Make Your Meetings More Active

  • Include items on your meeting agenda that require participants to get out of their seats (breakout groups, stand and write ideas on an easel).
  • Choose movement friendly meeting locations (walkable neighborhoods, on-site gym, nearby park).
  • Hire a professional instructor (pilates, yoga, tai chi, stretching, Zumba) to lead a class before or during the meeting.
  • Point out the stairs and encourage attendees to use them. Consider including the location of stairs in meeting directions or putting arrows to the stairs in front of elevators.
  • Organize a group walk early in the morning, during a break or before/after dinner.
  • Consider incorporating standing ovations after each speaker to encourage participants to stand and stretch.

Standing Breaks

  • At least once an hour, participants should be encouraged to stand up to improve blood circulation, boost metabolism, and relieve physical discomfort from sitting for prolonged periods of time.
  • Announce that it is fine to stand up and move around, as needed. If possible, provide raised tables for those electing to stand during the meeting.

Stretch Breaks

  • Stretch breaks help participants wake up their bodies and minds.
  • Encourage people to stand up and stretch in place.
  • Try playing a Healthy UC Davis WakeBreak video! These instructor-led stretch videos range from 4 to 15 minutes. 

Breathing Exercise

  • Focused breathing is an energizing activity that can help relax and clear your mind. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

Suggested Activity Agendas

LENGTH OF MEETINGSTANDING BREAKSTRETCH BREAKSBREATHING BREAKSMOVEMENT BREAKSWALKING BREAKS
50 - 60 minx x  
2 - 4 hoursxxxx 
All Dayxxxxx

Based on feedback, we're providing a variety of resources for specific disabilities. Please note that this list is not all encompassing. To receive individual consultation, please reach out to dmshelp@ucdavis.edu

Mental Health

Disability Management assists managers/supervisors and applicants and employees with mental health disabilities in the interactive process to explore and implement effective accommodations. 

Mental health disabilities often have stigma attached inside and outside of the workplace. It is difficult to assist and accommodate what cannot be seen. However, accommodations must be considered without judgement, just as with physical disabilities. Please contact a Disability Management coordinator for assistance and support in providing these accommodations. 

Examples of Mental Health Accommodations 

  • Flexible workplace
  • Leave
  • More frequent breaks
  • Removal of distractions
  • Private Space
  • Staff diversity trainings
  • Reduced hours
  • Reduced noise
  • Organization software
  • Adjustment in supervisory methods
  • Matching learning/communication method
  • Emotional support animal

Resources 

Academic and Staff Assistance Program (ASAP): https://www.hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/asap 

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/Home 

UC Davis WorkLife: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/worklife-wellness 

Free Training/Education

Return to Work After COVID-19 – Focus on Mental Health and Cognitive Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ5Rvtv_Huo 

CDC Mental Health in the Workplace: https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/tools-resources/pdfs/WHRC-Mental-Health-and-Stress-in-the-Workplac-Issue-Brief-H.pdf 

Movie – Call Me Crazy: A Five Film: https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/call-me-crazy-a-five-film