The Constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO) states that, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.
In recent years, the notion of well-being has become more important since the pandemic brought about more inner reflection on our physical and mental health.
There are a few simple ways to make us and others feel better in our everyday lives. Gratitude is one tool that can have a positive impact on our lives. It has been proven scientifically that people who cultivate gratitude regularly are better equipped to resist stress and anxiety. A dedicated Gratitude Wall will be placed in Petal 2 during the entire week. Take a moment to fill it out with words or messages of gratitude.
During Health and Well-being Week, let us all think about the simple ways we can have a positive impact on our own lives and the lives of others.
We invite you to check out our programme below and hope that you will find interest in the activities proposed.
In addition, feel free to book your own interactive space where you can present and share a personal passion with others (art and craft activities, games, yoga, meditation, etc).
One word - ENJOY!
Please note that the events planned are reserved for all Institute students, faculty and staff members only.
Monday, 24 to Friday, 28 April 2023 - Meditation / Yoga session
with Claudia Seymour or Eliane Minassian
Time: 9:00-9:30
Where: Davis Hall
Start your day on a positive note. Join us for meditation, cardiac coherence exercises or yoga!
Monday, 24 April 2023
Let us all consciously and positively impact the start of this week (i.e. offer a smile to someone you don’t know, offer a compliment, participate in the Gratitude Wall)
Tuesday, 25 April 2023 - Workshop: Expression, Connection and Well-being
Flavien Renaud, La Voix du Geste
Time: 17:00-20:00
Where: Room S12 (next to the FAB)
Please confirm your participation (only possible in person) via this registration link
Min. 8 participants
Max. 15 participants - first come, first served
Snacks and drinks will be provided
Description :
This workshop offers the opportunity to explore the possibilities you have of expressing yourself. You will learn to enrich your range of possibilities in order to better master what you express and thus make yourself better heard and understood.
We will use playful ways to develop body and voice expression, using tools from different disciplines like physical theater, improvisation and voice training.
This workshop will help you:
Flavien Renaud is an Institute alumnus, with a PhD degree in Anthropology and Sociology. He has been practicing improvisation theater for 10 years in Geneva and Paris, creating troupes and performing regularly in shows. Since he completed his PhD, he has dedicated himself to the performing arts. He followed the International School of Acting and Creativity in Australia. Having trained at the “Pleine Voix” school in France, Flavien also has experience in vocal expression. He regularly gives workshops in improvisation theater, clown and creativity, and he coaches people in vocal expression.
Tuesday, 25 April 2023 - Bouldering activity with the Student's Outdoors Initiative
Time: 18:00
Where: Totem Climbing in Versoix. This place is reachable by train (8 minutes walk away from the train station, after a 14 minutes train ride from Sécheron), or by bike (30 minutes away from the Institute)
Description :
Bouldering is a free and fun form of climbing, where we don't need ropes nor harnesses. Instead, big mats are there to catch a fall. It's a very complete sport that trains both mind and body in solving bouldering problems. Come to spend a convivial and nice evening and try out boulders with friends.
Wednesday, 26 April 2023 - A morning swim in the lake of Geneva with the Student's Outdoors Initiative
Time: 08:00
Where: Parc Perle du lac, in front of the restaurant. People should bring a swimming suit, a towel, and warm dry clothes.
Description :
What to expect from an early swim in the lake? A refreshing, but amazing feeling. Start your day in the calm of the morning, with the sun rising and reflecting in the lake's waters. Cold water also has great impacts on our bodies and health. We will bring some tea to warm up after the swim.
Wednesday, 26 April 2023 - Kiosk in front of the cafeteria. The Impact of Healthy Nutrition and Well-being
Banu ROGER, Novae Nutrition and Dietetics Manager
When: 12:15 - 14:00
Where: Petal 2 - in front of the Cafeteria
Please confirm your participation via this registration link
Description :
This workshop will highlight the amount of added sugars hidden in our daily nutrition. It will give you keys to lower your sugar intake and provide a place to exchange about a more balanced diet.
Wednesday, 26 April 2023 - The Wisdom of Our Nervous System: How Neuroscience Can Help Us Manage Stress and Improve Performance (hybride)
Susanna Harkonen Registered Psych. Counselor, MSc (Econ.), M.Ed.
When: 16:15-18:00
Where: S8
Please confirm your participation, in person or online, via this registration link
Min. 8 participants
Description :
Taking a fresh look at the way we develop and the way our brains connect with our bodies gives us insight into how we can become our best self at work and at home. Research has shown that mental challenges and stress are not all in the mind. Instead, they linger in your body, and have a significant impact on your health and higher brain functions such as learning, focus and communication with others.
This session focuses on the biology and neuroscience behind mental health and well-being. In addition to the latest theories on mind-body-heart connection, you will learn how to apply a variety of techniques to calm down your nervous system and bring yourself to balance. This, in return, will improve your cognitive skills, performance and overall well-being.
This 1.5 hour session includes theory and practice and plenty of time for Q&A. It also includes a short optional questionnaire that will help you determine your default nervous system reaction. We will review the aggregated results during the workshop and discuss how to interpret your personal results and what actions to take. Awareness of your default nervous system tendency will help you with learning, relationships and much more. If you are interested in participating in this session please respond to this anonymous questionnaire.
Wednesday, 26 April 2023 - Cooking session with the GISA Welfare
by Sangeeta Madhukar Godbole
When: 18:30-20:00
Where: Grand Morillon 2nd floor Kitchen
Please confirm your participation, in person or online, via this registration link
Max 10 participants + Welfare Comittee members - the floor residents get priority for registration.
External students please contact GISA Welfare <gisa.welfare@graduateinstitute.ch> to organise your entrance to the building
Description :
Lets meet up, chat, exchange flavours of our cultures, cook and enjoy a meal together.
Sangeeta from GISA Welfare will lead a small cook-together session around lentils. Why lentils? They are a good source of easy-to-digest proteins for vegetarians. She loves Indian home-style cooking with delicate flavours using very few spices.
Thursday, 27 April 2023 - Communication with Impact (hybride)
Kristin Vuitton, Executive Coach, KV Leadership Management
When: 12:15-14:00
Where: A2
Please confirm your participation, in person or online, via this registration link
Min. 8 participants
Description :
Do you want to progress in your communication with colleagues, teams, managers but also in your private life, speaking in front of a group or managing difficult interactions? This workshop is a great opportunity to learn how to express yourself with ease and obtain the aimed impact, while remaining calm and focused.
The workshop is based on a mix of theory and exchange, with concrete examples and tips & tricks for everyone.
We will touch on
Thursday, 27 April 2023 - Workshop : Discover your Ikigaï and “Raison d’Etre”
Carole de Bazignan, Director of EVASE and facilitator
When: 17:00-20:00
Where: Davis Hall
Please confirm your participation via this registration link
Min. 8 participants
Max. 20 participants - first come first served
Snacks and drinks will be provided
Description :
Ikigai is a Japanese philosophy that has enveloped the way Japanese people live. This workshop will help participants know themselves better., to unlock their potential, to find their way, to shape their journey. Asking yourself the right questions, focusing on yourself, knowing yourself – these are the foundations for fulfillment. Each individual makes their own path and knows their desires, their sensitivities and their aspirations to bring to the world the best of themselves, themself.
This 3-hour workshop is meant to help you find the convergent point between what you love, what you are good at, what you could be paid for and what the world needs, and identify the next steps you could take to move towards your raison d'être.
Friday, 28 April 2023 - Potluck picnic
When: 18:00
Where: at the park by the lake (if the weather is nice) / at de Picchiotto Common room
Please confirm your participation via this registration link
Min. 5 participants
Description :
Let us end the Well-Being week in good spirits and enjoy each other’s culinary specialities and contributions.
Outside wellbeing week but very relevant
Thursday, 4 May 2023 - Presentation : post-COVID then and now? (hybride)
Dre Mayssam NEHME, Physician at the Division of Primary Care Medicine at the Geneva University Hospitals, Service de médecine de premier recours- HUG, Consultation Post-COVID
When: 16:15-17:30
Where: A2
Please confirm your participation via this registration link
Min. 8 participants
Description :
This presentation is about the lessons learned and the impact of COVID-19 on the general population. This session will be animated by Dr. Mayssam Nehme, physician at the Division of Primary Care Medicine at the Geneva University Hospitals. Dr. Nehme coordinates the post-COVID consultation as well as the RAFAEL platform for adolescents and adults on post-COVID condition. She will be discussing the evolution of symptoms and the current and future challenges, based on the clinical work as well as the longitudinal follow-ups of study cohorts during the pandemic, and those specifically affected by post-COVID conditions.
We look forward to see you there!
For more information, please email wellbeing-support@graduateinstitute.ch