Wellbeing Break Commitment Pilot
Join students, faculty, and staff from UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses in a shared commitment to foster a vibrant campus culture that prioritizes wellbeing.
What is the Wellbeing Break Commitment Pilot?
Launching in winter 2024 following extensive consultation with key partners, this pilot initiative involves UBC departments committing to provide a 2-5 minute wellbeing break every 60 minutes during stationary or sedentary meetings, workshops, and classes.
"It's amazing how a short 5-minutes can make such an impact to our energy levels and overall morale." – Wellbeing Break participant
By participating, you can contribute to a culture of embedding wellbeing on campus, aligning with UBC’s broader health and wellbeing goals as outlined in the Wellbeing Strategic Framework, Student Strategic Plan, and Focus on People 2025.
The Wellbeing Break Commitment Pilot invites participation from UBC students, faculty, and staff across Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
- Request a movement break from the Move U Crew at UBC Vancouver or Okanagan.
- Play one of the UBC Rec Movement Break videos during your breaks.
- Guide your group through Not Myself Today's mindful moments to ground and relax.
- Incorporate deskercises or attend HR's Ergo Your Posture workshop.
- Lead an icebreaker with movement to foster movement and social connection.
- Get creative and create your own unique wellbeing break!
Beyond the immediate benefits of increased productivity, engagement, muscle and joint comfort, and concentration, the initiative demonstrates your department’s commitment to championing wellbeing in workplace and learning environments.
Recent data shows that,
- 85% of UBC students aren’t meeting the sedentary behaviour recommendation of the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. (2021 Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey)
- 47% of UBC students are considered to have low mental wellbeing according to a 14-item measurement tool. (Mental Health & Resilience Dashboard)
- A 5-minute break in class can reduce stress, improve productivity, enhance mood, and uplift mental wellbeing.
For faculty and staff,
- One in four UBC faculty and staff are currently meeting the sedentary behaviour recommendation of the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (2021 Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey)
- One in four UBC faculty and staff reported low mental wellbeing according to a 14-item self-reported measurement tool.
- Taking brief mental breaks in the workplace can reduce stress, improve mood, enhance productivity, and boost mental wellbeing.
- Teaching practices promoting wellbeing have been shown to improve student learning outcomes.
We are always looking for units and departments to get involved. Email physical.activity@ubc.ca to learn more. Pilot groups will receive sample communications, resources, and an evaluation process to make it as easy for you to implement this commitment within your team or department.
Explore the links below for more information about the Wellbeing Break Commitment:
- Wellbeing Breaks in the Classroom
- Wellbeing Breaks in the Workplace
- Wellbeing Break Commitment Pilot Toolkit:
Questions?
We are always looking for units and departments to get involved. Email physical.activity@ubc.ca to learn more.