Employee Whole Health

Employee Whole Health Monthly Highlights

December - Spirit and Soul

Spirituality can give your life meaning and purpose by connecting your mind and body with something greater than yourself! Spirituality is unique to each person and can contribute to improved physical and mental health. Specifically, research has found that spirituality may support lower rates of depression and anxiety, can offer a sense of control or boost feelings of security, and it is positively related to life satisfaction, self-esteem, and meaning in life. 

Ideas to enhance your spiritual practice may include prayer, reading sacred writings or going to a religious service. It may also include spending time in nature. A gratitude or self-compassion practice can also be a way to expand growth in this area of your life.

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!

Employee Yoga

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. 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 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