New from Finance Matters

Our world is busy -- we multi-task, we worry, we try to achieve balance.  It can be easy to think that contemplation and mindfulness might involve too much time and effort for us to fit into our lives. We may think don't have time to learn another new thing or take up a new practice.

Yet, our brains are very flexible. 

Did you know that there are steps you can take every day to train your brain to focus, to get better command of your mental resources, and generally gain a sense of calm?  

In this series of podcasts, we explore concepts of mental well-being and the connections to our physical and emotional health, as well as our productivity and happiness. 

In these episodes, UVA experts give very practical tips that are easy to incorporate into your day to day life -- tips that will help you flourish as a whole person. 

See all the podcasts after the jump! 

The Power of Contemplation

We're taking Finance Matters on the road today to the Contemplative Sciences Center, where we visit with Executive Director David Germano. Our conversation this week is about contemplation: how to pause, reflect, and stay fully aware in the hectic lives we lead. If you're interested in building resilience, responding better to change, and generally flourishing, please take a listen!

LISTEN HERE

Visit the Contemplative Sciences Center website to learn more.
Learn more about David Germano: https://www.uvacontemplation.org/content/david-germano

A Re-Introduction to FEAP (series 1 of 3)

You've heard of the Faculty and Employee Assistance Program (FEAP) and you may even think you know what they do. On today's pod, we visit with Brenda Wilson, FEAP's Director, and she shares information about the program that might surprise you, and also shares why you might seek them out during times of organizational change. Part one of a three-part series with FEAP experts. 

LISTEN HERE

Resources mentioned:
FEAP Website: https://www.medicalcenter.virginia.edu/feap

Mindfulness and Resilience (series 2 of 3)

Individuals with a higher level of mindfulness have greater resilience, which increases their life satisfaction. Well, that sounds great, doesn't it? But how do we become more mindful, and thereby more resilient? Anna Delong is our guest on part two of a three-part series exploring FEAP, the services offered by its experts, and the very practical steps we can all take to become more whole and healthy. 

Click image for a larger
view of Anna's "Real Life
Mindfulness Practice" 

LISTEN HERE  

Resources mentioned:
FEAP Website: https://www.medicalcenter.virginia.edu/feap
Resources for Mindfulness: https://www.medicalcenter.virginia.edu/feap/counseling-services/mindfulness
UVA Mindfulness Center: https://med.virginia.edu/mindfulness-center/

Work-Life Balance (series 3 of 3)

It's not really possible to separate our work life and our home life -- our lives are busy, complex, stressful . . . and impossible to compartmentalize. In part three of our three-part series with experts from FEAP, Mary Sherman talks us through how to achieve better work/life integration, and thus have a more harmonious, purposeful life. 

LISTEN HERE  

Resources mentioned:
FEAP Website: https://www.medicalcenter.virginia.edu/feap
Resources on Positive Psychology: https://www.medicalcenter.virginia.edu/feap/counseling-services/positive-psychology
Character.org
Free Meyers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator: https://psychcentral.com/quizzes/personality/start.php
Free DISC Personality Quiz: https://www.123test.com/disc-personality-test/