December 2020, Volume 3, Number 4
Upcoming Wellness Events
Date
Event
Time
Monday, January 4
Right This Weigh Challenge
In-Studio Paint Class with Hot Fired Arts
Virtual Paint Class with Hot Fired Arts
Virtual Cooking Class with The Kitchen Studio Cooking School
Get Retirement Ready by MetLife
CareFirst Wellness
The holidays can be a difficult time of the year especially this year due to added stress of COVID-19. Whether you struggle with depression, disagreements with family members, fear of missing out, or even holiday blues, there are ways to make the holidays less stressful and more enjoyable this year.
Stay positive, manage stress
Often, on our own or with the media’s help, we create unrealistic expectations. If not kept in check, holiday commitments and spending can lead to stress. Ways to manage holiday stress include:
Kids can get stressed too. Talk to your kids and include them when making holiday plans. Now is the perfect time to teach them the spirit of giving, especially since this time of year offers many ways to help those in need.
Stress, depending on the type and amount, can be healthy for us. As we move into the holiday season, it is important to identify what are positive and negative stressors in our lives. There are two different types of stress that we can experience: eustress and distress.
It is important for us to recognize what triggers our stress and what coping mechanisms work in order for us to deal with stress.
Deals4U
Looking for some great deals? Enroll in Deals4U! Deals4U is an employee discount program especially for Frederick County Public Schools employees and retirees that provides online access to discounts and deals on products and services from national, regional and local merchants. (Think Target, Peapod, Verizon, HP and more!) The Web-based program is administered by PerkSpot, a company that manages employee discount programs for a wide range of business and organizations across the country.
To take advantage of Deals4U, simply create an online account at deals4u.perkspot.com using your personal (not work) e-mail address. Then enter FCPS (if prompted for a code), and create and enter a password. You will then receive confirmation and log-in instructions. After logging in, you have access to all the discount offers available to FCPS employees. If you log in to Deals4U from your work computer, access to some vendors may be restricted for internet security reasons.
Employee News
FCPS tries to target FindOutFirst emails only to those who have signed up for particular news groups or fall in certain categories. If you would like to receive Wellness email of upcoming events/activities and information, elect to receive Wellness email through your FOF account. To accomplish this, please log in to your FOF account at www.fcps.org/fof, select Menu, select Subscriptions, select FCPS news email you'd like to receive, and then select Save.
FCPS Hike for Wellness
FCPS Wellness is hosting a DIY FCPS Hike for Wellness Challenge. The goal is for each participant to visit at least eight State Parks in the country from now until May 31, 2021 to receive a prize. There are more than 10,000 State Parks for you to explore across the country, and each one presents its own unique opportunities for experiencing nature.
Registration is not required, but registered participants will receive an FCPS Hike For Wellness logo stickers and be on an e-mail distribution list regarding future scheduled group hikes. Click here to register.
Participants must share a picture at the park location via social media with #FCPSHikeForWellness
If participants does not have social media, you can e-mail a picture to benefits.wellness@fcps.org
Photos e-mailed will then be shared on our FCPS Wellness social media
So don't be afraid to lace up your boots and grab a walking stick and a buddy or two, the opportunities and benefits of hiking are waiting for you. All you have to do is go. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu
Mid-Day Movement Breaks
Did you know that a mid-day movement break can increase mood, energy, and productivity and it can decrease stress? Consider participating in one of the scheduled virtual sessions for a mid-day movement break to enjoy a short stretch, mindful minute, and deep breathing exercise. If interested, please click here to register. Sessions will be held every weekday from Monday, September 14th to Friday, January 29th at 12pm or at 12:30pm except on days schools are closed for staff.
Painting a Path to Wellness
Nutrition and exercise seem to be the buzz words for being healthy and maintaining mental wellness. Other advice includes having a good sleep routine, practicing relaxation, and having a good social network. Are you looking for something else to add to your toolbox? Why not try the arts?
Participating in the arts can help decrease everyday stress and anxieties and increase positive emotions. And if you create art within a group setting, you can form support relationships and friendships. Creativity is increasingly being validated as a potent mind-body approach to address a a variety of challenges. Why not give it a try?
FCPS has partnered with Hot Fired Arts in offering a monthly pain classes. Click here for scheduled paint classes. Registration password is FCPS2020.
What Is Right this Weigh? Right this Weigh is a 12-week healthy weight challenge that draws on the excitement of seeing and learning about new place by tracing famous trails around the globe. Each time that you record a Right this Weigh health practice you move along the trail you've chosen. The challenge starts on Monday, January 11! You will have access to delicious recipes, inspiring articles and motivating daily emails at your fingertips! Right this Weigh is also an optional team challenge! Start thinking about a team of four to six members and a creative team name.
Challenge Registration Registration opens on Monday, January 4. Register to start practicing everyday habits that lead to a healthy weight!
Incentive Portion Control Lunch Combo Kit
Questions? Stay tuned! Staff that has elected to receive Wellness email through Employee News will receive an email on Monday, January 4 when registration opens! If you have not registered to receive Wellness email, please go to www.fcps.org/fof to elect to receive Wellness email.
Virtual Cooking Class
It's important to take good care of ourselves with healthy, filling, and easy to prepare meals. FCPS has partnered with The Kitchen Studio Cooking School in offering a monthly cooking classes. We are hosting a virtual class on Sunday, January 24th at 3pm.
What's on the menu?
Click here to register. Discount code is SUPERFCPS
Virtual Fitness Class
It's time to get back on track with your health and wellness goals by including physical activity onto your daily routine. FCPS Wellness has scheduled FREE virtual fitness classes for FCPS employees. If interested, please click on the name of the class to register. Sessions will be held from Monday, September 14th to Friday, January 29th. Virtual fitness classes will not be held on days schools are closed for staff, but classes will be recorded and are available for registered participants to access at their own convenience.
Hatha Yoga: Monday at 6:00AM-7:00AM
A gentle yoga that focuses on static poses that is to align, strengthen, and promote flexibility in the body.
Cardio Kickboxing: Monday at 4:30PM-5:30PM
This fast-paced cardio combines martial arts techniques that builds stamina, improves coordination and flexibility, and burns calories as you build lean muscle with this fun and challenging workout. This high-energy workout challenges the beginner and elite athlete alike.
Strength Training: Tuesday at 6:00AM-7:00AM
A full body workout focused on building muscular strength & endurance, cardiovascular endurance, core strength, and flexibility. With a combination of body weight, dumbbells, bands, and then some, each class will focus on a unique training approach which will challenge, engage, and inspire participants to become a better version of their current selves! Equipment is optional (other suggestions will be offered).
Zumba: Tuesday at 4:30PM-5:30PM
A fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance moves. Zumba routines incorporate interval training - alternating fast and slow rhythms - to help improve cardiovascular fitness.
Barre: Wednesday at 6:00AM-7:00AM
A workout technique inspired by elements of ballet, yoga, and Pilates. It focuses on low-impact, high-intensity movements designed to strengthen your body.
Hatha Yoga: Wednesday at 4:30PM-5:30PM
Cardio Kickboxing: Thursday at 6:00AM-7:00AM
Bang!: Thursday at 4:30PM-5:30PM
An urban-inspired mixed fitness class. A fusion of boxing, aerobics, intervals, hip hop, world dance, and body weight training - this class will take your workout to a whole new "banging" level!
Pilates: Friday at 6:00AM-7:00AM
A method of exercise that consists of low-impact flexibility and muscular strength and endurance movements. Pilates emphasizes proper postural alignment, core strength and muscle balance.
FUNctional Fitness: Friday at 4:30PM-5:30PM
A combination of high intensity cardio & strength training that is great for all fitness levels.
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The FCPS Wellness Newsletter is published monthly August-May by FCPS Human Resources, 191 S. East St., Frederick, MD 21701.
Brief information, subject to edits, and captioned photos for possible inclusion are due to Phoebe.Barreto@fcps.org by the 15th of the month. For more information: 301-644-5085.