January 2017 – Page 2

Have You Heard About Care.com?

Published on January 11, 2017 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

The WorkLife Office helps the university community be productive on campus while managing the inevitable demands of personal life. An example of a service provided through the office is Care.com. This is a resource for the MSU community that can help you find childcare, housekeepers, pet care, senior/elder care support, even house sitters. Work-life issues are complex and diverse. Care.com is a tool that enables MSU staff, faculty and students to be high performing while solving the work-life puzzle of needs throughout the lifecycle, from childcare to elder care.

The Care.com website allows you to view detailed profiles of care providers and you can search according to your requirements: ZIP code, experience, hourly rate, availability and more. Care.com gives individuals 24/7 access to qualified care providers for every day, occasional or back-up care. Users can either search for providers or post a job to have candidates apply directly.

Security

Care.com is concerned about security and therefore includes safeguards. They conduct criminal background checks, and provide reviewed profiles and recorded references, which adds confidence when you make decisions regarding personal family care needs.

Measures of success

The MSU community has embraced Care.com. In a recent survey, 87% of respondents who tried to hire help through Care.com succeeded, and 95% of MSU respondents said they would recommend Care.com to a friend or colleague at the university.

How do you access the service?

Enter the MSU portal so you will not be charged for the service, then log in with your MSU Net ID to be identified as an MSU affiliate.

The search service is free, wages for care providers are negotiated between the provider and the user.

Want to Become Nicotine- or Tobacco-Free?

Published on January 10, 2017 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Are you thinking about quitting tobacco or nicotine products? If so, you should consider attending an information session about the MSU Breathe Easy: Tobacco & Nicotine Cessation program.

Anti-Smoking Symbol — Take control of your tobacco or nicotine addiction, register for Breathe Easy today!

Quitting tobacco and nicotine products is extremely difficult. That being said, this program is available to provide the support that you need to make this change. Nearly 30 percent of MSU Breathe Easy participants have remained nicotine free. This is an excellent figure when you consider the fact that other cessation methods report success rates between 3 and 12 percent.

The next information session is Wednesday, January 25, 2017 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Olin Student Health Services Building. To register for the information session, you and/or your adult benefits-eligible family members should call Health4U at 517-353-2596, send an email to Health4U@msu.edu or register in person at 330 Olin Health Center.

Attending this information session does not obligate you to enroll in the Breathe Easy program. This session is only meant to provide you with information so you can decide if the program is the right fit for you. Both the information session and the Breathe Easy program are free for benefits-eligible MSU employees and their adult benefits-eligible family members. The total time commitment for the program is 17 hours, which is spread out over the course of the 15-month program commitment. You will not be required to use your own time accruals to participate in the Breathe Easy program, so long as you are compliant with attendance at the meetings and your supervisor approves release time.

A limited number of off-campus employees now have the option to participate in the program via teleconferencing. Participants will join the information session, support sessions and medical-related sessions through Zoom. If you’re interested in participating remotely, let Health4U know when you register for the information session.

Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – It’s more than just the winter blues

Published on January 5, 2017 by MSU Human Resources1 Comment

Do you find yourself feeling down or sluggish when winter comes around? Well, you’re not alone. Many people are impacted by seasonal affective disorder (SAD) each year, around the time fall transitions to winter. SAD is a type of mild depression that can be caused by a decrease in sunlight that offsets your biological clock, a drop in serotonin levels or unbalanced levels of melatonin, which can affect sleep patterns and mood.

snowy_sparty-edited — Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

Symptoms of SAD include:

Irritability
Tiredness or low energy
Problems getting along with other people
Hypersensitivity to rejection
Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs
Oversleeping
Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
Weight gain

However, you don’t have to simply “deal with” these winter blues. MSU Extension offers several ways to help overcome SAD this winter. One thing you can do is manage stress by planning ahead and not taking on too much during these dreary months. Also, try to be mindful and don’t fixate on negative thoughts. Another tip is to exercise and eat healthy. Exercising regularly can relieve stress, improve memory, help you sleep better and boost your mood. Eating the right foods can keep you feeling full longer and give you energy to take on the day. You should also try to participate in activities you enjoy and surround yourself with positive people.

Additionally, there are medical means to combat SAD if your symptoms are more severe. Be sure to consult with your doctor for medical advice.

For more information on SAD and tips to overcome it, visit MSU Extension’s website.

Events Round-Up January 2017

Published on January 2, 2017 by MSU Human Resources1 Comment

Here are some events happening over the next month that may be of interest to MSU faculty and staff. Please visit the links for more information. Many events require registration.

Community Events

Friday, January 6

January Zoom Family Night!, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Impression 5 Science Center

Saturday, January 7

Family Day: Transformation, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum

Lansing Symphony Orchestra Masterworks 3: Dvorak Cello Concerto, 8 p.m., Wharton Center for Performing Arts

Tuesday, January 10 – Sunday, January 15

The Wharton Center Presents: Beautiful~The Carole King Musical, various times, Wharton Center for Performing Arts

Friday, January 13

Howl at the Moon at Harris Nature Center, 7 p.m., Harris Nature Center

Saturday, January 14

Cross Country Skiing Class, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Harris Nature Center