April Employee Wellness Opportunities
Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 8:02amTO: Sonoma State Employees
FR: Employee Wellness Program, Payroll and Benefits
As the days get longer and the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time to explore this month’s employee wellness opportunities. From yoga and movement classes to mindful moments and wellness webinars, April’s offerings bring a variety of ways to refresh both body and mind.
Get Healthy Challenge
Join the Campus Rec Center’s free Get Healthy Challenge. Complete weekly challenges to be entered to win prizes. The more challenges you complete, the better your chances to win while improving your overall health! Register by April 6th to join the challenge running from April 6th - May 11th.
Vitalant Blood Drive
In partnership with SSU Student Involvement and Student Clubs, Vitalant will be hosting an on-campus blood drive:
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
10:00am - 2:15pm
Parking Lot D, Bloodmobile
(appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome)
Yoga and Pilates Classes
Lunchtime yoga and pilates classes are open to all experience levels and offer a great mid-day break to stretch, reset, and connect with colleagues. Please join us in Ives 80 from 12:05 to 12:55pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Yoga mats are available.
Mondays: Pilates
Wednesdays: Meditative Yoga
Thursdays: Meditative Yoga
Couch to 5K Training!
Join our 45-minute Couch to 5K Training with Yavé Guzman Valdez (bio)! Training is held weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Arbor and Lakes from 12:05 to 12:50pm. All levels are welcome, from beginners to intermediate as well as advanced runners looking for some extra workouts. Suggested items to bring with you: A pair of good running shoes, comfortable clothing to run in, water, post run snack, and a yoga mat.
Wellness Webinars
Kaiser Permanente is offering a range of wellness webinars open to all employees, regardless of your health plan. Most sessions are available on-demand for six months after the live stream, with the exception of the Calm Meditation Sessions, which are only available live.
Move It Mondays - These 30-minute classes are designed to boost both your body and your mind and are available for all fitness levels. These classes will include a gentle warm-up, energizing movement, and a cool down.
April 6 & 20, 2026 (Noon - 12:30pm)
Digital Detox - Explore the benefits of unplugging from screens and find practical ways to reclaim focus, rest, and balance.
April 15, 2026 (Noon - 1pm)
Cultivating Compassion (Mindfulness) - Explore the definition of mindfulness, the benefits to being in the present moment, and how to build this skill of awareness. Throughout the webinar, you will have the opportunity to practice various mindfulness activities.
April 16, 2026 (Noon - 1pm)
Cultivating Compassion - True compassion begins within. Explore what it means to cultivate compassion not just for others, but also for yourself. Focus on essential practices of setting healthy boundaries and releasing what you cannot control.
April 20, 2026 (Noon - 1pm)
Wellness Unfiltered. Hype or Health? - Learn how to distinguish health “hypes” from evidence-based practices, explore different wellness trends and identify which ones are helpful (or not) — wearables, recovery tools, supplements, and diet trends, and apply a practical, sustainable approach to wellness that fits your everyday life.
April 23, 2026 (12:30 - 1:30pm)
Calm Meditation Sessions
Join for 15 minutes to de-stress, reset, and renew yourself.
April 8, 2026 (10 - 10:15am) - Join here at the time of event
April 22, 2026 (2 - 2:15pm) - Join here at the time of event
Also check out: 10 Mindfulness Exercises to Include In Your Daily Routine
Kaiser Cooking Videos
Cook your way to better health! Learn the basics of flavorful, plant-based cooking.
Kaiser’s Financial and Digital Detox Challenge - Stress Less, Invest More, Unplug Often
This month’s challenge is all about creating calm and confidence both financially and mentally. Challenge yourself to increase the amount you’re saving and take small, intentional steps to invest in your future. Money stress is one of the biggest sources of anxiety, but taking control of your finances can ease that pressure and give you peace of mind. Start by reviewing your monthly budget and finding small areas to save because every little bit adds up. Whether it’s contributing to a savings account, building an emergency fund, or meeting with a financial planner, each action you take is an investment in your long-term well-being. And here’s a twist: try pairing this challenge with a digital detox. Take a break from online shopping, financial scrolling, or constant comparisons on social media. Use that time to reflect, plan, and reset your priorities. When you pay yourself first, you’re not just saving money, you’re saving peace of mind and setting yourself up for a more balanced, stress-free future.
Employee Access to the Campus Recreation Center
Employees have access to the Campus Rec Center, offering a wide range of fitness, recreational and wellness resources that support physical and mental wellbeing along with opportunities to connect and build community outside of your work space. More information about the Rec Center’s facilities, classes, and hours of operation can be found at Campus Recreation’s Rec Portal. Instructions for activating your employee access are available on our website.
Faculty/Staff Basketball Group
Are you interested in joining a faculty/staff basketball group on Mondays at 5pm? Contact Mike Dominguez at [email protected] with any questions or to join!
Additional information regarding our SSU Employee Wellness programs can be found here: https://hr.sonoma.edu/payroll/