Apr 01, 2020 2:00 PM

To those of you who are missing your regular visits to the Wellness and Integrative Health Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), we miss you too. Physical distancing is a barrier to our services. We believe in the power of touch and connection, but we have had to avoid physical proximity as we practice the highest levels of caution around COVID-19. And we are quickly adapting.
We use the term physical distancing because we believe you should still connect with friends and family virtually. Social engagement is a critical aspect of health, especially in response to the challenges we are facing. It helps you relieve stress and relax.
Since you can’t relieve stress through our in-person services such as massage, acupuncture, or an exercise visit, you might be asking these questions:
- How can I achieve my wellness goals on my own or virtually right now?
- What are some other tools to step out of stress and into wellness during this time?
In answer to these questions, we’ve come up with a collection of tools and resources to help you practice self-care and wellness during your time at home:
- HCI’s social work team has tips for managing stress and anxiety during crisis.
- The University of Utah Wellness and Integrative Health Center website has virtual workshops in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR).
- The Mindfulness Center at University of Utah’s counseling center has audio meditations and other mindfulness resources. This is also a great resource for patients as well as University of Utah staff, faculty, and students.
- HCI patients both inpatient and outpatient can request virtual art, creative writing, and music therapy sessions by calling 801-587-4585.
- Join our free virtual group fitness classes. Follow these steps (classes are only open to HCI Patients, Caregivers and Staff and University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics Staff and Faculty)
- Sign up for the class on the Smartsheet Sign-in. You can do this ahead of time or at the start of class.
- Complete the Liability Waiver.
- At the class start time, click here to access the virtual group session. You may be prompted to download the Vidyoconnect app to your desktop or mobile device.
(If you have any technology difficulties or questions call Kim at 801-587-4740 or Darren 801-587-4738 and we will talk you through it!)
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We look forward to seeing you online!