Finding Balance: Living Well With Boundaries Webinar

December 16th, 2024 at 4:00 PM Register Here

Description: Boundaries can help you build healthy relationships, maximize your time, increase your productivity, protect your energy, and achieve better work-life balance. But setting boundaries can be really difficult. In this workshop, we’ll cover the main hurdles to setting boundaries, how to overcome those hurdles, and how to identify areas of your work life where boundaries may help. We’ll also discuss ways to communicate your boundaries effectively. With a plan in place, you’ll be ready to set boundaries with yourself and others to best support your well-being.

Presenter Name & Biography: Stephanie Cojocaru

Dr. Stephanie Cojocaru is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the Tampa Bay area. Her background in working with military populations and individuals afflicted by complex trauma led her to a Staff Psychologist position with the Department of Veterans Affairs. During her time with the VA, she became a national consultant for an evidence-based treatment focused on strategies to improve relationships and mood and also spent time working with the organizational development team to improve workplace performance and cohesion. Dr. Cojocaru left the VA in 2019 to open her private practice and expand mental health treatment and organizational development consulting services across her community. She believes in a comprehensive approach to care and has a passion for destigmatizing mental health challenges and empowering others to make sustainable, meaningful change in their lives.

The Office of Leaves, Accommodations, and Wellness wants to help you start your new year resolution early. All School District of Philadelphia employees are able to take advantage of a free membership through the end of the year at Retro Fitness! Please see the attached flyer for details.

We’re excited to announce our next Wellness Bingo Challenge! Who doesn’t need a little self-care this time of year? Join in on this challenge from December 1 – December 31 where you’ll be encouraged to complete daily wellness activities focused on YOU! You’ll also have the chance to earn prizes for participating! Check out instructions below and find more details directly on your School District of Philadelphia Wellbeing Hub.

● How to play | Login to your Wellbeing Hub and select the first image on the home page carousel or select the navigation menu icon > Self-Care Bingo Challenge in the top right corner. Optional: Download a copy of your bingo board. Complete 5 squares in a row to earn a bingo. Complete the entire board to earn SUPER BINGO! Submit your bingo squares by scrolling down to the bottom of the challenge page on your Hub, or by scanning the QR code on the bingo board.

● How to win | Earn 1 raffle entry for each bingo you submit for a chance to win one a prize. Complete SUPER BINGO for a chance to win a grand prizes!

Please see the flyer HERE

Plan Ahead, Budget Now! The holiday season is a time for giving to others and sharing gifts with family and friends. Now is a great time to plan ahead and budget for the upcoming season, to save yourself from the stress of last minute holiday shopping! Budgeting now for the holidays can help you have a happier, stress-free holiday season this year.

Below you will find several ways you can save your mental health from stress:

Make a list, and check it twice! Experts agree that it helps to write down a list of all the people for whom you plan to shop, before you hit the stores or turn on the computer. Next to each name write down what you want to buy for that person, and how much you want to spend. You get a clear idea of the numbers involved and know in advance how many gifts you need to purchase.

Curb impulse shopping and spending – buy only what is on your list. If you’ve forgotten someone, add them to your holiday budget and, if necessary, adjust the amounts you spend on others so you keep the same total.

Make a plan for those other expenses. Give some thought to how much you’ll be spending during the holiday season on things other than gifts. Be sure to include in your budget the following: postage for cards and presents that need to be shipped; wrapping paper, bows, greeting cards and other supplies; decorations; food and drink for holiday meals (and don’t forget to add more, if you will be feeding guests); and travel expenses.

Review your receipts and bills from last year. This will give you an idea of the amount you actually spent and how long it took to pay for it all. If you follow some of these simple tips, you should have a successful and financial stress-free holiday season!

Spinach, Feta & Rice Casserole

Ingredients 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil ½ cup chopped onion 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 3 large cloves garlic, grated 3 cups cooked brown rice ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese ¼ cup chopped fresh dill ½ teaspoon ground pepper ¼ teaspoon salt 4 large eggs ¼ cup sour cream (or make a healthy swap with Greek yogurt!) 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add spinach and garlic; cook, stirring, for another minute. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Add rice, feta, dill, pepper and salt to the pan; stir to combine. Whisk eggs, sour cream and lemon zest in a medium bowl. Add to the rice mixture and stir well to combine. Smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Bake until lightly browned in spots, about 25 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.