Health & Wellness

We are happy to introduce ‘Wellness Hour’ Monday-Thursday at 3PM PST/6PM EST. Monday and Wednesday, we will host a guided happy hour on Zoom for anyone that would like to attend, Tuesday and Thursday we will go live on our Instagram with professional therapists Erin Nes and Becky White, answering your questions on getting through this difficult time.

More Health & Wellness Resources

Career Survey Through Columbia Business School

“Creative solutions come at drastic times if you open your mind to the possibilities. Free yourself to take a chance!” – Julieanne O’Connor

Please spend 5 minutes to share with us your career aspirations through this survey. We are working on a set of resources to help make your career development goals actionable.

Currently only in English.

Survey link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Y-kB3HyafzwTNBQ9KU-pYT1lIRuNnlQhcXLcyFcIguE/viewform?edit_requested=true

Community & Groups

Exercise / Movement

Financial Support

Food

Healthcare

Learning & Education

Meditation Resources

There are a huge variety of ways to quiet your thoughts and become present. Below are a number of free apps worth exploring no matter your level of experience. A lot of research shows that meditation does not only take place from sitting still- there are a number of benefits from free form dancing, painting, coloring and other activities that allow you to clear your head! Below are some websites for digital coloring books to focus your concentration.

Moderating News Intake

The media right now is contributing to a lot of anxiety so consider a daily digest of news such as one of the below. Be mindful of how much and what kind of news you take in and limit your consumption particularly at night before bed.

Also balance your news with all the good stories of things happening. The coronavirus pandemic has driven interest in uplifting headlines way, way up.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/style/good-news-coronavirus.html

 

Some favorites worth checking out…

Mental Health Resources

Online Professional Therapy Resources

  • Teladoc (telehealth therapy & psychiatry with licensed providers, in-network with CU Gold, all telehealth visits currently covered through June 4 with $0 co-pay)
  • Amwell (telehealth therapy available with licensed providers for $99 or less per visit, accepts some insurances)
  • Talkspace (subscription telehealth therapy with licensed providers for $260-396/month)
  • BetterHelp (subscription telehealth therapy with licensed providers for $160-280/month)
  • Top 10 Online therapy outlets

Relationships & Sexual Health

Sleep

Sleep is critical to physical health and effective functioning of the immune system. It’s also a key promoter of emotional wellness and mental health, helping to beat back stress, depression, and anxiety. The Sleep Foundation has released guidelines to sleep during COVID-19 to support mental and physical wellness as well as some recommendations for better sleep hygiene.

Stress / Anxiety / Depression Resources

CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC)

With fear, anxiety and other strong emotions being normal during a crisis, the CDC has shared general guidance on how to cope with stress, along with specific information on job-related stress and building your resilience. As part of their recommendations, they shared the following important pointers:

  1. Take breaks from the news, including on social media.
  2. Take care of your body with healthy meals, exercise and deep breathing techniques.
  3. Take time to relax and do at-home activities you enjoy.
  4. Connect with your loved ones.

 

UNITEDHEALTHCARE

Download the free Sanvello App to receive on-demand help and management tactics related to stress, anxiety and depression. Answer a few short questions and the app provides you with guided meditations, mood-enhancing playlists, and assistance in setting goals according to your mental health needs. You can also access resources focused on confidence building, increasing your mindfulness and dealing with anxiety.

LINKEDIN LEARNING

Stress is the gap between demand and capacity – but can take a toll on us emotionally and physically. Take a course on Managing Stress, learning at your own pace with the option to start and stop the course as needed.

Student, Parent & Families

Substance Abuse

Coronavirus could be a unique opportunity for you to start treatment. If your job, classes, and social life have held you back from getting help, why not give rehab a chance during this time of isolation? With just 30 days at a professional rehab center, you can get clean and sober, start therapy, join a support group, and learn ways to manage your cravings. Visit www.RehabSpot.com/Treatment to learn more.

10 Best Free Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers: https://www.addictionresource.net/free-rehab-centers/

Sustainability

Here are some suggestions to keep sustainable habits during the emergency (Provided by Smiley Court).

 

  1. Tap water is and will remain safe. No need to buy plastic bottles! Use Brita filters or find water filling stations at local parks and gyms.

 

  1. Find a farmer’s market or list of farmers near you.

 

  1. More soap helps, more water doesn’t. The most sustainable soaps are soap bars. They are normally plastic free and they work perfectly.

 

  1. Hand sanitizers can be an alternative when you don’t have access to water and soap (even if water and soap are preferable) but they are scarce at the moment. If you want to make your own hand sanitizer, you can find an easy suggestion here: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-make-handsanitizer#how-to-make

 

  1. The Eco-cycle is still open, so recycling and composting are still important ways to divert waste from landfill. You can find a wonderful video tutorial on how to recycle here: https://bouldercolorado.gov/zero-waste/what-goes-where. If you have any question about recycling or composting, don’t hesitate to ask to the sustainability liaison ( GFHSustainability@ colorado.edu )!

 

  1. If you want to avoid public transport currently, biking is a safe and sustainable alternative!

Technology

  • Comcast Internet Essentials (free access to Internet for 60 days for low-income families)
  • Xfinity WiFi Hotspots (available to anyone across U.S. for free)
    • Map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots
  • Stay in & Sling (offering thousands of free shows/movies)

Therapy / Coaching / Support Groups

We all have times in our lives when we need professional support to help us heal and process our emotions and thoughts. There are many resources out there for individual and group support available remotely. If you have health insurance, always check to see what is available through your provider as most therapists are offering remote services.

  • Crisis Text Line24/7 support (free)
  • TalkSpace is offering many free and discounted resources from support groups to frequently asked questions, as well as one-on-one therapy with a licensed professional through a secure app.
  • BetterHelp also offers one-on-one or couples therapy through an app with unlimited access to a licenses professional counselor for a weekly fee.
  • Free Coaching from Coach Aid
  • Shine has lots of great articles and an “Ask an Expert” section for mental health questions

Virtual Entertainment

Volunteer / Donate

Wellness Apps

  • (Listed apps are free for Apple & Android, and are not affiliated with CAPS programming)
    • Specialized Support
      • eMoods Bipolar tracker
      • nOCD tools
      • Self-Help Anxiety Management
      • SoberTool Recovery
      • UpliftNow – Grief & Loss
      • RR Eating Disorder Management
      • Calm Harm – decrease self harm
    • Stress & Mood Management
      • ACT Coach skills
      • Mindshift CBT tools
      • Virtual Hope Box
      • What’s Up coping tools
      • Woebot situation guidance
    • Rest & Relaxation
      • Breathe2Relax
      • CBT-I Coach for insomnia
      • Insight Timer Meditation
      • Mindfulness Coach
      • Stop, Breathe, Think
    • Academic Success
      • Brain Focus – Productivity
      • MyHomework – Planner
      • StickK – Commitment