Hello UMA Colleagues,
We’re excited to welcome you to the very first communication from the UMA Wellness Collaborative! Our goal is simple: to support the well-being of our faculty and staff by sharing practical, evidence-informed wellness tips while highlighting the wonderful resources already available online, in our local communities, and at UMA’s main campus and Centers.
For benefits/wellness information linked to Anthem, please visit the UMS Employee Benefits Center.
You can look for upcoming wellness spotlights and resource highlights from the UMA Wellness Collaborative here on The Lookout, where we’ll share tips, ideas, and reminders throughout the year.
As we ease into the new year, we have one very important question to ask…
How Are Your New Year’s Resolutions Going?
Choose the answer that resonates with your soul:
- Crushed it for three days… then my resolution ghosted me.
- Accidentally created February/March resolutions instead.
- I’m thriving, but only if Girl Scout cookie season doesn’t count.
- What resolution?
- Proudly revisiting and refining my goals using a SMART Goals approach (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound… and sometimes involves snacks).
Want help making your goals more manageable?
Here’s a gentle guide to crafting SMART goals that support sustainable wellness habits.
Winter Wellness Spotlight
As we all navigate the deep chill of winter in Maine, here are a few friendly reminders for whole-person well-being across the 8 Dimensions of Wellness:
Emotional Wellness
- Bright light therapy (or simply sitting near a sunny window) can boost mood during dark months.
- Short “pause moments”—a deep breath, warm tea, or a grounding stretch can reset your day.
Physical Wellness
- Move in ways that feel good: a brisk hallway walk, chair yoga, or a snowy nature stroll.
- Hydration doesn’t go on winter vacation-keep the water bottle nearby!
Social Wellness
- Reach out to a colleague you haven’t chatted with lately. Winter can feel long, and connection helps.
Occupational Wellness
- Remember to take micro-breaks between tasks. Even 90 seconds can lower tension and increase focus.
UMA & Community Wellness Resources
Over the coming months, we’ll be featuring wellness offerings available through:
- UMA’s campuses & Centers
- Local community organizations
- Online wellness resources that are already included in your employee experience
Our focus: simply highlighting what’s already available and helping each of us
connect with one new resource we might not have known existed.
Stay tuned—we will share our first curated list of center-specific wellness resources soon!
Have ideas to share, resources to recommend, or something you’d love to collaborate on? Email us anytime at UMAEmployeeWellnessCollab@maine.edu.
Wishing you a cozy, balanced winter,
~The UMA Wellness Collaborative
Co-Chair: Megan Mantey, Director of Counseling and Wellness
Co-Chair: Amanda Thaller, Nursing program faculty
Roger Collins, Fitness and Athletics Staff
Lori Googins, Director of Ellsworth Center
Heidi Schoonbeck, Assistant Professor of Dental Health
Joy Steward, Coordinator of Student Life: Wellness & Co-Curricular Enrichment