EAP NEWS - State University of New York · life balance. Work-Life alance: Try This Photo: Kathy...

EAP NEWS UAlbany Employees’ Link to Resources for Health & Well-Being

Conflicts can be costly in

time, energy, and produc-

tivity. You can’t eliminate

them, but you can create

workplace communication

and team traditions to

intervene with conflicts

sooner. The key is spotting

conflicts in their initial

stages of workplace ten-

sion. For example, a

co-worker on your team

comes to work late, causing

others to pick up the slack.

Often, employees cope and adapt, and tolerate such

behaviors; however, resentments build, and a crisis

erupts. Create opportunities to regularly communicate,

perhaps at the end of meetings, to offer each other

praise and social reinforcement and to discuss any work-

place tensions. Doing so will reinforce a positive work-

place, grow value within your relationships, capitalize on

the power of peer influence, and allow you to feel happi-

er in your job. Tensions may become smaller and fewer

over time but keep the tradition.

Be a Pro at Defusing Workplace Tension

With all there is to do in our lives, it’s easy to get on auto-

pilot and lose track of work-life balance. This is normal,

but relief comes with the habit of periodically ask your-

self the following:

Am I using my time effectively in this task, or could I

make changes to be more efficient?

Can I delegate this task? (For example, could I hire

someone to rake the leaves and use the time for

another purpose?)

Am I using my time for my life’s priorities, or am I

filling time with tasks that are less important?

Am I consciously planning my time with my family

and loved ones or just letting the next event happen,

whenever that might occur?

Asking these questions triggers you to hit a “reset

button” in your mind and helps you achieve better work-

life balance.

Work-Life Balance: Try This

Photo: Kathy Zazarine

J U N E 2 0 1 9

Source for Articles: Frontline—Employee Wellness, Productivity & You! Frontline

newsletter is courtesy of the New York State Employee Assistance Program.

“Balance is not better time management but better boundary management. Balance means making choices and

enjoying those choices.”

~ Betsy Jacobson

E M P L O Y E E A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M N E W S L E T T E R

According to the Anxiety and

Depression Association of America, 56% of employees say stress and anxiety impact

their work performance and personal life. Worrying may be the single most costly per-

sonal and business problem in existence, yet finding relief from it can feel so elusive.

When you worry, your mind becomes stuck in a cycle of stress as it tries to analyze, fend

off, or find a solution for some threat to prevent its negative effect. When fears are

vague, and you don’t have all the information, exaggerated worries mount. Rather than

suffer in this cycle, contact UAlbany EAP Coordinator Brenda Seckerson or a professional

counselor and find the relief your mind is failing to deliver.

Visualizing Success Visualization, also called mental imagery or guided

imagery, is a powerful tool for boosting performance.

Visualization involves mentally picturing the results

you hope to achieve. Athletes often use this technique in training and before competition.

Here’s how to do it:

Set a goal. Think of something you want to achieve — such as run a faster mile, make a successful presentation,

start a new project, have a difficult conversation, or complete a tough task at work.

See yourself. Picture yourself performing the action and completing the goal. Use all your senses to visualize it in

detail. How do you feel? What does success look like? What steps do you take?

Practice. Find a quiet space for a few minutes each day, close your eyes and visualize yourself achieving a goal,

surmounting an obstacle or making a positive change.

What it does:

Calms the mind so you relax and let go of stress

Quiets negative self-talk and puts you in a more positive mindset

Helps you to believe you can achieve your goal

Improves focus, assertiveness and self-esteem

Enhances self-awareness and intuition, which can help you achieve more and make better decisions

Envision yourself as successful, and top performance is sure to follow. You can do it!

Worrying on the Clock

Source: Frontline—Employee Wellness, Productivity & You! Frontline newsletter is courtesy of the New York State Employee Assistance Program.

A recent AARP survey found that 57% of Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964)

surveyed said they travel to spend time with family and friends. Relaxation and rejuvenation

motivate 49%, while 47% hit the road to escape from their normal daily lives. There’s a lot to

be said for giving yourself mental time and space to decompress completely from

professional responsibility. This summer, discover what it feels like to unplug!

Source: Personal Best, a registered trademark of Ebix. (June 2018) TP Top Performance.


Have Less Concern About Child Care Entrusting a child to a child care center for the first time produces feelings of appre-

hension. You want your child to have a healthy and secure experience so you can

focus on work, free of worrisome thoughts about your child throughout the day. Visit

https://goer.ny.gov/network-child-care-centers for more information about the NYS

Network Child Care Centers including what to look for in a child care program.

Also visit www.ocfs.ny.gov for checklists of important information to look for during your visit. These resources will

help you evaluate child care issues quickly and ask the right questions. Knowledge is power, and you’ll have it with

these resources. Along with it will come the peace of mind every new parent deserves.

Summer vacation is a fun and exciting time for children. If summer camp is included in your plans, starting your search

early can help you find the perfect camp for your child. The best place to start the process is to call the Capital District

Child Care Council (CDCCC) at 518-426-7181. CDCCC Parent Educators can suggest a variety of area camps, high-

lighting the types of programs offered, fees, and hours of operation. If age appropriate, parents should try to involve

their children in the decision-making process as much as possible. Choosing the right camp can provide a fun-filled and

enriching experience for your child!

The Capital District Child Care Council publishes an annual summer camp catalog. The 2019 camp catalog is now

available. To request a copy, click here.

Is a Family Member Mentally Ill?


As symptoms of mental illness appear, family members often experience denial as they

seek to cope with confusing or frightening behaviors, especially those associated with

bipolar disorders and schizophrenia. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Reach

out for support when you see any of the following: confused thinking; prolonged

depression (sadness or irritability); feelings of extreme highs and lows; excessive fears,

worries and anxieties; severe social withdrawal; dramatic changes in eating or sleeping

habits; unusually strong feelings of anger; strange thoughts (delusions); seeing or

hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations); growing inability to cope with daily

problems; or suicidal statements. Seek guidance from a professional counselor,

medical doctor, or contact UAlbany EAP Coordinator Brenda Seckerson. Learn more at https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/improving-care.


https://goer.ny.gov/network-child-care-centers

http://www.ocfs.ny.gov

http://www.cdcccc.org/page/request-a-summer-camp-catalog-74.html?utm_campaign=&utm_content=Your+Chance+to+Participate+in+the+NYS+Pyramid+Model+is+Here&utm_medium=email&utm_source=getresponse


Signs an Alcohol Use Assessment is Needed

Tens of millions of people suffer from allergies because their immune systems are overly

sensitive to pollen, dust mites, foods, or other allergens. The good news is that a combi-

nation of awareness, prevention, and treatment can help you enjoy life more fully. Here

are five prevention tips:

Understanding Allergies: How to Prevent Them, How to Get Relief

Not all early-stage signs and symptoms of alcoholism are distressful or problematic to

the drinker. Some may be erroneously viewed as evidence to self and others that

“everything is fine.” Consider arranging an interview/assessment with a professional

counselor if any of the following are part of your experience:

You feel fortunate that you can drink more than your friends and “not feel drunk.”

This is explained by growing nervous system adaptation to alcohol.

You believe you can drive a vehicle safely, even after moderately heavy drinking.

(Note: You can’t.)

Despite drinking the same amount as your friends, you rarely suffer hangovers or

ill effects.

Your friends drink as much and as frequently as you do, which convinces you that

your drinking is normal.

You are sure alcoholism is not an issue because there are many symptoms you do not experience that you believe

would be evident. This is based upon your life and family experience with others who had alcohol disorders, while

other symptoms are ignored.

Contact UAlbany EAP Coordinator Brenda Seckerson for confidential information, assessment, and referrals if you are

concerned about your use of alcohol or that of a loved one’s. 518-442-5483 [email protected]


Clean house. Thoroughly clean air-conditioning vents and ducts to help reduce

allergens. Bleach moldy surfaces and fix water leaks. If cleaning triggers your allergies, get

some help with chores, or at the very least, wear a face mask while cleaning.

Note the pollen counts. Check weather reports and stay indoors more when counts

are high. Also, keep windows closed. Using a dehumidifier to reduce indoor humidity can

help too.

Launder well. Wash bedding weekly in water that is hotter than 130˚F. Dry clothes in a dryer rather than

outside.

Practice pet control. Keep pets off furniture and out of your bedroom.

Wash away. Wash hands frequently to remove allergens such as pollen. Shower before bed to reduce transfer of

allergens to bedding.

Source: Oakstone Publishing, LLC, dba Personal Best. (2012) Understanding Allergies: How to Prevent Them, How to Get Relief [brochure].

mailto:[email protected]

J U N E 2 0 1 9

Summer Reading: Check Out the EAP Lending Library With the summer months ahead, hopefully you will find some extra time

to relax and do some reading. If you still enjoy the pleasure of picking up a

good book instead of a Kindle or other device, then the EAP Lending Li-

brary is a great place to explore titles related to personal health and

well-being, not to mention resources related to your work life.

These, along with many other popular books, are available to sign out. See

if any of these titles spark your interest:

Creative Journal Writing

Live Well on Less Than You Think

Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together

Awakening from Grief

The Wisdom of Menopause

The Four Agreements

Living the Simple Life: A Guide to Scaling Down and Enjoying More

Anxiety Happens: 52 Ways to Find Peace of Mind

When Depression Hurts Your Relationship

Straight Parents, Gay Children: Keeping Families Together

The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children

Can Succeed

How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare

Your Kid for Success

The Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work

How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free: Retirement Wisdom That You Won’t

Get From your Financial Advisor

30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans

The Gifts of Imperfection

Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Undoing Perpetual Stress

Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People

Simplify Your Work Life

Good Boss, Bad Boss

“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.”

~ Franz Kafka

Visit the Library page on the EAP

website for a full list of topics, books,

and DVDs/CDs that the EAP Lending

Library has available. Contact EAP if

you would like to borrow

any materials.

[email protected]

http://www.albany.edu/eap/eap_library.htm



Are you finding yourself struggling with any of

the following?

Family, parenting, and relationship issues

Work stress and conflict

Substance abuse or dependency

Elder care

Mental health concerns (e.g., depression, anxiety)

Legal and/or financial concerns

Grief and loss

Or anything else related to work or home that is causing you undue stress and affecting your ability to

be as productive as you once were?

You don’t have to deal with it alone. Support is available through UAlbany’s Employee Assistance

Program (EAP). The mission of UAlbany EAP is to provide services to support a healthy, productive work-

force. Available to all employees is the voluntary, confidential Information, Assessment, and

Referral Service provided by UAlbany EAP Coordinator, Brenda Seckerson. Take advantage of this

confidential assistance available to you as an employee benefit.

Confidential support, information, and

referrals are available through EAP to assist

you in finding a way to address your concerns.

Early intervention is the key! Contact EAP.

Employee Assistance Program-sponsored events and services are open to UAlbany and Research Foundation faculty, staff, family members, UAS employees, GSEU

members and retirees.

To schedule an appointment for a

confidential Information, Assessment &

Referral session, contact:

Brenda Seckerson, EAP Coordinator

518-442-5483

[email protected]

EAP Website: http://www.albany.edu/eap

“Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that’s

the one that is going to help you grow.” ~Caroline Myss

http://rightdirectionforme.com/index.html

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-attacks-and-anxiety-disorders.htm

http://www.albany.edu/eap/personal_assessment_referral.htm

http://www.albany.edu/eap/personal_assessment_referral.htm


http://www.albany.edu/eap/

J U N E 2 0 1 9

Source: Personal Best®, a registered trademark of Ebix Inc. Printed with permission.


There’s no magic number when it comes to how many hours you should sleep. Some people require a lot of sleep to feel their best, while others need less. Most of us, however, need somewhere between seven and nine hours of sleep. In fact, studies show that regularly getting less than seven hours of sleep can have an adverse effect on your health and mental abilities.

So, if you think you can skimp on sleep and be just fine, think again. Here are 10 problems caused by chronic lack of sleep:

10 Surprising Signs of Sleepiness

If you turn to social media sites when you’re feeling generally isolated by shiftwork, tread carefully. Some studies show that checking social media frequently and viewing photos and updates of the exciting, happy lives of others can create feelings of inadequacy and sadness. Use social media to stay in touch, but strive for balance between screen time and real life. Remember, too, that what you see online doesn’t always tell the whole story!

Source for Articles: Personal Best®, a registered trademark of Ebix Inc. (2019). SW ShiftWorker .

Slowed moving

Unclear thinking

Trouble making decisions

Memory loss

Mistakes

Near misses when you are driving

Irritability, impatience, anxiety

Raised risk of heart problems (high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, etc.)

Weight gain

Health problems (indigestion, depression, stress issues, frequent colds, weight gain)

What to do:

• Create a peaceful, dark, cool sleeping environment.

• Put sleep at the top of your list of com-mitments.

• Communicate sleep needs to friends and family.

• If you can’t sleep for seven to nine straight hours, take naps.

• Find soothing before-bed activities, such as reading, listening to music, meditating, or a warm bath.

The more hours of sleep debt you accrue, the worse you are going to feel. After a while, it will take a toll on your physical and mental health. Start today building a sleep routine that works so you can log more hours of shut-eye.

Social Media and Sadness


Healthy Trade-offs

“Put blinders on to those things that conspire to hold you back,

especially the ones in your own head.”

~ Meryl Streep

Thinking about giving up bad habits or making healthy lifestyle changes can be

intimidating. Take it one step at a time and try small, healthy trade-offs, i.e., swapping

one unhealthy habit or behavior for a better one, to become healthier one step at a

time. Try these ideas:

Replace the habit with something you enjoy. For example, if you’re trying to quit

smoking, chew sugarless gum or eat a carrot stick every time you feel the urge. If

you’re trying to give up soft drinks, replace them with water or herbal tea.

Focus on what you can have, instead of what you can’t. For example, if you’re trying

to change your diet, the American Heart Association suggests listing the high-fat or high-sugar foods you don’t want to

give up. Then, decide on what you must do to still enjoy those foods while improving your eating habits. For example,

if you choose ice cream, you might decide to eat a smaller portion less often or cut back on calories at another meal to

allow for it.

Create a ritual. An engrossing activity you do every day can re-channel your energy and thoughts. For example, take

up running, walking or gardening—anything that takes your mind off your old, unhealthy activity is worth the effort.

Source: Personal Best®, a registered trademark of Ebix Inc.. ( February 2019). TP Top Safety.

Quit/Craving Kits Available from EAP

If you are quitting smoking or trying to limit the amount of

cigarettes each day, contact EAP to receive a “Quit/Craving Kit” to support your efforts.

NOTE: The kits do not contain

nicotine replacement therapies (NRT); however, they do

contain other helpful items and information

to make those cravings subside.

[email protected] 518.442.5483



June 6 is National Gardening Exercise Day? Who knew that there was a National Gardening Exercise Day? Gardening

provides an array of health benefits. It can help reduce stress, build muscles,

and burn some calories, too! This outdoor activity can be a physical workout

at times, so be sure to do some stretching before, during, and after. The

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider gardening a moderate intensity level activity that can help reduce

the risk for such conditions as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and depression.

Gardening can bring many moments of joy as you watch what you’ve planted grow. Witnessing hummingbirds and

butterflies partake of all that is blossoming is a delightful sight. Growing plants that support their visits along with visits

from bees helps the pollination process which is vital to our environment and ecosystem. And if you planted

vegetables, you will be eating healthy, homegrown food to support your well-being. That’s a plus, too!

If you’d like to draw more hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden, here are some tips from Rensselaer County

Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Pat Thorne who spoke to the Health Sciences Campus employees in

May at an EAP Lunchtime Wellness Program.

Native plants to attract hummingbirds include:

Wild Columbine

Coral Bells

Butterfly Weed

Bee Balm

Garden Phlox

Container Gardens: begonia, fuchsia, zinnia, impatiens, browallia

Plants to attract butterflies include:

Asters

Black-eyed Susans

Butterfly Bush

Chives

Clover—red and white

Coneflowers

Cosmos

Daisies

Dandelions

Lavender

Milkweed

Phlox

Salvias

Zinnia

Hummingbird Feeders:

Feeders should have some red on

them as the color is a hummingbird

favorite.

NOTE: Bees are attracted to yellow.

Some hummingbird feeders have

yellow on them.

Choose feeders that are easy to

open and clean and can hold one

cup of sugar solution.

Mix your own sugar solution and

avoid the premixed ones which

contain red dye. This dye is toxic

for the hummingbirds.

Sugar solution: 1/4 cup granulated

cane sugar in 1 cup of distilled

water. Do not use honey, or raw/

organic sugar as these foster

bacterial and fungal growth and

ferment faster.

If you have gardening questions, contact

the Albany County Cornell Cooperative

Extension Master Gardeners.

518-765-3514

[email protected]

http://albany.cce.cornell.edu/gardening

Photo: Kathy Zazarine

https://www.cdc.gov/family/gardening/index.htm


http://albany.cce.cornell.edu/gardening

To Register Contact: Brenda Seckerson, EAP Coordinator

[email protected]

Call 442-5483 or register online


EAP LUNCHTIME WELLNESS PROGRAM

Health

Sciences

Campus

Quick and Easy

Meal Ideas

Tuesday, June 18

12 noon - 1:00 pm

Room 110A

School of Public Health

Think you don’t have time to

prepare a healthy meal? This program

will provide practical solutions for

overcoming the barriers that may be

preventing you from cooking meals at

home. Participants will leave this class

with shopping tips, healthy recipes,

and a list of essential foods to keep

your kitchen stocked!

Presenter:

Patty Delmonico Schardt, MSRD http://www.albany.edu/eap/event_sign-up.htm


http://www.albany.edu/eap/event_sign-up.htm


The Butt Stops Here© is an award-winning program that has helped thousands to

stop smoking! The program consists of six one-hour sessions and includes a

workbook and two weeks of nicotine patches or gum. The program provides

group support and is led by facilitator trained by St. Peter’s Health Partners.

Wednesdays, June 19—July 31, 2019

Noon—1:00 pm*

Room 370, Campus Center

*NOTE: No session on July 17

RELEASE TIME: If you are interested

in attending this program, you may

request from your supervisor release

time to extend your lunch break to

participate.

Participant Program Fee:

$45.00 due at first session

CDPHP Members—Bring your

insurance card to the first session.

Program fee is covered by CDPHP. To Register Contact:

Brenda Seckerson, EAP Coordinator [email protected]

Call 442-5483 or register online


Want more support?

Call the NYS Smokers’ Quitline 1-866-NY-QUITS (697-8487)

The NYS Smokers’ Quitline provides free counseling. Most people are eligible to

receive nicotine patches.

EAP Lunchtime Wellness Program




SUNY Employee Discount Programs Available*

It’s spring cleaning time. As you go through your closets to declutter and de-stress from having too much stuff, think

about donating your clean, gently used professional clothing to UAlbany’s Purple Threads closet. It’s a great way to

support our students to feel confident when going on job interviews and for those first days on the job as a UAlbany

graduate and newly hired employee.

All students are eligible to “shop” the closet for free and take three items per semester. Donations are accepted year

round. In addition to professional clothing, accessories and shoes are also accepted.

Donation drop off locations:

Campus Center Connections—Campus Center, 1st floor off of the main lobby during Campus Center hours

Community and Public Service Office—Social Services building, room 112 (Monday—Friday, 8:30 am—4:30 pm)

Alumni Association House

Watch for notices about special collection drives! For questions, send your email to: [email protected]

For more details about Purple Threads, go to: https://www.albany.edu/studentaffairs/purplethreads.shtml

SUNY provides comprehensive employee benefit programs designed to help keep our faculty and staff and their

families healthy, safe, happy, and productive. The programs also include a variety of components to help SUNY employ-

ees improve the quality and balance of their work and family lives, and to help them prepare for their future.

Members of the SUNY family may be eligible for group discounts and offers from a variety of vendors, merchants, and

providers. Programs include Perks at Work, Perks, Plum Benefits, and My Better Benefits.

For more information on the discount program, go to: https://www.suny.edu/benefits/employee-discounts/

*Please note that SUNY does not endorse, support, or benefit from any of the programs or offers listed, and that this information is provided strictly for your information and further exploration. You should carefully review and research any programs or offers before enrolling or providing any personal information. Only representatives from each program, vendor, or merchant are knowledgeable and experienced enough to address your questions or to assist you with their respective programs.


https://www.albany.edu/studentaffairs/purplethreads.shtml

https://www.suny.edu/benefits/employee-discounts/

EAP-sponsored events and services are

open to UAlbany & Research Foundation

faculty, staff, family members, UAS

employees, retirees and GSEU members.

UAlbany EAP E-News

June 2019

Publisher/Contributor

Brenda Seckerson

Contributing Sources

Frontline—Employee Wellness,

Productivity & You!

Personal Best Publications

Copy Editors

Joanne Bocchino

Kathy Gurney

Merissa Mabee

Clipart/Photos

Freestockphotos.biz

Frontline Newsletter

Personal Best Publications

Publicdomainpictures.net

Kathy Zazarine

EAP website:

http://www.albany.edu/eap


Disclaimer: Material presented

in this newsletter is intended for

educational or informational

purposes only. It is not intended

to replace the advice of a quali-

fied health professional.

EAP is a joint labor/management program and is part of the NYS Employee Assistance Program. Contact Info: 10B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235 ~ 518.486.9769

Here’s another great recipe using

yogurt . This one is from Medline Plus and

U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Make this overnight oatmeal recipe ahead

of time for a healthy breakfast on busy

mornings. Combine oats, yogurt, milk, and

your favorite fruit. No cooking required,

just refrigerate overnight! Go to: https://medlineplus.gov/recipes/overnight-

oatmeal/

Overnight Oatmeal

http://www.albany.edu/eap/

https://medlineplus.gov/recipes/overnight-oatmeal/

https://medlineplus.gov/recipes/overnight-oatmeal/

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