Employee Whole Health Monthly Highlights

Move with Heart

Need some extra motivation to get moving? This month, we are focusing on improving Heart Health by encouraging you to enroll in the Move with Heart Program through the Wellbeats platform! This 4-week program includes 3 classes per week focused on elevating your heart rate, relieving stress, and boosting your mood. Classes are instructed by our top trainers to encourage and motivate you every step of the way. Rotate through a combination of cardio, strength training, and yoga - all just 30 minutes or less! Minimal equipment needed (yoga mat/block is optional).

Not quite what you're looking for? Log in to Wellbeats by clicking here to access over 1,000+ fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes for all ages, levels, abilities, and interests. Whether you’re an expert at yoga or new to running, looking for ways to eat healthy or only have 5 minutes to unwind, Wellbeats is for everyone.

If you have log in difficulties, please reach out to vhaekhwholehealthconsultants@va.gov for assistance.

Employee Whole Health Day - April 14, 2023

The National office for Employee Whole Health wants to routinely honor and celebrate you as a VA employee! Our next Employee Whole Health Day is scheduled for Friday, April 14th! On this day you will have three opportunities to participate in a 15-minute guided imagery practice to help reduce tension and instill relaxation. Be on the lookout for a Microsoft Teams link to join this opportunity!

Begin Your Personal Journey Today

The Personal Health Inventory is a tool created to walk you through the Circle of Health and assist you in identifying your mission, aspiration, and purpose (MAP).  Once your MAP is clearly identified, you can use this tool to help evaluate where you are and where you'd like to be in your health and wellbeing journey, and consider how your personal goals might best align with the things you value most. Download the file below to get started!

Health Coaching for Employees

Are you ready to prioritize your health and wellbeing, but not sure where to start? VA Eastern Kansas is proud to offer you individualized health coaching to get you from where you are to where you want to be. Our coaches will work with your schedule to find a convenient time to provide accountability, identify proactive goals, and help problem-solve barriers. Coaching can be offered virtually to all staff or face-to-face on the Topeka and Leavenworth campuses. Simply email vhaekhwholehealthconsultants@va.gov to get started!

VAEK Employee Whole Health Classes

Whole Health For You and Me

Whole Health For You and Me is designed to explore Whole Health and consider meaningful ways to improve your health and well-being! The goal of this class is to help you identify your mission, aspiration, and purpose, and understand how you can make changes in your life that help you work towards achieving your personal goals. This class consists of (4) 1 hour weekly sessions over the course of a month and you can earn continuing education credits for your participation!

Whole Health Coaching Skills for Clinicians

Whole Health Coaching for Clinicians occurs in 2 hour segments over a 4-week period and is designed to be highly experiential, with an emphasis on taking coaching skills back to your clinical practice. The focus of this virtual course is on meeting Veterans where they are in readiness for change, providing information in a Veteran-centered fashion ( a ‘coach’ approach), and supporting actionable steps toward improving their health and wellbeing. 

VISN 15 Offerings

Click on the link to explore whole health classes that allow you to engage and learn with your peers from other organizations throughout our VISN. Through these courses, you'll have the opportunity to learn about and explore your own Whole Health as well as how Whole Health fits within your clinical or work practice!

Staff Education (sharepoint.com)

National Offerings

Explore whole health classes that allow you to engage and learn with your peers from other organizations throughout the country. You'll have the opportunity to learn anything from Eating for Whole Health, to Empowering and Equipping staff, to using Whole Health principles to Lead Change in your organization! Click the link below to see all learning options available to you.

Whole Health Education Site (sharepoint.com)

Employee Activity Committee

Valentine's Day Carnations

The Employee Activity Committee at VA Eastern Kansas is designed to create fun opportunities to connect colleagues and increase employee engagement. This month, you have the opportunity to show appreciation to a colleague by purchasing a carnation! You can purchase one flower for $3 or four flowers for $10. Orders can be placed through February 10th and carnations will be delivered on February 14th. Please send your name and the recipients name/location to TOPEAC@va.gov. You can also use this email address to arrange payment.

Facility Resources

CSA Membership

As a VAEK Employee, you have the opportunity to join a Veteran-owned CSA that will deliver goods directly to our Leavenworth, Topeka, and Lawrence CBOC facilities during the work day! Schenker Family Farms partners with multiple farms in the area to bring you fresh vegetables along with eggs, fresh farm meats, baked goods, and freezer meals. To learn more information and enroll, click on the flyer below.

Employee Whole Health Relaxation Rooms

In the midst of a busy work day, please remember that YOU matter! Our Employee Whole Health Relaxation Rooms are designed to give you protected space away from your duty station to engage in a mindful moment and rejuvenate. In these rooms, please enjoy the use of massage chairs, essential oils, yoga mats, exercise bands, and more! Relaxation rooms can be found in the following locations:

Topeka: Building 2, Room A2; Building 1, C519, G1 Key

Leavenworth: Building B, Room B111; Building 122, Room 240, any VA key will give you access

Employee Gym

Pursue your health and physical fitness goals by utilizing the VAEK 24-hour employee fitness center! Enjoy the use of our cardio equipment, free weights, circuit machines, and resistance trainings. If you'd like to gain access to the employee gym, please email vhaekhwholehealthconsultants@va.gov to get started. Employee Fitness Centers are located at the following locations:

Topeka: Building 3, Ground floor at the end of the hall

Leavenworth: Building 71, A150