smarter over Easter
- A guilt free Easter
- Work off your Easter eggs
- How to avoid the Easter weight trap
- Four Ways to have a healthy and happy Easter
Sign up now for new SWAP classes TODAY
Get organised and grab your colleagues and register in one of the many wellbeing activities available.
We have many fitness class like boxing, pilates, yoga or zumba at various campuses. All classes, costs and locations can be found here
With 30, 45, or 60 minute fitness classes priced from just $9.00, $10.00 or 11.00 per person, why not organise a fitness class at a time and venue that suits you and your department by emailing wellbeing@monash.edu.
Are healthy smoothies actually really “healthy”?
Many people choose smoothies as a quick and refreshing way to have a healthy meal, but research has shown that these “healthy” smoothies are not in fact healthy and can sometimes contain more kilojoules than a Big Mac and more sugar than a bottle of soft drink.
Many of these “healthy” drinks are filled which high levels of sugars which can contribute to weight gain and a build-up of toxic fat around your organs, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
To read the full article click here.
Mindfulness at work, works!
Do you find that you’re thinking about something that happened yesterday instead of focusing on the present?
If you answered yes, you’re not alone. The latest research shows that our attention is wandering 47% of our waking hour. Our workload is getting is bigger and we are finding it difficult to do all our tasks and meet deadlines, so we are multi-tasking. However, instead of making us more efficient, studies have shown that multitasking actually reduces our productivity by as much as 20-40 per cent. Further, we are more susceptible to making errors, it takes us longer to complete a task, and it increases stress.
More information on how to practise mindfulness in your workplace can be found here.
Invigorate your future
Monash Staff Development are introducing a new course aimed at improving your wellbeing. If you are generally from age 27 years old who is:
- open to reassessing and refreshing perspectives on their lives and work,
- ready to imagine, explore and experience new ideas and possibilities
- interested in creating new and improved goals.
Then this program is for you. Themes of the program include:
- Discovering your circles of influence and concern
- Relationships with time, self, others, change and work and career
- Positive health and finance management
- What matters to you now? Changing work and life values and goals
- Clearing “stuff” to enable and embrace the future
- Rewarding success
- Presenting a positive authentic self
- Designing new futures
To register for this course, please click here
Want to walk more?
Exciting news! The Walking Maps website has had a digital makeover. It’s now easier to:
- Find highly rated walks for your next walking adventure
- Share walks with your friends and family via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and email
- Create your favourite walks with improved save, edit and photo upload (up to 10MB) functions.
This weekend, why not try walking around Lysterfield Park, its only 5.6km and a great way to start getting active.
Premier’s Active April
Get started by Registering then Login to the Active April Activity Tracker to track your progress throughout the month. You can also create and join teams to get others involved and enjoy the fun together.
There are some great prizes you can win, so why not get involved with your friends and family and go in the draw!
New Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The University provides access to confidential, professional counselling and support for all staff and their immediate families through the provision of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP is an internal and external professional, confidential counselling service available free-of-charge to all Monash staff members. Immediate family members can also access the external service, namely Davidson Trahaire Corpsych (DTC) which are an independent organisation with professional provider accreditation engaged by Monash.
DTC offers counselling support to deal with:
- Career issues
- Depression
- Marriage and family problems
- Emotional stress or trauma
- Alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems
- Interpersonal conflict
- Grief and bereavement
- Gambling and addictions
- Relationship difficulties
More details regarding how to make a booking and further information, can be found here.
Mindfulness for wellbeing, resilience and performance
Refocus over lunch
Lunch-time meditation – 30 minutes
Mindfulness meditation is an effective way of learning to focus your attention and staying engaged with what you are doing. Monash University strongly encourages all students and staff to practice mindfulness as it has been shown to:
- reduce stress
- improve brain performance
- enhance wellbeing.
Free for all Monash students and staff – there is no need to book – just come along and experience the benefits of mindfulness for yourself.
Lifestyle program
ESSENCE of health– 6 x 60-minute sessions
A comprehensive lifestyle program underpinned by enabling strategies such as mindfulness, enhancing motivation, goal setting and behaviour change. This practical course enables participants to apply the ESSENCE model to personal and professional life including setting and working towards healthy lifestyle goals.
Relaxation and emotional health
Mind Body Medicine– 4 x sessions (60 – 90 minutes)
Using a combination of presentations, discussion and practical exercises to promote emotional health and relaxation.
Monash Sport News, Events and Offers
Monash AFL Tipping is Back!
Join in the only Monash-wide footy tipping competition. Create a private league with your friends, or join in the public league!
New to footy tipping? Find out all you need to know here. Or register for free via the website here.
Multi Session Pass on Sale Now!
For a limited time only, pay for a 9 hour court pass and receive 12 hours, that’s 3 hours free!
Sports include badminton, squash, tennis and table tennis. Head to the main service desk at Monash Sport for further details and purchase. Hurry! Offer ends this Sunday 20 March.
New Clayton Nature Walk
Monash University will begin to install a circuit and nature walk track around the Monash Sports precinct on Clayton campus, which can be used for running or casual walking. See here for more information.
March Madness Sale!
The Doug Ellis Swim Shop is a 15% off sale for all swimwear, goggles and accessories! See more information here.
Our Latest Facility Improvements
We are pleased to announce the new entry to Chisholm Hall at Caulfield campus has been completed, and a new fitness station at Peninsula campus has been introduced for outdoor workouts!
2015 Statistics
Have a look at our numbers for customer feedback, Social Sport and memberships for 2015 here.
Video: Monash Sport – Active bodies, vibrant minds
Click on this short video to see how we want to help you to maintain an active body and a vibrant mind.
New Les Mills Launches!
Our Les Mills classes have all new routines. See the timetable for the classes at your campus here.
Monash Sport Activewear!
We have new merchandise on sale now! Singlets, t-shirts, shorts, gym bags, towels, drink bottles and hoodies are all available from the Monash Sport Clayton Service Desk. Members can have a 10% discount on all apparel items, make sure you don’t miss out!
– Singlets $25
– T-Shirts $25
– Shorts $35
– Gym Bags $30
– Towels $10
– Drink Bottles $14
– Hoodies $55
TeamMONASH News
Run for the Kids
Support the Royal Children’s Hospital with TeamMONASH! Join TeamMONASH at the annual Run for the Kids on Sunday 20 March, with options to run the 5.4km course or challenge yourself to the 15.5km course…read more here
Look out for the mens AFL match between Monash and Melbourne on Wednesday 23 March from 7pm on the Frearson Oval at Monash Sport! See more information here.
The Mother’s Day Classic is an annual fun run or walk that helps that helps to both raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer. It brings together people from all walks of life and all ages in a festival atmosphere that allows them to do something fun and active while remembering those that have been affected by Breast Cancer.
TeamMONASH invites all Monash students to get involved. Participants can undertake a 4 or 8km run or walk, so there is something to suit every fitness level. For those who’d love to get involved but don’t feel comfortable walking or running, volunteering opportunities are also available.
Last year we won the award for Biggest Tertiary Team at the Mother’s Day Classic so let’s try to make this year just as big and continue the tradition of giving back. See further details here.
Introducing…DAYTON! Monash University’s new mascot!
Ronnie van Hout’s Dayton, an oversized sculpture of a seated robot (which can be found opposite the New Horizons building on the Clayton Campus) has been humanised and is now Monash University’s official mascot! Dayton is gender-neutral, fun, friendly, and encourages us to think about the increasing human-like nature of robots and our corresponding and intensifying reliance on technology. Dayton has already made an appearance at Clayton Campus during Orientation Week, and we look forward to seeing Dayton in the future! Make sure to get a picture with Dayton and upload it to our Facebook page or Instagram! #MonashDayton
Monash University’s first official athlete on the Road to Rio!
Only 22, of the expected 450, Australian athletes have been confirmed for the Rio Olympics this year but TeamMONASH can officially announce our first athlete’s confirmed place in Rio 2016. Caroline Marton!!! The already two-time graduate and current Juris Doctor student of Monash University is also one of the 4 Australian’s selected in the Taekwondo team. View Caroline’s Australian Olympic profile here.
Caroline has been a part of the Monash University Elite Athlete Program since 2011, and represented Monash University in the 2011 and 2012 World University Games. She has said of the program: “I am so grateful for being at Monash who have been outstanding in supporting my sporting career and university studies.” #MonashPride
Employee benefits and discounts
Monash staff have access to a great range of employee benefits and discounts including accommodation, travel, travel insurance, airport parking and car hire and plenty more. Read more information in the range of employee benefits and staff discounts
Join Medibank !
Join Medibank Corporate Health Cover by April 30 and get one month free, plus we’ll waive the 2 & 6 month waiting periods on extras. And as a Monash University employee, you can get a 7% discount. Call 131 680, visit a store or go to www.corporate.medibank.com.au/monashuni.
Introducing GymBetter – as a Corporate hospitals & extras member, you have access any participating Fitness First, Anytime Fitness or GoodLife health club for only $8.50 per gym visit nationwide. With no contracts and no joining fees, a Medibank Corporate membership will be the only gym membership you’ll need, Simply visit the Apple App store (for iPhone) or gymbetter.com.au (for Android Smartphones).
Want to speak to someone from BUPA 1:1 at your campus?
Bupa provides staff access to the Monash Corporate Health Insurance Plan, with:
You can look forward to competitive corporate premiums and benefits such as:
- A 5% discount off your health cover.
- Loyalty maximums – each year we increase how much you can claim by 20% of the initial amount for most extras services (up to 6 years). On Monash University health plan, you can start at year 3 loyalty maximums.
- If you need hospitalisation, the excess will be paid on your behalf on selected covers.
Join the Travel club
Travel Club is a private leisure club which gives you access to amazing holiday deals and discounts to destinations all over the world. Backed by the global Flight Centre Travel Group, Travel Club offers Monash University staff access to the best deals together with a dedicated, highly experienced consultant. As a member of Travel Club you will have access to specially negotiated holidays, products and services tailor-made for you.
And, as a bonus, all Monash University staff who register will receive a $50 gift voucher upfront, and one every year after that, to put toward their next holiday*. With Travel Club’s “Price Promise” you can be sure you’re getting the very best price, Travel club will beat any available quote you find*, that’s how committed they are to ensuring you have the best value experience every time you travel.
So register today and start planning your next trip. *Terms and Conditions apply.
10% off Rydges, Art Series and QT Hotels & Resorts
Enter the Monash Corporate ID at 40 Rydges, Art Series and QT Hotels & Resorts in Australia, New Zealand and the UK and receive:
- 10% off all your accommodation bookings
- Best rates online guaranteed
To start saving:
- Visit any of the hotel websites and select your preferred location and stay dates
- Enter the Monash Corporate ID: PC102298 in the text box and save 10% off the best rates
Other discounts available to staff
- Andrew’s Airport Parking – 20% discount for staff, 15% for family
- Lite n’ Easy – 7 day meal pack discount
- Monash Commuter Club, 10% discount on Myki