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Faculty Wellness Week

Northwestern offers a variety of in-person and remote options to support the physical and mental health of its faculty. Many of these options are featured free of charge during Faculty Wellness Week. The next Faculty Wellness Week is planned for May 8-12, 2023. Faculty are encouraged to take advantage of the programs and discounts. 

During the 2022-2023 academic year, Faculty Wellness Week was expanded to a month-long program featuring special programming and daily wellness suggestions designed to address several dimensions of well-being, including work/life balance, family wellness and nutrition. 

Faculty Wellness Week Schedule

May 8-12, 2023

The Sandwich Generation: Resources for Childcare and Eldercare

Monday, May 8, 12-1 p.m.

Learn about resources and share strategies and experiences with your faculty colleagues on the challenges of balancing the dual role of parenting as well as eldercare. Facilitated by Angelica Viramontes, Dependent Care Specialist, HR WELL. Register online for this virtual session.

How to Create a Productive & Engaging Writing Practice

Wednesday, May 10, 9-11 a.m.

Maintaining a steady pattern of productive writing is challenging even for the most motivated writers. This workshop will cover habits and structures that will help you hold on to your identity as a researcher and writer while still balancing your internal and external responsibilities. Register online.

Building Networks of Support for a Successful Academic Career

Wednesday, May 10, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Successful researchers benefit from a robust network of connections in a variety of arenas inside and outside of academia. Advantages include opportunities for fruitful collaboration, access to information, both social and instrumental support, and the ability to build a national and international reputation. For those who network easily, this workshop will provide additional tips and strategies. For those who are "schmooze-adverse," the workshop will identify methods to build connections in ways that suit your personality and style. Register online. 

Looking 101 with The Block Museum

Thursday, May 11, 12-1:30 p.m.

Art can provide the opportunity to pause and reflect or to stimulate and surprise. There are no wrong answers in this interactive session for faculty with The Block staff designed to cultivate intellectual, social and emotional aspects of wellness. Join us for lunch, conversation and a special “close-looking” activity to improve your ability to look deeply, analyze carefully, and express ideas about works of art, and the world around you. Register online. Space is limited. 

Additional Faculty Wellness Week Offerings

Free access to the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion and all Group Exercise classes to all Northwestern faculty and their immediate family members during Faculty Wellness Week.

  • Group Exercise: Facility members have free access to a wide variety of classes each week (yoga, Pilates, BodyPump, spin, aqua fitness and more).
  • NU Faculty Memberships: If faculty decide to purchase a membership for themselves and their family members, the $100 initiation fee will be waived.
  • Facilities and Hours

Available All Year

Northwestern offers a variety of free resources throughout the year.
  • White Light Therapy: Faculty can take advantage of white light therapy in the Wellness Suite at any time.  Light therapy—exposure to artificial light—can be a safe, effective way to treat symptoms of depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), sleep disorders and mood disorders.  For more information, call 847-467-2607 or visit the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion Wellness Suite.
  • Virtual Well-Being Breaks: Join daily 15- or 30-minute well-being breaks from your office or home. Check the daily schedule for a variety of virtual offerings, including stretch, yoga, cardio kickboxing, Pilates, Latin dance and core conditioning.
  • On-Demand Virtual Exercise Classes: Northwestern Recreation offers on-demand exercise classes, available any time that is convenient for you. Classes are 30 to 60 minutes and include Bodypump, yoga, Zumba and more.