Prioritize Your Wellbeing
As we move into winter and the semester winds down, prioritizing your wellbeing becomes more important than ever. Check out the upcoming programs, designed to help you find moments of calm, restore your energy and connect with community during the busy holiday season.
New! Sign up for the 5-Day Inner Peace Blueprint email series and receive simple, science-backed practices delivered straight to your inbox each morning.
Whether you’re looking to release end-of-semester tension through gentle yoga, enjoy a quick midday reset with chair massage, build daily calm practices through our email series or celebrate the season at our Winter Wellness event, the upcoming programming emphasizes self-care that fits into your life. True wellness is about finding what works for you!
Here is what is in store:
- 5-Day Inner Peace Blueprint: Sign up for this email series and receive simple, science-backed practices delivered straight to your inbox each morning. Starting Dec. 8.
- On-Campus Chair Massage: Faculty and staff are invited to sign up for complimentary chair massage sessions
- Join a Yoga Session: These after-work yoga sessions are the perfect reset and will be led by Sky Yoga instructors.
Stillness Starts Here: 5-Day Inner Peace Blueprint
This 5-day email series brings simple, science-backed calm practices straight to your inbox. This 5-day email series brings simple, science-backed calm practices to your inbox, highlighting small, powerful shifts you can make in minutes. Learn techniques, create peaceful spaces and quiet mental chatter. By the end of the week, you’ll have a personal toolkit for finding peace—even on your busiest days. Plus, you will be entered to win one of three copies of Adam Grant’s book, “Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success.”
Email series begins on Monday, Dec. 8
Sign-up for the 5-Day Inner Peace Blueprint
On-Campus Chair Massage Sessions
Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation. Faculty and staff are invited to sign up for complimentary chair massage sessions by massage therapists by Health in Hand massage therapist. These are 10-minute quick sessions for a chance to recharge. Space is limited, reserve a spot today.
Select the below date to register for your session of choice and a meeting invite will be sent to you for your selected time. Please limit one session per faculty or staff member.
- Wednesday, Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Skybarn (South Campus)
- Thursday, Dec. 4, 12:30-4:30 p.m. at 308 Barnes Center at The Arch (Meditation Room)
- Monday, Dec. 15, 12:30-4:30 p.m. at 500 Hall of Languages
- Wednesday, Dec. 17, 12:30-4:30 p.m. at Whitman School of Management (Milton Room)
Mini Mindful Breaks
Presenter: Christine Brophy, Certified Warriors at Ease Yoga Teacher & Retreat Leader
Wednesdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17
3:15-3:30 p.m.
As 2025 comes to a close and we enter this busy holiday season, take a few moments for yourself to enjoy a mid-week mindful break. We will be doing a different type of guided focus relaxation with breathwork each week. Each break can be done as a stand-alone practice, or if done consecutively, will build from centering to grounding to receiving. Your body will be filled with gratitude for this gift of relaxation. Sessions will be hosted virtually via Teams, see details below.
Sign up for Mini Mindful Breaks
Dec. 3 – Center
By settling into our inner stillness, we reconnect with a natural sense of well-being. Today, we’ll move through a centering practice that guides awareness to different points in the body. This gentle, systematic attention helps us soften, relax, and return to that innate place of balance and ease.
Dec. 10 – Ground
This week we explore that centered, relaxing place within us. Our inner resource. We find that safe and reliable place where we can return again and again, no matter what is going on in our lives. Perfect for when life has gotten hectic and you need a mini-mental retreat.
Dec. 17 – Receive
So much of our lives are spent giving. But when you’re rushing around in the noise of life, what is your life trying to tell you that you might be missing? For this moment we settle into our quiet selves and receive. When we center and ground, we become open to hearing our body’s inner wisdom and our unlimited potential.
Wind Down Yoga Sessions
Unroll your mat and melt away the day!
Tuesdays, Dec. 2 and 9
5:15-6 p.m.
Skybarn (South Campus)
These after-work Wind Down Yoga sessions are the perfect reset and will be led by Sky Yoga instructors. Featuring gentle stretches, calming breathwork and soothing vibes to release tension and restore balance. This class will help you transition from hustle to harmony. Please bring your own mat*. Beginners are welcome.
Sign up for Wind Down Yoga
*Need a mat? Please contact us at wellness@syr.edu for a mat to borrow.
Winter Wellness Celebration
This winter wellness event features ice skating, creative activities, warm beverages and a special guest, Otto.
Saturday, Dec. 13
1-4 p.m.
Tennity Ice Skating Pavillion and Inn Complete (South Campus)
Ice Skating Session at the Tennity Ice Skating Pavillion provides an open skate for all, from beginners to experienced skaters. Skate rentals are available (at no charge). For children: Helmets and warm layers are recommended for your comfort and safety.
Cocoa and Crafts at the Inn Complete will feature Right Mind Syracuse who will be leading hands-on winter craft activities. Participants can create crafts to take home while enjoying a cup of hot cocoa. Our special guest, Otto, will be available from approximately 2 to 3 p.m.
This flexible format will allow participants to enjoy a mix of activities!
Please register by Dec. 4.
Quiz: Healthier Holiday Baking Quiz
This 10-question quiz assesses your understanding of evidence-based strategies for creating healthier holiday baked goods without sacrificing flavor or tradition. Perfect for home bakers, wellness enthusiasts, or anyone looking to make more mindful choices during the holiday season while still enjoying delicious treats. Time estimate: 5 to 10 minutes.
Complete the quiz by Friday, Dec. 19 for a chance to win a Holiday Baking Basket!
Take the Healthier Holiday Baking Quiz
Workshop and Webinar Lineup
Join us for workshops and webinars from experts at Carebridge, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and more! Plus, check out the “In Case You Missed It!” section below for on-demand webinars from the archive.
Presenter: Lindsey LaDue, RD, CDN, Wellbeing Engagement Consultant, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Tuesday, Dec. 2
12:30-1 p.m.
Explore your mindset around food and tune into your individual plate. Learn how to shift away from “good versus bad” food thinking, ask yourself meaningful questions and gain practical tips for building a healthier relationship with eating.
Presenter: Carebridge Expert
Thursday, Dec. 16
2 p.m.
Find out how to engage in a regular practice of gratitude to help transform your outlook on life.
Presenter: Lindsey LaDue, RD, CDN, Wellbeing Engagement Consultant, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Thursday, Dec. 18
noon-12:45 p.m.
The holidays bring celebration, busy schedules and plenty of food—often with added stress. Get tips for navigating gatherings with less stress, mindful and intuitive eating strategies and simple planning ideas to help you stay on track with your health and well-being goals.
Empathy on Empty (Source: Carebridge)
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield YouTube Page (Source: Excellus)
How to Keep Your Relationship Thriving (Source: Carebridge)
How to Support a Loved One with Mental Illness (Source: Carebridge)
Let’s Chat Immunizations (Source: Excellus)
Maximize Hours in Your Day (Source: Carebridge)
Navigating Menopause: Empowering Women Through Change (Source: Excellus)
Support for Mental Health and Substance Abuse (Source: Excellus)
Supporting a Loved One in Recovery (Source: Carebridge)
The Miracle of Movement (Source: Excellus)
The Value of Social Connections & Belonging (Source: Carebridge)
What is Self-Compassion and How Can We Practice It? (Source: Carebridge)