The heart of the matter: understanding heart health and nutrition In the realm of well-being, few topics are as vital as heart health. The heart, that tireless organ pumping life throughout our bodies, deserves our utmost care and attention. But how do we support its well-being? We chatted with Karen Conger, a registered dietitian at [...]

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Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the big, hard-to-attain goals: capital-R resolutions or the latest trendy (and often expensive) way to move. We start something so intense that we can’t finish or fit it into our schedules. Despite what you may see or hear from the fitness industry or on social media, there [...]

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Start the new year by embracing meaningful, lasting change! Habits are the cornerstone of health and wellness, and there’s no better time to build yours. Join The Whole U’s Dare to Do program starting Monday, January 13! Why focus on habits? Because small, consistent actions have the power to create big, sustainable results. Habits act [...]

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As an avid hiker and backpacker, I have experienced the PNW in all its weather elements. I am the Chair of the Mountaineers Foothills Branch Backpacking Committee, Co-Creator and Administrator for a beginning hiking series called GoHike, and an urban walk leader. My emphasis on safety is a priority. I help participants gain confidence, practice [...]

Continue Reading →

This year, the Whole U’s UW Endurance Club took participants on an inspiring and enriching journey leading up to the Seattle Half and Full Marathon. Together, we built a vibrant community of runners, walkers and supporters, united by our shared goals of fitness, camaraderie and perseverance. Let’s look back at the memorable experiences and opportunities [...]

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In celebration of UW Yoga Month, The Whole U is highlighting all our UW yoga partners through our UW Discount Network. Check out the list below. If your favorite yoga studio is not on the list, email us at thewholeu@uw.edu. And if you haven’t already registered for UW Yoga Month, DO IT TODAY! Aditi Yoga [...]

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This November, The Whole U launches its 11th year hosting UW Yoga Month! Register for UW Yoga Month – Restore in 2024 and embark on a journey of relaxation and renewal. 2024 Yoga Month Theme This Yoga Month, we invite you to focus on relaxation and inner peace. As life’s demands pull us in many [...]

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Turn over a new leaf this season and energize your routine with group fitness! Group fitness offers more than just physical health benefits. It also fosters a supportive and motivating environment that keeps participants engaged and committed to their goals. The sense of camaraderie in a group setting inspires individuals to push themselves further than [...]

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As the seasons start to change, now is the perfect time to refresh your knowledge and explore the resources available at the UW Farm. Gardening is a year-round activity that brings fresh, homegrown vegetables to your table. If you’re unsure where to begin, connect with the thriving gardening community at the UW Farm. The University [...]

Continue Reading →

This summer, the University of Washington community came together for an unforgettable experience with the 2024 UW Summer Olympics Challenge! From July 26 to August 11, over 1,200 UW faculty, staff, and families committed themselves to achieving personal and team goals across the six pillars of well-being: being active, eating well, engaging interests, financially fit, [...]

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The rising popularity of mindfulness in today’s world is proving the need for humans to disconnect from the daily stress of life and tune inward. Many have discovered mindfulness as a useful tool for lowering stress, managing anxiety, improving mood and creating a sense of calmness through meditation. During this time of year, finding mindfulness [...]

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No plans for the weekend? Why not take a hike? No, I don’t mean that sarcastically. There are tons of beautiful hikes in Washington! I’ve compiled a list of hikes, in order of difficulty, located on the west side of the state. Not an avid hiker? That’s okay! Start out with the hikes at the [...]

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Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of the present moment. Mindfulness is a very useful tool for lowering stress, anxiety, improving mood, and creating a sense of calmness through meditation and other techniques. One area of our lives where mindfulness can be extremely useful for our health is when we are eating. Think about [...]

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March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme, “Food Connects Us,” highlights the incredible role food plays in bringing people together, preserving cultural traditions and supporting overall well-being. Food is more than just sustenance—it’s a reflection of history, identity and shared experiences. Every cuisine tells a story, offering a glimpse into the heritage and [...]

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As we head into the new year it is a good time to reflect on the basics of nutrition and remind ourselves that nutrition is about creating sustainable habits, not adhering to rigid rules. Nutrition is about creating balance, consistency and small, meaningful changes over time. Find tips and advice from Dietician Judy Simon on [...]

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This holiday season, many of us are taking on multiple roles in the kitchen—sous chef, baking extraordinaire, turkey master and mac and cheese expert—all in the name of creating festive, delicious meals for our loved ones. Food is a wonderful comfort and tradition during this time of year, but it can also become a source [...]

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Trying to make healthier food choices can sometimes feel overwhelming and frustrating. But it doesn’t have to be. Eating well is possible. The more effortless we make it, the better chances are that we actually stick to it. We asked Charlotte Furman, a registered dietitian and Technology and Wellness Manager in the Department of Food [...]

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Fall is the perfect time to embrace warm, hearty meals that nourish both the body and soul. There’s something comforting about cooking at home during this season—whether it’s the rich aroma of spices or the warmth of the oven on a cool evening. To make things even easier, fall is ideal for one-pot meals that [...]

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As the seasons start to change, now is the perfect time to refresh your knowledge and explore the resources available at the UW Farm. Gardening is a year-round activity that brings fresh, homegrown vegetables to your table. If you’re unsure where to begin, connect with the thriving gardening community at the UW Farm. The University [...]

Continue Reading →

This summer, the University of Washington community came together for an unforgettable experience with the 2024 UW Summer Olympics Challenge! From July 26 to August 11, over 1,200 UW faculty, staff, and families committed themselves to achieving personal and team goals across the six pillars of well-being: being active, eating well, engaging interests, financially fit, [...]

Continue Reading →

The author Michael Pollan has boiled down the contents of several bestselling books and a lifetime of inquiry on healthy dining into a prescriptive motto with the economy of a haiku: “eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” Mostly plants. It sounds like a virtuous sentiment. But why? What is it that fruits and vegetables [...]

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Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a busy professional or simply navigating daily life, proper hydration can enhance physical performance, cognitive function and energy levels. On average, humans are made up of about 55 – 60% water, which is why it is so crucial to drink [...]

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The Summer Olympics are a time of unity, celebration, and extraordinary athletic achievement. At the University of Washington, we’re bringing that same spirit to our campus community with a fun and engaging UW Summer Olympics Challenge. This is your chance to challenge yourself, support your colleagues and celebrate the joy of the games together! How [...]

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When sunshine warms our days and stretches late into the evening, you know it’s prime season for barbecues, block parties, potlucks, birthdays, weddings and all manner of al fresco social gatherings. As you gather with family, friends and neighbors this summer, UW Medicine registered dietitians offer tips to bring a variety of color, nutrients and [...]

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“Spring” into Husky sports this March with exclusive discounted tickets through The Whole U! Husky Baseball Husky Baseball vs Gonzaga – Sunday, March 16 – 1:02 p.m. Husky Baseball vs Pacific Lutheran – Wednesday, March 19 – 5:02 p.m. Husky Baseball vs Maryland – Sunday, March 23 – 1:02 p.m. Husky Baseball vs Purdue – [...]

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Have you ever wondered why people think, feel, and behave so differently from one another?   In an enlightening webinar titled “Unlocking Personalities,” Dr. Michael Johnson, the Boeing Company Endowed Professor of Business Management, explored how understanding the Big Five personality model can help us better comprehend our own and others’ behavioral patterns.    The Big Five [...]

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In the midst of life’s responsibilities, carving out time for creativity can be a powerful way to find balance, fulfillment and joy. Creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s a fundamental part of being human, fueling innovation, self-expression and personal growth. Whether through art, writing or movement; engaging in creative hobbies can improve mental well-being, reduce stress [...]

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February is the perfect time to focus on health, kindness and meaningful connections. Whether you’re showing love through acts of care, well-being activities or giving back to your community, The Whole U has an exciting lineup of events to inspire and energize you. Three weeks remain to participate in The Whole U’s Dare to Do [...]

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As an avid hiker and backpacker, I have experienced the PNW in all its weather elements. I am the Chair of the Mountaineers Foothills Branch Backpacking Committee, Co-Creator and Administrator for a beginning hiking series called GoHike, and an urban walk leader. My emphasis on safety is a priority. I help participants gain confidence, practice [...]

Continue Reading →

If you’ve ever craved a deep sense of calm, restorative yoga might be exactly what you’re looking for. This gentle style of yoga invites you to slow down, release tension and relax completely. We’re thrilled to collaborate with our yoga studio partners during UW Yoga Month to offer classes exploring the stress-reduction benefits of yoga. [...]

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This November, The Whole U launches its 11th year hosting UW Yoga Month! Register for UW Yoga Month – Restore in 2024 and embark on a journey of relaxation and renewal. 2024 Yoga Month Theme This Yoga Month, we invite you to focus on relaxation and inner peace. As life’s demands pull us in many [...]

Continue Reading →

Many sources compete for attention online and in our social media feeds, including partisan blogs and bogus sites posting as legitimate news organizations. It can be tough to know what to trust. Follow these five steps from the News Literacy Project to cut through the noise and learn how to evaluate sources for signs of [...]

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“The best camera is the one that’s with you.” – Chase Jarvis In today’s fast-paced world, our smartphones are more than just communication devices. They’re powerful cameras that we carry with us every day. Whether you’re capturing moments on the go or working on your creative portfolio, your smartphone is a fantastic tool for photography. [...]

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Every year, the UW Combined Fund Drive (CFD) spotlights a nonprofit organization doing amazing work to make our communities — locally, nationally and globally — healthier and more resilient.  We are excited to announce that the featured nonprofit for the 2024 UWCFD workplace giving campaign is Northwest Education Access.  Founded in 2002, Northwest Education Access [...]

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As the seasons start to change, now is the perfect time to refresh your knowledge and explore the resources available at the UW Farm. Gardening is a year-round activity that brings fresh, homegrown vegetables to your table. If you’re unsure where to begin, connect with the thriving gardening community at the UW Farm. The University [...]

Continue Reading →

Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11 was a kids-laughing, tails-wagging, smile-flashing type of day on UW’s Seattle campus. More than 2,500 Huskies turned up for The Whole U’s annual UW Photo Day when faculty, staff, family and friends can get free professional portraits from some of Seattle’s best photographers. Attendees made their way to [...]

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Distinguished emeritus professors Merrill and Bertil Hille are partners in wellness and paragons of active — even adventurous — aging Like many retired couples of a certain age, Bertil and Merrill Hille log their engagements in an old-fashioned paper calendar. Theirs would look pretty unremarkable, actually, if not for the sprawling range of scribbled triangles [...]

Continue Reading →

When teaching a course called “Leading Across Cultures,” Xiao-Ping Chen engages her students in a probing discussion of the 2020 Academy Award-winning documentary “American Factory.” This uncommonly perceptive account of a Chinese glass manufacturer’s attempts to open a plant in Ohio is hardly a textbook MBA case study. But Chen, a professor of management at [...]

Continue Reading →

The curriculum vitae of Anita Ramasastry is awe-inspiring. And a bit exhausting. The Henry M. Jackson Professor of Law has compiled an impressive record of traditional academic activities and achievements, from directing the UW School of Law’s Sustainable International Development Graduate Program and serving as senior advisor to the UW’s Office of Global Affairs to [...]

Continue Reading →

Women have played a central part in the University of Washington history, from its very first faculty member (Lucia Carr) in the 1860s and first bachelor’s degree graduate (Clara McCarty) in 1876 to the remarkably diverse learning environment it has become today. Through its eras and across its varied disciplines, countless extraordinary women have defined [...]

Continue Reading →

On the day that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee, Quintard Taylor was working to register Black voters in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was just 18, a junior at St. Augustine’s University endowed with idealism for the cause of racial justice through non-violent means that King espoused. But the [...]

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“I’m exactly where I want to be.”  For associate professor of Urban Design and Planning Jan Whittington, this statement sums up her feelings about being on the faculty of a large public university, doing what she loves, with good opportunities to secure research funding.  Her statement applies equally well to the 1906 Craftsman near Ravenna [...]

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Veterans can be a tight-knit group. Having spent years building a community on whom they could depend with their lives, many Veterans find retirement from the military—and the sudden loss of that community—unsettling, at best. This is one reason why Veterans recovering from behavioral health or addiction disorders often benefit from the support of a [...]

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The shape and form of a city are like an essay–a composition that is constantly being rewritten and revised by the social and political activity of the people who live in and use it. And like an essay, a city expresses arguments about who deserves the amenities that urban life offers. If that sounds like [...]

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Content warning: This article discusses sexual and domestic violence. Preventing problems before they occur. That’s a core value of community psychology, an interdisciplinary field that works to foster collective change, community wellness and the empowerment of marginalized and oppressed people. The field has a strong social justice bent, and practitioners are often passionate activists for [...]

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Colleges and universities around the world are experiencing a range of new and historically unmatched pressures for change. The structures, systems, built environments and resources that have served as the fundamental frameworks for higher education are no longer consistently meeting the needs of the diverse citizenry these institutions aim to serve. This is perhaps especially [...]

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Horacio de la Iglesia doesn’t always practice what he preaches. The sleep scientist and UW professor of biology, whose influential sleep research helped demonstrate the benefits of delaying school start times for Seattle high schoolers, knows that he should go to bed at roughly the same time each night. But on weekends, he likes to [...]

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Davon Woodard is an urban guy. Though he spent a few years during grad school in Blacksburg, Virginia—a small college town in the Appalachian Mountains, home to Virginia Tech—most of his life he’s lived and worked in cities: Lansing, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Johannesburg (South Africa) and now Tacoma. In fact, it’s fair to say Davon [...]

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Ready to Build Stronger Financial Habits? In the spirit of the Dare to Do 2025 program, it’s the perfect time to focus on building lasting habits for your financial wellness. Budgeting is key to achieving financial health, and the program will guide you in developing better money habits. Whether you’re starting fresh or refining your [...]

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The holiday season is a time for joy, connection, and generosity, but it doesn’t have to be a time for financial stress. Our partners at BECU have shared some practical tips to help you navigate holiday spending while staying on budget. From creating a detailed holiday budget to finding creative gift ideas, these insights can [...]

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As we enter October, Financial Planning Month serves as a timely reminder that achieving your financial goals is possible with the right strategies in place. Whether you are just beginning your financial journey or looking to fine-tune your approach, this month is an opportunity to take control of your finances, reduce stress, and set a [...]

Continue Reading →

As parents, one of the most valuable life skills you can impart to your children is financial responsibility. The earlier kids learn the basics of earning, saving, and investing, the better equipped they’ll be to navigate the financial challenges of adulthood. This guide will walk you through the key steps to help your children develop [...]

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Key takeaways: Always note the amount due and the payment date so you pay on time, every time. Read the contract with your card issuer so you understand the terms and possible fees you may face. Check your credit reports regularly to monitor your credit score, and check for any errors. To make the most [...]

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Your mind may have been boggled by the recent headline declaring that the full cost of attaining a four-year degree at a few of the nation’s elite universities is about to surpass $400,000 for the first time. Of course, few students will actually pay this astronomical sticker price. And higher education costs quite a bit [...]

Continue Reading →

Community land trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit organizations focused on creating permanently affordable housing. The land trust shares in the ownership of the home — they own the land, while you own the home. This may result in lower housing costs. The Whole U’s partners at HomeStreet Bank answer some frequently asked questions about community land [...]

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April is not just about spring showers and blooming flowers—it’s also Financial Literacy Month! At the University of Washington, you have a handful of resources and financial experts at your disposal for education and support when it comes to your personal financial goals. We’ve rounded up a treasure trove of tools and resources to help [...]

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Do you dread the coming of April 15? You’re far from alone. It is the deadline for most people to file their personal income tax return. And beyond going through your financial history from the 2023 tax year, there are always changes in the filing that can make the process more fraught and frustrating. Fortunately, [...]

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It’s a tough reality of living in a computer-driven world: scams will always find their way into popular technologies. Digital payment apps—such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Venmo and Zelle—are no exception. With their use becoming increasingly a part of our everyday life, knowing the steps for safeguarding your information and maintaining control of your money [...]

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Whether you are saving money toward purchasing a home or simply watching your expenses, managing your rent costs makes good financial sense. Budget advisors generally recommend keeping housing costs at 30% of your household’s income or less. This can be challenging in the city of Seattle, especially for families earning moderate to low incomes. While [...]

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The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to assess your financial health. Here are some tips to help you set realistic goals for saving, spending and managing debt from BECU, a financial wellness partner of The Whole U. Start a spending journal In order to budget for the future, it helps to [...]

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Have you ever wondered why people think, feel, and behave so differently from one another?   In an enlightening webinar titled “Unlocking Personalities,” Dr. Michael Johnson, the Boeing Company Endowed Professor of Business Management, explored how understanding the Big Five personality model can help us better comprehend our own and others’ behavioral patterns.    The Big Five [...]

Continue Reading →

Summer camps and courses offer numerous benefits for children, fostering personal growth, social development and academic enrichment in a supportive and adventurous environment. The good news is that there are numerous convenient options at the University of Washington. Here are some resources to help you decide on summer care, camps and courses: Champ Camp Great [...]

Continue Reading →

The start of a new academic year can bring a mix of emotions, from excitement to moments of anxiety. This fall, as we approach the 2024 election, it’s normal to feel a bit more tension with races at the national, state and local level. Anticipating these changes while managing everyday stressors can sometimes feel overwhelming. [...]

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As we enter October, Financial Planning Month serves as a timely reminder that achieving your financial goals is possible with the right strategies in place. Whether you are just beginning your financial journey or looking to fine-tune your approach, this month is an opportunity to take control of your finances, reduce stress, and set a [...]

Continue Reading →

Is college on the horizon for your family? Higher education can mean high anxiety. There are significant economic and academic stressors to cope with, of course. There are standardized tests to take, essays to write, application deadlines to meet, financial aid forms to fill. But there’s also the plain fact that going to college is [...]

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As parents, one of the most valuable life skills you can impart to your children is financial responsibility. The earlier kids learn the basics of earning, saving, and investing, the better equipped they’ll be to navigate the financial challenges of adulthood. This guide will walk you through the key steps to help your children develop [...]

Continue Reading →

Your mind may have been boggled by the recent headline declaring that the full cost of attaining a four-year degree at a few of the nation’s elite universities is about to surpass $400,000 for the first time. Of course, few students will actually pay this astronomical sticker price. And higher education costs quite a bit [...]

Continue Reading →

It is finally summertime in the PNW! And while it can be tempting to bask in our too-fleeting season of sun… it’s also important to protect your skin from the harmful radiation emitted by our brilliant local star. Too much exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, which is the most common form of [...]

Continue Reading →

Community land trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit organizations focused on creating permanently affordable housing. The land trust shares in the ownership of the home — they own the land, while you own the home. This may result in lower housing costs. The Whole U’s partners at HomeStreet Bank answer some frequently asked questions about community land [...]

Continue Reading →

It’s easy to forget that facial expressions and body language communicate emotions, whether intended or not. What if you could exert more control over how you process and express these emotions? It’s possible through a process called emotional regulation. Emotional regulation is the ability to manage your emotional responses through various strategies that reframe challenging [...]

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May is national Mental Health Awareness Month, with its clarion call to prioritize our psychological well-being as much as we do our physical well-being. That’s sometimes easier said than done. While there is certainly cause to celebrate the rising awareness and acceptance and declining stigma of mental health disorders, these trends have also revealed a [...]

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The University of Washington is proud to partner with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), formally known as Be The Match. NMDP is a renowned education, research and advocacy organization that oversees the world’s largest marrow registry. This partnership plays a crucial role in linking individuals battling life-threatening blood diseases and cancers with potential life-saving [...]

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Edited b-roll footage and photography is available for media usage.  Please contact beth_silverberg@hotmail.com for more information.

Media Contacts: Beth Herrell Silverberg 206-679-5157 beth_silverberg@hotmail.com Jean Hayes University of Washington 206-616-5475 (desk) 206-954-3764 (cell) jeanmh@uw.edu   University of Washington Sponsors Guinness World Record Attempt on National Have Fun at Work Day Whole U Event Helps Faculty and Staff to “Shake it Off” in the World’s Largest Umbrella Dance  January 28, 2015—Seattle, Wash. – [...]

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For Release 9:00 am PDT Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Thousands of University of Washington Faculty, Staff and Student Employees Will “Shake it Off” during Guinness World Record Breaking Attempt in Husky Stadium What: 2,000 University of Washington faculty and staff will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Umbrella Dance choreographed [...]

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In 2014, 1,200 UW faculty and staff came together to make history. Together, they set the Guinness World Record for the largest kettlebell class ever. In 2015, we are going to do it again, but this time we’re taking over beautiful Husky Stadium and showing the world we’re not afraid of a little rain. Together [...]

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Distinguished emeritus professors Merrill and Bertil Hille are partners in wellness and paragons of active — even adventurous — aging Like many retired couples of a certain age, Bertil and Merrill Hille log their engagements in an old-fashioned paper calendar. Theirs would look pretty unremarkable, actually, if not for the sprawling range of scribbled triangles [...]

Continue Reading →

It would not be too far a stretch to describe Ashwini Sadekar as a Renaissance woman. That’s not to say she is some kind of modern-day Leonardo da Vinci (though the 15th century polymath is one of her foremost inspirations). But, in her own way and time, Sadekar is fusing disparate disciplines into a body [...]

Continue Reading →

Not all superfans wear capes. But Barry Erickson does. Or did. For a quarter century, beginning in the mid-1980s, he entertained the home fans and antagonized visitors at UW football games in the guise of Captain Husky, a kind of vigilante mascot, whose DIY costume, broad comic skits and thundering crowd spell outs became an [...]

Continue Reading →

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” This question, posed by the poet Mary Oliver, was designed to inspire a bit of introspection. But when Maria Lamarca Anderson encountered it — on a milestone birthday at her physical and emotional limit in the thin air of [...]

Continue Reading →

“History never repeats itself,” wrote Mark Twain, “but it often rhymes.” That famous notion by the iconic American author certainly tracks with UW Rowing, a program that has been so good for so long that its storied history sometimes achieves a measure of rhythmic symmetry. To wit: In 1936, an understated former Washington oarsman named [...]

Continue Reading →

The University of Washington Q Center and director Brennon Ham wholeheartedly celebrate Pride and the progress of the LGBTQIA+ community this and every month. But that doesn’t mean that Brennon (who uses they/any pronouns) is content with the status quo. “When we become stagnant and stop evaluating whether behaviors or policies or words are harmful, [...]

Continue Reading →

Marie Cockerham felt ready for a new challenge. She had worked nearly two decades as a clinical nurse and, increasingly, a nurse educator when she took on a staff support position at UW Medical Center that was created to address the pervasive emotional stress and strain borne by healthcare providers. In this new role, Cockerham [...]

Continue Reading →

When teaching a course called “Leading Across Cultures,” Xiao-Ping Chen engages her students in a probing discussion of the 2020 Academy Award-winning documentary “American Factory.” This uncommonly perceptive account of a Chinese glass manufacturer’s attempts to open a plant in Ohio is hardly a textbook MBA case study. But Chen, a professor of management at [...]

Continue Reading →

Identifying the root cause of the climate crisis is simple enough. Finding solutions? Not so simple. It requires enormous creativity, commitment and collaboration, often among traditional antagonists in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. To foster these ad hoc collaborations, there is UW EarthLab, a transdisciplinary institute within the College of the Environment that is [...]

Continue Reading →

The curriculum vitae of Anita Ramasastry is awe-inspiring. And a bit exhausting. The Henry M. Jackson Professor of Law has compiled an impressive record of traditional academic activities and achievements, from directing the UW School of Law’s Sustainable International Development Graduate Program and serving as senior advisor to the UW’s Office of Global Affairs to [...]

Continue Reading →

Women have played a central part in the University of Washington history, from its very first faculty member (Lucia Carr) in the 1860s and first bachelor’s degree graduate (Clara McCarty) in 1876 to the remarkably diverse learning environment it has become today. Through its eras and across its varied disciplines, countless extraordinary women have defined [...]

Continue Reading →

As she leads a tour of the diverse vegetation proliferating inside the UW Biology Greenhouse, Katie Sadler compulsively collects dead leaves, desiccated flowers and spent branches, almost without noticing, the way a mother casually fusses with her child’s hair or straightens his collar. “I wish I had my pruning shears,” she says, with a knowing [...]

Continue Reading →

It would not be too far a stretch to describe Ashwini Sadekar as a Renaissance woman. That’s not to say she is some kind of modern-day Leonardo da Vinci (though the 15th century polymath is one of her foremost inspirations). But, in her own way and time, Sadekar is fusing disparate disciplines into a body [...]

Continue Reading →

Not all superfans wear capes. But Barry Erickson does. Or did. For a quarter century, beginning in the mid-1980s, he entertained the home fans and antagonized visitors at UW football games in the guise of Captain Husky, a kind of vigilante mascot, whose DIY costume, broad comic skits and thundering crowd spell outs became an [...]

Continue Reading →

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” This question, posed by the poet Mary Oliver, was designed to inspire a bit of introspection. But when Maria Lamarca Anderson encountered it — on a milestone birthday at her physical and emotional limit in the thin air of [...]

Continue Reading →

“History never repeats itself,” wrote Mark Twain, “but it often rhymes.” That famous notion by the iconic American author certainly tracks with UW Rowing, a program that has been so good for so long that its storied history sometimes achieves a measure of rhythmic symmetry. To wit: In 1936, an understated former Washington oarsman named [...]

Continue Reading →

The University of Washington Q Center and director Brennon Ham wholeheartedly celebrate Pride and the progress of the LGBTQIA+ community this and every month. But that doesn’t mean that Brennon (who uses they/any pronouns) is content with the status quo. “When we become stagnant and stop evaluating whether behaviors or policies or words are harmful, [...]

Continue Reading →

Marie Cockerham felt ready for a new challenge. She had worked nearly two decades as a clinical nurse and, increasingly, a nurse educator when she took on a staff support position at UW Medical Center that was created to address the pervasive emotional stress and strain borne by healthcare providers. In this new role, Cockerham [...]

Continue Reading →

Identifying the root cause of the climate crisis is simple enough. Finding solutions? Not so simple. It requires enormous creativity, commitment and collaboration, often among traditional antagonists in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. To foster these ad hoc collaborations, there is UW EarthLab, a transdisciplinary institute within the College of the Environment that is [...]

Continue Reading →

As she leads a tour of the diverse vegetation proliferating inside the UW Biology Greenhouse, Katie Sadler compulsively collects dead leaves, desiccated flowers and spent branches, almost without noticing, the way a mother casually fusses with her child’s hair or straightens his collar. “I wish I had my pruning shears,” she says, with a knowing [...]

Continue Reading →

Nicole Klein is not ordinarily a building hugger. But not long ago, in the middle of a tour she was leading of the old ASUW Shell House, Klein found herself overcome by emotion, temporarily unable to speak and compelled to wrap her arms around its walls of rough-hewn Douglas fir for a lingering moment. “I [...]

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“Study abroad changed my life.” This is a headline for many a blog post, tagline for many a study abroad program brochure, popular Tik Tok theme and a common refrain among students and alumni of overseas study. Indeed, a quick Google search of that phrase pulls up dozens of first-person accounts about how being an [...]

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Service to one’s community—in whatever form people choose to offer it—brings people together, bridging ideological, cultural, values-based, and economic differences for the common good. For LeAnne Wiles, Student Academic Services Executive Director for First Year Programs & Strategic Initiatives in Undergraduate Academic Affairs, serving her community has, from a young age, been a conscious choice [...]

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Meaningful recognition is a powerful motivator. People need to know that what they are doing matters. They need consistent acknowledgement of their value in an organization, and they need to be given recognition in a way that is significant to them. For nurses and other patient care providers, meaningful recognition might be the difference between [...]

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Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of the present moment. Mindfulness is a very useful tool for lowering stress, anxiety, improving mood, and creating a sense of calmness through meditation and other techniques. One area of our lives where mindfulness can be extremely useful for our health is when we are eating. Think about [...]

Continue Reading →

Summer camps and courses offer numerous benefits for children, fostering personal growth, social development and academic enrichment in a supportive and adventurous environment. The good news is that there are numerous convenient options at the University of Washington. Here are some resources to help you decide on summer care, camps and courses: Champ Camp Great [...]

Continue Reading →

The heart of the matter: understanding heart health and nutrition In the realm of well-being, few topics are as vital as heart health. The heart, that tireless organ pumping life throughout our bodies, deserves our utmost care and attention. But how do we support its well-being? We chatted with Karen Conger, a registered dietitian at [...]

Continue Reading →

Change is an inevitable part of life, whether it’s transitioning to new leadership locally or at the national level, moving to a new place, ending a relationship, or switching jobs. For some, navigating change feels familiar; for others, it’s a rare and challenging experience. Wherever you are with your comfort during change, this is a [...]

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Start the new year by embracing meaningful, lasting change! Habits are the cornerstone of health and wellness, and there’s no better time to build yours. Join The Whole U’s Dare to Do program starting Monday, January 13! Why focus on habits? Because small, consistent actions have the power to create big, sustainable results. Habits act [...]

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Trying to make healthier food choices can sometimes feel overwhelming and frustrating. But it doesn’t have to be. Eating well is possible. The more effortless we make it, the better chances are that we actually stick to it. We asked Charlotte Furman, a registered dietitian and Technology and Wellness Manager in the Department of Food [...]

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The human mind loves to focus on the negative. In fact, there is something called the negativity bias or negativity effect which basically states that the negative influences our cognition and behavior more deeply than the positive. But don’t take it personally, it is a human condition resulting from evolution and our inherent survival instinct. [...]

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The human body is a fascinating interconnection of each cell, organ and function. Researchers and medical professionals continue to learn more about how our bodies are interconnected each day. One especially incredible relationship is the ability of our minds to impact our physical health through the method of mindfulness. Mindfulness takes many forms and is [...]

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If you’ve ever craved a deep sense of calm, restorative yoga might be exactly what you’re looking for. This gentle style of yoga invites you to slow down, release tension and relax completely. We’re thrilled to collaborate with our yoga studio partners during UW Yoga Month to offer classes exploring the stress-reduction benefits of yoga. [...]

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In celebration of UW Yoga Month, The Whole U is highlighting all our UW yoga partners through our UW Discount Network. Check out the list below. If your favorite yoga studio is not on the list, email us at thewholeu@uw.edu. And if you haven’t already registered for UW Yoga Month, DO IT TODAY! Aditi Yoga [...]

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The University of Washington is proud to partner with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), formally known as Be The Match. NMDP is a renowned education, research and advocacy organization that oversees the world’s largest marrow registry. This partnership plays a crucial role in linking individuals battling life-threatening blood diseases and cancers with potential life-saving [...]

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Fall is the perfect time to embrace warm, hearty meals that nourish both the body and soul. There’s something comforting about cooking at home during this season—whether it’s the rich aroma of spices or the warmth of the oven on a cool evening. To make things even easier, fall is ideal for one-pot meals that [...]

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“Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., April 18, 1959 On January 20, a longstanding federal holiday, we honor the towering life [...]

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November is National Native American Heritage Month. It is a time dedicated to celebrating the traditions, cultures, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint [...]

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The University of Washington is proud to partner with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), formally known as Be The Match. NMDP is a renowned education, research and advocacy organization that oversees the world’s largest marrow registry. This partnership plays a crucial role in linking individuals battling life-threatening blood diseases and cancers with potential life-saving [...]

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Lots of great things happened in 1984. You could go to the theater and watch the original Ghostbusters or Beverly Hills Cop. Madonna was making her way into the living rooms across America thanks to MTV. Bruce Springsteen released Born in the USA and the original Apple Macintosh went on sale. In Washington state, then [...]

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Every year, the UW Combined Fund Drive (CFD) spotlights a nonprofit organization doing amazing work to make our communities — locally, nationally and globally — healthier and more resilient.  We are excited to announce that the featured nonprofit for the 2024 UWCFD workplace giving campaign is Northwest Education Access.  Founded in 2002, Northwest Education Access [...]

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As the Paris Olympic Games commence on July 26, so will The Whole U’s UW Summer Olympics Challenge. While going for the gold by meeting daily wellness goals of exercise, nutrition, hydration, mindfulness, connection and kindness, UW Summer Olympians are also contributing financial support to a favorite nonprofit organization: Special Olympics Washington, which will mark [...]

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Juneteenth, variously known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee day or Liberation Day, is a holiday commemorating the June 19, 1865, announcement in Galveston, Texas of the emancipation of all chattel slaves following the end of the Civil War. The oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth — [...]

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This June, Seattle Pride celebrates a massive milestone: the 50th anniversary of Pride festivities in Seattle, established in 1974 as a rallying cry for gay rights and queer visibility after the Stonewall uprising of 1969. At the University of Washington, organized support and celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community goes back even further. In 1967, UW [...]

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Summer is almost here! And it’s a great time to connect with your community through volunteering. Research has found that volunteering has many benefits to you and the communities you serve. We want to share a few of the many opportunities to give back through volunteering — either on your own, with your family or [...]

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May is National Asian American, Native Hawai’ian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate the diverse people, cultures and communities whose contributions have greatly enriched American history, society and culture. The United States first recognized AANHPI heritage in 1978. A week-long recognition was extended to a month-long celebration in 1992 commemorating the [...]

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The University of Washington is proud to partner with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), formally known as Be The Match. NMDP is a renowned education, research and advocacy organization that oversees the world’s largest marrow registry. This partnership plays a crucial role in linking individuals battling life-threatening blood diseases and cancers with potential life-saving [...]

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April 22 is Earth Day, as it has been since 1970, when it was established just a few months after congress created the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA, whose mission is to protect human health and the environment, laid the path to the several important pieces of environmental legislation, among them the Clean Air Act, Clean [...]

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The Whole U is hosting Well-Being Fairs at Harborview Medical Center, UWMC – Montlake and UWMC – Northwest this spring! These fairs will share resources and strategies for well-being available to UW Medicine employees. Stop by to explore stations focused on mindfulness, stress relief and self-care, and take a well-deserved moment to prioritize yourself. We [...]

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This March, join The Whole U in celebrating National Nutrition Month with the theme “Food Connects Us!” This month-long program highlights the role of food in bringing people together, fostering traditions and supporting overall well-being. This year, we’re introducing a National Nutrition Month Bingo Challenge! Complete activities throughout the month to explore new foods, engage in mindful [...]

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Summer camps and courses offer numerous benefits for children, fostering personal growth, social development and academic enrichment in a supportive and adventurous environment. The good news is that there are numerous convenient options at the University of Washington. Here are some resources to help you decide on summer care, camps and courses: Champ Camp Great [...]

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February is the perfect time to focus on health, kindness and meaningful connections. Whether you’re showing love through acts of care, well-being activities or giving back to your community, The Whole U has an exciting lineup of events to inspire and energize you. Three weeks remain to participate in The Whole U’s Dare to Do [...]

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Change is an inevitable part of life, whether it’s transitioning to new leadership locally or at the national level, moving to a new place, ending a relationship, or switching jobs. For some, navigating change feels familiar; for others, it’s a rare and challenging experience. Wherever you are with your comfort during change, this is a [...]

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As we head into the new year it is a good time to reflect on the basics of nutrition and remind ourselves that nutrition is about creating sustainable habits, not adhering to rigid rules. Nutrition is about creating balance, consistency and small, meaningful changes over time. Find tips and advice from Dietician Judy Simon on [...]

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Comfort for our furry friends: Join the UWCFD to make no-sew pet blankets   Looking for a meaningful way to brighten a shelter animal’s day? Join the UW Combined Fund Drive (UWCFD) on Thursday, Feb. 13, at noon for a heartwarming virtual event. We’ll be making cozy no-sew fleece pet blankets for the animals at [...]

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Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the big, hard-to-attain goals: capital-R resolutions or the latest trendy (and often expensive) way to move. We start something so intense that we can’t finish or fit it into our schedules. Despite what you may see or hear from the fitness industry or on social media, there [...]

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Start the new year by embracing meaningful, lasting change! Habits are the cornerstone of health and wellness, and there’s no better time to build yours. Join The Whole U’s Dare to Do program starting Monday, January 13! Why focus on habits? Because small, consistent actions have the power to create big, sustainable results. Habits act [...]

Continue Reading →

This year, the Whole U’s UW Endurance Club took participants on an inspiring and enriching journey leading up to the Seattle Half and Full Marathon. Together, we built a vibrant community of runners, walkers and supporters, united by our shared goals of fitness, camaraderie and perseverance. Let’s look back at the memorable experiences and opportunities [...]

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Practicing sustainability nearly feels impossible to do over the holiday season with it being such a busy time of the year, but UW Sustainability has provided us with ten suggestions to help! We encourage you to choose one or two actions from each category below. Shopping & Buying Gifts When it comes to gifts, choosing [...]

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This December, The Whole U has something special for everyone! Join us for meaningful volunteer opportunities, a festive winter market, discounted UW Athletics tickets, and inspiring webinars. Make this month your time to invest in your well-being—mind and body!   Volunteer at UW’s Seattle Marathon Water Station Sunday, December 1 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. [...]

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