Employee Whole Health
Employee Whole Health is essential to our health and resiliency as an organization and represents a proactive model of well-being that is protective against stressors and challenges we face in our day to day lives. Focusing on “ME” through mindful awareness and self-discovery allows us to reflect on what matters most, and brings connection to our meaning, aspiration, and purpose to support true work-life integration. Below, find resources developed to assist you in giving attention to your health and wellbeing journey!
Employee Whole Health Monthly Highlights
April is Whole Health Month!
This month (and every month really!) the Whole Health team wants to celebrate all VA Eastern Kansas employees and encourage opportunities for you to implement wellbeing practices into your work day! Once per week through the month of April you will find a Whole Health staff member outside of a VA building to greet you as you come into work and pass out Whole Health goodies and resources. Additionally, we have some new items in our relaxation rooms - such as sun lamps, vibration plates, and aromatherapy tabs. Kick start your Whole Health by stopping by for a brief massage in our massage chairs and explore these new items! Finally, in the month of April we encourage you to complete your own Personal Health Inventory to help you think about ways you'd like to prioritize your wellbeing as we move into the spring season! If you'd like help with setting goals, reach out to your Employee Whole Health Coordinator, Melanie Lehman, at Melanie.Lehman@va.gov to request assistance from a health coach! Whole Health month is an invitation for you to think about what matters most and to consider resources available to help support your Whole Health journey!
EK Wellness Spot
We have a brand new opportunity for staff to receive small doses of goodness through the EK Wellness Spot Teams channel! By joining this channel you will receive little drops of wellness that could include wellness tips, humor, inspiration or the inside scoop on Employee Whole Health events. Please reach out to Melanie Lehman, your Employee Whole Health Coordinator, if you would like to be added to the EK Wellness Spot Teams channel. Mel can be reached via Teams or email at melanie.lehman@va.gov to enroll!
Save the Date
Eastern Kansas will host the 15th Annual VA2K on May 21, 2025 at the Leavenworth Campus and on May 22, 2025 on the Topeka Campus. Both events will be from 11am-1pm. This is a great event for STAFF and VETERANS to connect, move our bodies as well as raise support and awareness for our Veterans receiving VA homeless services. More information to come, so stay tuned to the Daily Roll Up Announcements!
Employee Whole Health Survey
Employee Whole Health values your feedback!! Please take 2 minutes and complete the survey by either scanning the QR code or clicking the link below. Your feedback is invaluable as we plan for the future. Information from this survey will be used to tailor our Employee Whole Health services and offerings based on the needs expressed by our EK staff! This survey will be live until 3/31. Please share with your colleagues and teams!
Employee Wellbeing and Yoga
Employee Whole Health is here to support your wellbeing! Whether it be through quick breaks during the day or offering additional resources to help foster a resilient and connected workplace, there is something for everyone! Check out additional resources available to help support your wellbeing by clicking on the link below.
Employee Wellbeing | VA Eastern Kansas Health Care | Veterans Affairs
Check out our Yoga Quick Breaks we offer on Teams each Monday at noon and Wednesday at 10am. Let us know if you need a calendar invite or if you have 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. Click the link below to access this resource!
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. Please reach out to VHAEKHWholeHealthconsultants@va.gov if you are interested in taking this class!
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:
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- 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? Reach out to vhaekhwholehealthconsultants@va.gov and our team would love to support you!
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 90, T150
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
