This year’s Staff Wellbeing Week was a huge success, with many ‘sell out’ sessions over the the eight-day program of seminars, workshops and activities. Staff enjoyed everything from informative lunchtime sessions, to bush care, yoga classes, an art exhibition, and even a circus school.

1. ‘Spring Colour Escapes’ art class with Meredith Brice. 

2. Bush care session 3. Campus walks 4. ‘Portraits of Recovery’ exhibition.

5. Circus school.

Here are eight things we learned during the week:

Australia is heading towards being free of cervical cancer by 2020-2030
At her information seminar ‘Don’t let what you don’t know kill you’ seminar, MQ Health GP Dr Heather Knox explained the importance of preventative health. She highlighted that Australia’s world-leading vaccine and screening program is resulting in a decline in cervical cancer rates.

Almost two-thirds of Australians aged 18 and over are overweight or obese
Dr Knox said that obesity and related diseases – cardiovascular diseases, cancers and diabetes – are the world’s biggest killers. Some of her advice to help combat obesity included setting realistic goals, increasing opportunities to move and seeing a dietician.

Suicide is the leading cause of death in 15 to 44-year-old Australians
Dr Knox further explained that almost half of Australians between 16 and 85 will experience a mental disorder such as depression, anxiety or substance use disorder. If you’re experiencing difficulties with your mental health, free confidential coaching and support is available to staff through the Employee Assistance Programme. Other services you can call are Mindspot (1800 61 44 34), Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyondblue (1300 22 4636).

Recommended alcohol consumption is a LOT less than most people think
Accoridng to Dr Knox it’s 1-2 drinks, 2.7 times a week, for women; and 1-2 drinks, 3.4 times a week, for men. Calculate how many calories you’re consuming from alcohol each week with this calculator.

Two out of three Australians will get skin cancer
Dr Knox advices to get your skin checked regularly, wear sunglasses, seek shade and slip, slop, slap.

Don’t put your phone on the table
At the ‘Moving away from mobile devices: Managing technology-induced stress’ seminar, Dr Mauricio Marrone and Dr Ilja Nastjuk shared some interesting research into how our phones influence our behaviour. A study showed that by having your phone on the table during a catch up with friends meant people were more distracted, less happy and more bored than those who kept the phones in their bags.

Don’t sleep with your phone
The ‘eerie blue glow’ might prevent you from falling asleep and getting a good night’s rest as well.

Don’t check your emails every time you get a notification
Each time you stop a task and check your emails it takes longer to get back into completing the first task. Dr Marrone uses the ‘Pomodoro technique’, which involves setting a timer for 25 minutes to complete a task, before allowing yourself a 5-minute break to check emails. 

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What was the most interesting thing you learned during Staff Wellbeing Week? Tell us in the comments below.