Employee Whole Health

Employee Whole Health Monthly Highlights

April is Whole Health Month!

During the month of April we want to take the time to celebrate your Whole Health! Our team will be rounding throughout the month with the care cart stocked with all sorts of wellness items. If you would like to reserve the cart to take around to your team, just reach out to us by email and we’ll make sure it's stocked an ready! 

On April 30th, we will have a full day of 15-minute Quick Breaks each hour. We will offer Yoga, Tai Chi and Guided Meditation. Take a moment to take good care of you!

To reserve the care cart reach out to us at vhaekhwholehealthconsultants@va.gov. See the PDF below to access Quick Break links on April 30th!

Coming Up...

We also have the VA2K coming up in May, so mark your calendars! We will have the VA2K in Topeka on May 15th and in Leavenworth on May 16th, 11am to 1pm on both days. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks! This is a great opportunity to support our Veterans receiving care from our Homeless Veterans programs as well as spending this time together and moving our bodies! 

Wellbeats

Feeling weighed down by stress? Wellbeats Wellness is here to support you 💪

Access thousands of top-notch fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes—all at no cost! Simply log in to your Wellbeats account on your device and explore a wide range of guided classes to help manage stress and overwhelm. From calming yoga sessions to energizing workouts to healthy recipes, we’ve got something that suits your needs.

If you prefer to follow a step-by-step plan, consider joining the two-week Stress Less Program. This program is designed to ease the feelings of overwhelm by providing techniques, exercises, and nutritional guidance to reduce stress levels and improve your daily life.

Wellbeats will also be offering a virtual VA2K training program in the month of May customized to fit the needs of EK staff. Be on the look out for more information to come!

Employee Yoga

Has the cold, dreary weather put a damper on your exercise routine? Head indoors and join Laura or Billie for FREE in-person employee yoga. Laura leads yoga in Leavenworth on Tuesdays from 4:45pm-5:45pm in the Employee Gym. Beginning December 19, 2023 this class will be held in the Schwarzkopf Room and will be held at the same time. Billie leads yoga in Topeka on Thursdays from also 4:15pm-5:15pm in the Employee Gym. Put on some comfy clothes and give yourself this hour of self-care! Feel free to reach out with any questions at vhaekhwholehealthconsultants@va.gov. Namaste!

Begin Your Personal Journey Today

The Personal Health Inventory is a tool created to walk you through the Circle of Health and assist you in identifying your mission, aspiration, and purpose (MAP).  Once your MAP is clearly identified, you can use this tool to help evaluate where you are and where you'd like to be in your health and wellbeing journey, and consider how your personal goals might best align with the things you value most. Download the file below to get started!

Health Coaching for Employees

Are you ready to prioritize your health and wellbeing, but not sure where to start? VA Eastern Kansas is proud to offer you individualized health coaching to get you from where you are to where you want to be. Our coaches will work with your schedule to find a convenient time to provide accountability, identify proactive goals, and help problem-solve barriers. Coaching can be offered virtually to all staff or face-to-face on the Topeka and Leavenworth campuses. Simply email vhaekhwholehealthconsultants@va.gov to get started!

VAEK Employee Whole Health Classes

Whole Health For You and Me

This course is designed to guide you in exploring Whole Health and considering how it can be used to improve your health and well-being. Together we will identify tools and support to empower your success. In addition, learn about EKHCS resources that are available, for free, to support your health and wellbeing while at work and at home.  

Join this class virtually or one of the in person sessions on your campus in 2024. 

• WH102 Virtual Modularized (2) 1 hr. classes available in March, May and August 2024.
• WH 102 (1) 2hr. class In Person Topeka Campus September 10th, 2024.

For more information or to enroll go the EKHCS Education SharePoint Learning calendar, find the class and date you are interested in and earn free CEUs for your participation. 

Whole Health Coaching Skills for Clinicians

Whole Health Coaching for Clinicians occurs in 2 hour segments over a 4-week period and is designed to be highly experiential, with an emphasis on taking coaching skills back to your clinical practice. The focus of this virtual course is on meeting Veterans where they are in readiness for change, providing information in a Veteran-centered fashion ( a ‘coach’ approach), and supporting actionable steps toward improving their health and wellbeing. 

VISN 15 Offerings

Visit our VISN 15 Sharepoint to explore whole health classes that allow you to engage and learn with your peers from other organizations throughout our VISN. Through these courses, you'll have the opportunity to learn about and explore your own Whole Health as well as how Whole Health fits within your clinical or work practice!

National Offerings

Visit the National Whole Health Education Sharepoint to explore whole health classes that allow you to engage and learn with your peers from other organizations throughout the country. You'll have the opportunity to learn anything from Eating for Whole Health, to Empowering and Equipping staff, to using Whole Health principles to Lead Change in your organization!

Whole Health Minute

A Whole Health Minute involves taking 60 seconds prior to the start of a meeting or huddle to engage in an activity as a team that supports employee health and wellness components within the circle of health.

Activities can be anything from mindfulness or breathing exercises, riddles or jokes, to stretching or gratitude practices. 

The goal is simply to come together as a team, pause and take a moment to kick off autopilot and connect.

Benefits of a 1-minute mindfulness exercise:

• • Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system dissolving stress and anxiety
  • Slows down and calms the mind
  • Activates and strengthens the prefrontal cortex, enhances mindfulness
  • Allows us a moment in our day to consider and prioritize our self-care
  • Creates and strengthens our sense of community together

Ready to get started? Use the Whole Health Minute Practice Guide below to get started now. If you have further questions or would like additional support on implementing a Whole Health Minute, please reach out to vhaekhwholehealthconsultants@va.gov .

Facility Resources

Employee Gym

Pursue your health and physical fitness goals by utilizing the VAEK 24-hour employee fitness center! Enjoy the use of our cardio equipment, free weights, circuit machines, and resistance trainings. If you'd like to gain access to the employee gym, please email vhaekhwholehealthconsultants@va.gov to get started. Employee Fitness Centers are located at the following locations:

Topeka: Building 3, Ground floor at the end of the hall

Leavenworth: Building 71, A150

Employee Whole Health Relaxation Rooms

In the midst of a busy work day, please remember that YOU matter! Our Employee Whole Health Relaxation Rooms are designed to give you protected space away from your duty station to engage in a mindful moment and rejuvenate. In these rooms, please enjoy the use of massage chairs, essential oils, yoga mats, exercise bands, and more! Relaxation rooms can be found in the following locations:

Topeka: Building 2, Room A2; Building 1, C519, G1 Key

Leavenworth: Building B, Room B111; Building 122, Room 240, any VA key will give you access