Professional and Personal Development Programs

Open to faculty and staff. Register at http://knowledgelink.upenn.edu

Mindful Communication; 12/2; 12:30-1:45 p.m. Mindfulness is “paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally,” said Jon Kabat-Zinn. Mindful communication practices shine awareness on our intentions in communication. We learn: how to be intentional, stay present, observe our thoughts and manage our feelings for both listening and being heard—true communication. In this experiential workshop, you’ll see how mindful communication can help you become more intentional, engaged and effective both at home and in the workplace. No prior meditation or mindfulness experience necessary.

Psychology of Job Performance; 12/3; 12:30- 1:30 p.m. Successfully overcoming performance issues in the workplace requires a basic understanding of how the human mind works. In this hour-long session, we will discuss how job performance intersects with concepts within the field of psychology, such as behavioral science and motivation. We will discuss how these concepts form a framework that can be used to diagnose performance issues and realize the most efficient and effective ways to overcome them.

Assertiveness Skills; 12/4; 12:30-1:30 p.m. You may experience situations when you need to utilize assertiveness to complete a task, goal or project. In this class, we will identify personal blocks to assertiveness, identify both assertive and non-assertive language and behaviors and learn ways to use assertiveness in everyday situations.

Work-life Workshops

Open to faculty and staff. Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration

Healthy Coping Methods for Holiday Celebrations and Stress; 12/11; 11 a.m.-noon. The holidays can be a magical time filled with family, food, fellowship, gifts and laughter. However, the season can also be filled with sadness and stress due to countless factors. Quite often we are not equipped to manage the impact of these issues. Many people will increase their alcohol and drug use to cope with the social demands of holiday parties, the complexity of family dynamics and expectations of perfection. This presentation focuses on ways to prepare for the breadth of emotion often associated with the holidays. It will provide effective ways of coping with stress and practical self-care options to replace unhealthy modes of coping.

Penn Healthy You Workshops

Open to faculty and staff. Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration

Survival Skills for Holiday Eating Workshop; 12/3; noon-1 p.m. Join Meghan Anderson, registered dietician from Family Food, for this nutrition education workshop. Holidays are filled with celebrations and food. Come learn tools that will keep you on track during the holidays while still enjoying yourself. You will leave with a clear plan to reach your health goals over the holidays.

Gentle Yoga; 12/5; 11 a.m.-noon. Let your body reward itself with movement. Explore the natural movements of the spine with slow and fluid moving bends and soft twists. You will flow into modified sun salutations that loosen those tightened muscles and joints of the lower back, neck, shoulders and wrists. You’ll get a workout in the process. Mats and props will be provided.

December Wellness Walk; 12/6; noon-1 p.m. Our wellness walks encourage participants to increase their physical activity by stepping outside to pump up their heart rate by walking through Penn’s beautiful campus. What better way to get motivated and gain energy for the day! Meet the Center for Public Health Initiatives staff in front of College Hall by the Ben Franklin statue. The walk will be approximately 2 miles and we will inform you when we have reached the 1-mile mark if you need to exit the walk early. Bring your water bottle, and don’t forget to bring along a colleague and your sneakers!

Body Pump; 12/13, 11 a.m.-noon. A toning and conditioning class with weights that is for everybody. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to add strength training into their aerobic workout. You won’t know if you don’t go. So meet the challenge and reap the rewards.

Spinning; 12/18; 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Pedal your way to a fantastic workout indoors! With the use of stationary cycles, each class is led on a “virtual” outdoor road, complete with a variety of exercises. This class will give you an energizing, calorie-burning, fun workout, and it is great for all fitness levels because you will always ride at a self-directed pace.

—Division of Human Resources