For the 2025-2026 academic year, MeWeRTH and Healthy Workplace are collaborating on a Lunch and Learn Living Well Series. Presentations will be from 12:00-1:00 in Dunton Tower, 2017. Please fill out the registration form(s) so we can confirm your attendance.
Dr. Rachel Burns will be presenting on Wednesday, October 1st
Abstract: Maintaining Wellness with Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic illness can present ongoing challenges. For example, managing a chronic illness often involves engaging in healthy behaviours. However, despite our intentions, most of us to not engage in healthy behaviours as much as we would like. During this session, attendees will learn about strategies to facilitate engagement in healthy behaviours. Strategies for enhancing psychological wellbeing will also be shared.
Dr. Johanna Peetz will be presenting on Wednesday, November 5th
Abstract: Talking about Money in Relationships
Finances are a difficult topic to talk about, even with one’s partner. However, lack of or poor communication about finances can increase the risk of relationship conflict and lead people to worry more about their economic situation. In this talk, I present recent work examining what couples talk about when talking about finances, how frequent and high quality of communication about money relates to other relationship outcomes and to financial stress, and discuss possible maladaptive behaviors when communication breaks down (financial infidelity and financial snooping). Together, these studies showcase the importance of financial communication in relationships and provide concrete examples of how to address financial concerns, discuss values and financial decisions.
Dr. Cheryl Harasymchuk will be presenting on Wednesday, Febuary 4th
Abstract: Making and Keeping Friends in Adulthood and Wellbeing
In this presentation, Dr. Harasymchuk will describe the wellbeing benefits of making and keeping friends in adulthood. As well, the challenges for initiating and maintaining friendships in adults will be explained in the context of major life events. To conclude the presentation, tips for managing a robust friendship social network will be discussed.
Dr. Anne Bowker and Dr. Janet Mantler will be presenting on Wednesday, March 4th
Abstract: We need to talk about menopause: Real stories from women’s lived experiences
“We don’t talk about menopause” was a common response among the 60 women that we interviewed about their experience of the menopausal transition. Menopause is still a taboo topic. We’re not supposed to talk about it. When we do, it’s presented as a deficiency or a disease, rather than a natural part of the aging process for fifty percent of the population. We wanted to start a conversation, to encourage women to talk about their own experiences by reading about the experiences of others. In our interviews, women talked about their peri-menopause and post-menopausal symptoms, the impact that this had on their work and personal lives, who they talked with (if anyone) and how this affected their thoughts about the aging process and their body image. We want to share some of that conversation with you. And that conversation is for everyone – men and women, regardless of age, because these conversations can help reduce the stigma and better support the transition.