The Daily Bruin

Do you have questions about your finances? You can protect your assets, minimize estate taxes, and take care of the people and causes that matter to you.

We’ll show you how. Join us on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon in Canyon Commons for a free estate planning seminar. Light refreshments will be provided.

The event is provided as a service to the community by George Fox University and Stephen C. Palmer, Attorney at Law.

Please RSVP to Tracy Fabel, associate director of planned giving, at tfabel@georgefox.edu or 503-544-2130.

To combat daily stress effectively, consider incorporating microbreaks into your workday. These short, intentional pauses can make a big difference in managing stress and preventing burnout.

Why Microbreaks Matter
Microbreaks are brief pauses – lasting anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes – that help reset your focus and reduce stress. Studies show they can improve energy, focus and overall well-being. For example, taking just 10 minutes to step away can reduce fatigue, while light movement every 30 minutes can alleviate physical discomfort and boost heart health. Even a quick 30-second stretch or breathing exercise can lower stress levels and improve concentration.

How to Integrate Microbreaks into Your Day
There’s no single formula for taking a microbreak; what works best depends on you. It might be a few minutes of deep breathing, a quick walk, a stretch, or even pausing to look out a window. Schedule five-minute gaps between meetings, invite others to join you for your microbreak. Here are some more examples of microbreaks you can take.

Signs that it’s time to take a mental health break
It can be challenging to break old habits and establish new ones. If you tend to resist taking breaks, here are some common signs you should be aware of that it’s time to take one. Remember, consistent small steps to manage stress can add up to a big improvement in overall health and productivity.

Take control of your healthcare by understanding your insurance coverage. Knowing what preventive care is included, scheduling appointments early, and confirming your providers are in-network can help you make informed decisions. These steps can maximize your benefits and help you save money while receiving the care you need. Learn more here.

Have more questions? Reach out to Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu.

This article explains the distinct roles of primary care offices, urgent care clinics, and emergency departments in providing medical care. Each serves a specific purpose and is suited to different health needs.

By understanding your options ahead of time, you can make quicker, more informed decisions, potentially saving both time and money when seeking care. Be informed and empowered to choose the right care at the right time.

Have more questions? Reach out to Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu

Calling all knitters, crocheters, felters and sewists! The Needle Nerds will be hosting a Crafting Community Hour on Wednesdays in Murdock Library from noon to 1 p.m. throughout the spring semester.

Bring your latest project; all small crafts and abilities are welcome! Email Sarah Willhite at lwillhite@georgefox.edu with questions, or just check in with us during one of our open meetings.

SpiL Trips are a travel opportunity to challenge students to see, taste, listen, discover, and learn through service alongside our global Christian partners in the context of their cultures, communities and complexities. On these trips, they can model Christian peacemaking, empowerment and community development at its best!

Following are trips you can apply to be a part of:

• Yakama Reservation: During this spring break opportunity (March 22-29), students will be able to experience Yakama Reservation’s community and the ministries of Mending Wings through their SLAM (Students Learning About Missions) program. This trip costs $390 with minimal additional fundraising, and the application is due on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Apply here.
• Philadelphia: Learn and serve the Philly Dream Center on art and design-related service projects, urban immersion and compassionate outreach, and join in on a possible Hurricane Ida disaster relief project in partnership with World Renew. This trip will take place May 8-13, costing $790 and fundraising. There are only a few spots left on this trip! Apply to go here.
• Cuba: Experience cultural immersion and service-learning opportunities around psychological research and missions with Dr. Kelly Chang and partners of Forward Edge international. This trip last from April 29 to May 20, costing $1,400 and fundraising. Fill out the interest form here.

More information can be found at georgefox.edu/SpilTrips. If you have any questions, reach out to spirituallife@georgefox.edu.

This is a friendly reminder for employees regarding tuition remission and institutional scholarships. If you have a spouse or dependent who will benefit from tuition remission in the upcoming school year, they are not eligible to participate in Scholarship Summit, hosted by the undergraduate admissions office.

If you have questions or need further clarification, please contact Lauren Hill at 503-554-2245 or hilll@georgefox.edu.

Providence Health Plan service representatives will be on-site in Canyon Commons 101 on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide support and answer your questions. They will help with:

• Benefit questions regarding topics like deductible, out-of-pocket max, coverage for various services or behavioral health benefits
• Claims questions (status of a claim)
• Understanding care options like Express Care and Express Care Virtual
• Information on member support programs like Health Coaching, Care Management, member perks and discount programs

Between 10 a.m. and noon, the Providence Bridge Team can:

• Help with finding a Providence provider or transitioning care
• Schedule a visit with a Providence Medical Group provider of your choice
• Have your medical records transferred, prescriptions refilled, and labs or imaging ordered

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to help you navigate your plan. Sign up today to meet with a representative. Make sure to scroll to Feb. 5.

Reach out to Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu if you have any questions.

On the MLK Day holiday (Monday, Jan. 20), the Office for Spiritual Life invites students and employees to join us for a day of community service and learning with SOLVE and other community partners in Portland. Space is limited, so be the first to sign up! Please complete this form to register.

Here is a tentative schedule of the MLK Day plan:

• 9 a.m.: Meet up, continental breakfast and departure from SpiL (Barclay) House; on the drive to Portland, we’ll listen, reflect and discuss a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• 9:45 a.m.: Meet at Irving Park in Portland for orientation
• 10 a.m.: Join with SOLVE for MLK Day service project (beautification/litter clean-up
  project)
• Noon: Lunch and discussion on service as an opportunity for spiritual connection and growth
• 1 p.m.: Visit community partner organization serving Portland
• 2 p.m.: Debrief and drive back
• 2:45 p.m.: Arrive back at Newberg campus

Undergraduate students who participate will be eligible to receive chapel-elective credit for participation. RSVP on Helper-Helper.

Contact Rusty St. Cyr for more information at rstcyr@georgefox.edu.

Join us tomorrow (Wednesday) in Hoover 250 from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. for a time of worship, listening to God’s Spirit, and seeking to discern God’s truth together. Nathanael Ankeny will be hosting. Chapel credit will be offered.

Please reach out to Nathanael at nankeny@georgefox.edu with any questions.

The Community Life Fund is now open and taking requests for the second semester. Any activities done on Nov. 25-29 and Dec. 2-6 may be requested for reimbursements but must be submitted by the end of the month. Approvals will start next week, so keep an eye out for your approval emails then.

Please note that office hours have changed to Mondays from 1 to 2 p.m. and tentatively Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Janessa Antemann at ascvpfinance@georgefox.edu.

Have you thought about studying abroad? This is a great opportunity to find out more about some of our programs with Veritas.

A representative from Veritas will be on campus from 5 to 6 p.m. today (Tuesday) in Stevens 109. Veritas program locations include Costa Rica, Czech Republic, France, New Zealand, Peru, Rome, Spain and others.

Stop by for a chance to connect with our representative, get information, and ask questions.

Questions? Contact Wendi Upjohn-Hankel at wupjohn@georgefox.edu or David Martinez at dmartinez@georgefox.edu.

Looking for a way to stay active and connect with others? The GroupX Run Club is here to bring runners of all levels together in a supportive and encouraging environment. Our first run will be for 40 minutes tomorrow (Wednesday) at 6:30 a.m. We hope to see you there. We will meet outside the Hadlock Student Center.

Why join?

• To build a sense of community while working toward your goals
• To stay accountable with group support
• Enjoy the benefits of running in a low-pressure, inclusive setting

Whether you’re new to running or looking to continue your journey with a group, this is a chance to connect, stay motivated, and enjoy the process with others. Sign up here.

Contact fitness@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Starting today, we are launching a staff-only Functional Fitness class, designed for all fitness levels! Join us in Hadlock every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 12:30 p.m. Whether you’re flying solo or bringing a coworker (or spouse!) along for the fun, this is the perfect way to kickstart those positive habits for 2025.

Spots are limited, so grab yours before they’re gone! Sign up here.

Contact Kelsey Cantrall at kcantrall@georgefox.edu if you have any questions.

Start the new year by investing in yourself! Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, relationship problems, or you’ve faced tough challenges in the past, the Health and Counseling Center is here to support you.

We offer free, confidential, in-person counseling to help you navigate whatever you’re going through. Take the first step toward a healthier, happier you by reaching out today!

To make an appointment, call 503-554-2340. Contact Bill Buhrow at bbuhrow@georgefox.edu if you have any questions.

The Office for Spiritual Life is excited to offer a SpiL mentoring program, an opportunity for students to connect in meaningful conversations about faith and life with a dedicated George Fox staff or faculty member.

Through this program, students can foster a growing relationship with Christ alongside a trusted mentor. Students will be matched with a dedicated staff or faculty member, with whom they will have weekly meetings lasting approximately one hour, spanning eight weeks within the semester.

Participants can also receive SpiL credit for joining the program. To sign up, please fill out this form by Thursday, Jan. 30.

If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the spiritual life office at spirituallife@georgefox.edu.

Class.georgefox.edu is a great resource for anyone needing to look up details on a class, including meeting times and location, teaching modality, enrollment limit and waitlist numbers, course description, instructor info and add/drop deadlines. Just click on a class to see all the details.

Nick Sullivan is putting together a team for Hadlock’s floor hockey league that starts next week and is looking for players. Both students and employees of all skill levels are welcome to join. Send an email to nsullivan@georgefox.edu if you are interested. Thanks!

Join Jennifer Lundman, MSW, NBC-HWC, in a three-week Providence Basecamp series designed to help identify a goal that purposefully connects with you. This complimentary class also explores a variety of goal-setting models where you’ll experiment with each to find which one works best.

This virtual series is hosted on Wednesdays starting Jan. 22, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Registration is required. Use this link to learn more and register.

Due to the forecasted freezing temperatures this week, we want to remind everyone to take extra precautions when out and about.

Parking Lots: Parking lots and walkways may become slippery as freezing temperatures cause surfaces to ice over. Please drive cautiously and reduce your speed in parking areas to prevent accidents.

Shaded Areas: Be especially cautious in shaded areas, as they will freeze first and stay icy longer. These spots can be particularly dangerous, so stay alert for any hidden patches of ice.

Stairs and Walkways: Stairs, handrails and walkways are more likely to accumulate ice. Please use handrails when available, take small, careful steps, and wear shoes with good traction to avoid slips and falls.

Your safety is our priority. Please stay vigilant and take your time when moving around in these conditions. Stay warm and safe!