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Employee Wellness offers health promotion opportunities for all employees in the MRU community. The common thread between all events is to provide you with a variety of supports to keep yourself healthy across all dimensions of wellness. Wellness Wednesdays will continue as our flagship program in addition to new opportunities to connect.
Monthly Wellness Wednesday Theme:
Employee Wellness is focusing on a specific area of health every month to structure Wellness Wednesday events. Wellness Wednesday events will be planned according to these themes and additional health promoting events will be hosted by Employee Wellness to compliment the Wellness Wednesday programming.
September: Resilience
Join Employee Wellness in September as we explore ways to build resilience.
Register: here
Location: EC2075
Date: Wednesday September 9, 16, 23, 2026
Time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Description:
Facilitated by Registered Psychologist Tessa Burns-Martin, these interactive sessions will explore practical strategies for managing workplace stress, improving well-being, and building resilience.
Session 1: Healthy Boundaries and Communication
Participants will learn what healthy boundaries are and why they are important, recognize different types of boundaries, develop assertive communication techniques, and practice expressing their needs respectfully and effectively.
Session 2: Work-Life Balance
Participants will explore the myth of work-life balance, identify personal patterns of imbalance, develop healthier expectations, and create a more sustainable approach to integrating work and personal life.
Session 3: Stress Management and Emotional Regulation
Participants will gain an understanding of the body's stress response, recognize their personal stress patterns, learn practical emotional regulation strategies, and develop a personalized stress management plan.
Registration is required. This series is offered in person only. If registration is full, please email Leigh lbodnarrollings@mtroyal.ca to be added to the waitlist.
Register: here
Location: EA1054
Date: Thursday September 10, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.
Description:
This practical session will explore strategies to strengthen your sense of personal safety and help you feel more confident navigating uncomfortable or uncertain situations. We will discuss what situational awareness looks like in both conversations and your surrounding environment, how to recognize and respond to potential safety concerns in the moment, and how to use verbal de-escalation techniques to support safer interactions.
Registration is required. This series is offered in person only. If registration is full, please email Leigh lbodnarrollings@mtroyal.ca to be added to the waitlist.
Register: here
Location: U159, U111, I124
Date: Thursday September 17, 24, October 1, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Description:
Instructed by Diana Trang of Satori YYC, this program is beginner-friendly, accessible to participants of all ages, fitness, and experience levels, and designed to develop both technical skills and practical self-defence with an emphasis on realistic application for personal safety and controlled partner training.
Registration is required. This series is offered in person only. If registration is full, please email Leigh lbodnarrollings@mtroyal.ca to be added to the waitlist.
October: Resilience
Join Employee Wellness in October as we explore ways to build resilience.
Register: here
Location: EC1125
Date: Thursday October 8, 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Description:
Join us for a hands-on class exploring how you can grow fresh, edible food indoors year-round. From easy-to-grow microgreens and herbs to tomatoes and more, you’ll learn practical techniques for creating your own indoor edible garden and choosing a growing system that fits your space, time and interests.
We’ll explore:
Environmental factors for successful indoor growing
Seed germination and breaking dormancy
Choosing lights, equipment and growing mediums
Watering systems and different growing techniques
Common problems and how to troubleshoot them
You’ll get to try simple indoor growing techniques yourself and take your results home to continue growing!
Registration is required. This session is offered in person only. If registration is full, please email Leigh lbodnarrollings@mtroyal.ca to be added to the waitlist.
Register: here
Location: Ideas Lounge (EL1270)
Date: Wednesday October 14, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Description:
Join Peter Driftmier, RSW, for this one hour in person session to explore the benefits of journaling to support mental health. Writing about what we think and how we feel is an introspective practice and an effective tool in taking care of your mental health. This session is designed to approach journaling in a variety of ways and from a variety of mediums. No writing or creating experience is needed, just a story to tell! Whether you're looking to process everyday experiences, reflect on your goals, or simply create a space for personal expression, this session will offer you the tools to integrate journaling into your life in a meaningful way.
Registration is required. This series is offered in person only. If registration is full, please email Leigh lbodnarrollings@mtroyal.ca to be added to the waitlist.
Register: here
Location: TBD
Date: Thursday October 15, 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Description:
Join Dan Pichette, owner of Alchemy Yoga Cochrane, for this series of crystal sound bowl healing meditations to help connect within, release stress and regulate the nervous system. Participants will settle into a comfortable meditation, enjoying the power of sound healing with quartz crystal bowls. The tones produced by crystal bowls are heard by the ear and the vibrations are felt by the body affecting the energy centres (chakras) for healing and balancing. Participants are encouraged to bring a blanket and/or bolster. Yoga mats will be provided.
Registration is required. This series is offered in person only. If registration is full, please email Leigh lbodnarrollings@mtroyal.ca to be added to the waitlist.
Register: here
Location: RLLC Maker Studio
Date: Wednesday October 21, 28, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Description:
Get Organized and Creative!
Join us for this hands-on workshop that blends the structured productivity of bullet journaling (BUJO) with the imaginative freedom of junk journaling (JUJO). Whether you're a goal-setter, memory-maker, or simply craving a creative outlet, this session will help you stay organized while letting your imagination run wild.
You'll learn bullet journaling fundamentals like task organization, habit tracking, and goal setting - then dive into junk journaling techniques such as layering textures, creative collaging, and decorative expression.
All materials are provided, but you're welcome to bring your own mementos, scrapbook supplies, or bits of ephemera to personalize your journal.
Registration is required. This series is offered in person only. If registration is full, please email Leigh lbodnarrollings@mtroyal.ca to be added to the waitlist.
Location: Between the EA Building and RLLC Building
Date: Wednesday October 28, 2026
Time: Drop In Between 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Description:
MAN VAN® will be on campus offering free baseline PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood testing for men ages 40-70*, which can help with the early detection of prostate cancer. All men over 18 can receive blood sugar, blood pressure, mental wellness check and waist circumference measurements.
Registration is not required.
Informal Employee Meetup Groups
Enjoy a relaxed, informal gathering for employees to connect with coworkers, unwind, and enjoy some creative time together.
Location: The Knuckle (EA 3001)
Date: Second Tuesday of Every Month
September 8, October 13, November 10, and December 8, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Description:
Please note: This is an employee-led social group, not a class or workshop. No instructor will be present. Participants are responsible for bringing all of their own materials and supplies.
Bring your project, settle in, and enjoy some creative time with colleagues.
Community Involvement
Join the MRU team to participate in the group blood donation. Follow these steps to register:
- Visit Canadian Blood Services to log in or create an account.
- Navigate to the 'Partners' link on the left side navigation bar.
- Search 'Mount Royal Staff Association' to join the team. Note ALL MRU employees are eligible to participate, pending Canadian Blood Services donor guidelines.
- James Parsons is the team champion and contact point for any questions related to the program.
- View upcoming team appointments and book your donation.
Dates: Details To Come
Location: Penn West Plaza, Calgary
Times: TBD
Pickup outside Cont. Ed. building
Description: Making a life-saving blood donation is easy with Canadian Blood Services. The Life Bus provides transportation from campus, to the donation centre in Calgary, and back to campus again. Spaces on the bus are limited and registration is required. You do not need to be an MRSA member to participate. Check back throughout the year for upcoming group blood donation opportunities or contact James Parsons - jjparsons@mtroyal.ca, team champion, with questions.
Donors, please review the information brochure in preparation for your appointment.