Wellbeing @ Monash and Monash Sport newsletter – June 2017
Browse the Timeout newsletter for information on what’s new in Wellbeing at Monash. Read about the latest Wellbeing, Monash Sport and Team Monash 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 June edition:
- Wellbeing events and news
- Monash Sport news and offers
- TeamMONASH news
- Employee benefits and discounts
Diabetes prevention wellbeing seminar, are you at risk?
Diabetes week is on 9th of July – 15th of July and Monash University will be having the team from Diabetes Australia coming along to deliver a presentation on Diabetes and prevention.
Diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease with nearly 1,000,000 Australians currently diagnosed and 280 Australians developing diabetes each day. The good news is that up to 60% of cases can be prevented. You can learn how to reduce your chance of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as heart disease and stroke, by attending an information session delivered by DiabetesVictoria, will cover topics such as:
What is diabetes?
- Symptoms and complications of diabetes
- Risk factors linked to type 2 diabetes
- How to prevent type 2 diabetes
If you would like to attend one of our upcoming sessions, please click below to register.
Don’t let winter hold you back, it’s time to SWAP it!
Want to get active during winter?
Join us in one of the many activities held across different campuses and sites. We have many fitness class like boxing, pilates, learn to swim, yoga and ab’s express. Information on these types of classes, costs and locations can be found here.
If you want to organise a session for your staff or department email:wellbeing@monash.edu
It’s time to take a break!
Does eating lunch at your desk while answering emails or finishing a document sound familiar? Then you are not alone! Surveys show that 50% of workers feel too guilty to take a lunch break and almost 20% worry that if they take a break, they would be seen as not dedicated to their job. This, along with a new trend in lunch time meetings, means staff are not taking the time for that much needed break.
Yet taking a break is one of the best ways to set yourself up for a great afternoon. It enables you 
to refresh and reenergise yourself, while socialising with colleagues, enjoying a meal, and refocussing yourself for the afternoon ahead.
There are obvious health benefits to getting away from work and out into the fresh air as well. Sunshine stimulates our body while exercise as simple as a walk has benefits for improving overall health and wellbeing. Using lunch breaks to get some physical exercise, can help prevent health risks such as type-2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Of course, exercise has lots of other benefits too, including reducing stress, improving mood and increasing confidence and self-esteem.
So next time when next confronted with lunch at your desk, or the lunch time meeting, remember that the best way to feel well and have a productive afternoon is to actually “take a break”. Try out these tips for a week and see how you feel….
- Go for a walk with a colleague
- Get out into the daylight and enjoy your surroundings
- If you have a lunch time meeting, make sure you schedule time for a break before or after the meeting
- Talk to friends
- Eat a healthy lunch or snack – mindfully
- Try some stretching exercises
- Play a quick, mentally-challenging game
- Remember, if you are scheduling a meeting to avoid the lunch time period where possible.
Remember, taking a break is not only good for you and your wellbeing but also gives you that boost to get you through the day!
From the 1st of August, smoking is off the menu
The Victorian Government is committed to continuing the state’s strong history of tobacco reforms. Smoking will soon be banned in all outdoor dining areas in Victoria while food is available.
From 1 August 2017, the Tobacco Amendment Act 2016 will amend the Tobacco Act 1987 to ban smoking in outdoor dining areas. The ban will cover all outdoor dining areas at restaurants, cafes, take-away shops and licenced premises.
For more information on the upcoming legislation, please click here
New Using Food as Medicine Recipe Book!
The Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food are delighted to announce the release of their new e-recipe book developed as a practical guide on how to use Food as Medicine to fight inflammation!
What’s included in this new e-book?
- 40 easy to prepare recipes for main meals, snacks and treats packed full of foods with anti-inflammatory properties
- Information on the association between inflammation and lifestyle, including diet
- Practical tips so you can understand more about which foods in the recipe provides anti-inflammatory impact.
Cost: AUD$9.90 inc GST
To purchase your own e-copy of Using Food as Medicine: Fighting Inflammation please click here
University Health Services has a new oral surgeon
University Health Service (UHS) Dental Clinic is proud to welcome Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr Brent Woods to the team here at Clayton. He provides a full range of oral surgery procedures including implant placement and wisdom teeth management under local and general anaesthesia.
UHS offer discounted rates for students and are a selected member’s choice provider for Medibank Private. If you would like to visit, they are located at 21 Chancellors walk, Campus centre, Clayton. To book an appointment or any wisdom teeth enquiries, please contact 9905 1000
Mindfulness for wellbeing, resilience and performance
Mindfulness Stress Reduction
Learn how to reduce stress, be kind to yourself and improve your performance. Mindfulness involves learning to pay attention to the present moment rather than worrying or dwelling in the past.
The workshop begins on Tuesday 18th of July (6 weeks) at Clayton. Register here
Mental Health First Aid
This is a two-day workshop to equip you with a range of skills and strategies to provide help to someone experiencing a mental health issue. This is an internationally recognised program, and upon completing the training successfully you will receive a certificate of accreditation for 3 years.
The next training is on Wednesday 12 & Wednesday 19 July at Clayton. Register here
Monash Sport News, Events and Offers
Have you tried our new SumoSalad Cafe at Clayton campus?
Make sure you try out a healthy salad or wrap next time you finish a workout! SumoSalad offer a wide range of yummy and wholesome meals, which taste great! Check out their location and other offerings here.
Fitness Video: SkillMill
The SkillMill is a new piece of equipment at the Monash Sport Clayton Fitness Centre which can really help lift your cardiovascular endurance. Health and Fitness Instructor Martin takes you through how to use it. Watch the video.
MS 24 Hour Mega Swim! 
Pay less, play more!
Squash has joined our court hire Happy Hour! Hire a badminton court for half the price between 12-2pm Monday-Friday.
Video: Be Swim Fit!
Improve your fitness in the pool by taking our Swim Fit classes! Check out this short video for more information on why this group fitness class can be beneficial for members.
TeamMONASH News
Connecting with culture, the Indigenous University Games is more than a sporting event
The 2017 Indigenous University Games presents an opportunity for indigenous students from across Australia to come together and compete in a variety in sports…more.
Gunning for gold, ultimate frisbee built for success
Monash University has a tradition of success in ultimate frisbee, one which will hopefully be continued at the 2017 Southern University Games…more.
Great Britain hits a home run with Monash University’s Ashleigh Carolan
SOFTBALL: The significance of the local park is often forgotten, a magical place where legends are born, limited only by their imagination. For Ashleigh Carolan, Jells Park, in Melbourne’s South East, holds a special place in her heart…more.
The 2017 Varsity Challenge Review
The 2017 Varsity Challenge went down the wire. Monash had a point to prove after narrowly going down in 2016, the drive to regain our rightful trophy was clear to see…more.
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
Allianz has partnered with Monash University! 
Monash University has partnered with Allianz to offer exclusive online discounts across a wide range of insurance products. Allianz operates in Australia, employing approximately 4,300 staff and is one of Australia’s largest general insurers. With over 3.1 million policy holders, Allianz is the brand more Australians are relying on.
Purchase online to receive the following discounts:
- Up to 20% off Allianz Comprehensive Car Insurance*
- Up to 15% off Allianz Home Insurance*
- Up to 15% off Allianz Landlord Insurance*
How do I access this Employee Benefit?
- Visit the following website: http://monashuniversity.mybenefits.com.au
- Conveniently quote & buy online 24/7
- Applicable discounts are automatically applied via this portal
- Read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement/s to decide if the product is right for you.
Note: the above discounts are only available online at http://monashuniversity.mybenefits.com.au. and are not available through the Allianz Contact Centre.
Further information about terms and conditions can be found here
Departure Lounge discount
Departure Lounge offers discounted rates at selected Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree properties throughout Australia and New Zealand. These rates can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Get the most out of discounted rates by booking one month in advance for a minimum of three nights.