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CommonHealth Weekly Wellnote

May 2, 2024 / Get Well

How can your Virginia State Employee Wellness Program help? The CommonHealth programs and campaigns cover a variety of health topics and are available in a range of formats to meet the needs of different workplaces. Highly skilled wellness consultants provide the latest on stress, sleep, nutrition, exercise and more for faculty/staff meetings, special events, conferences, benefit fairs, safety meetings, lunch and learns, etc. They provide traditional, in-person presentations and displays as well as virtual presentations, on-demand videos and seasonal health-related challenges that are fun and engaging. Visit the website to see how CommonHealth can help you. If you’re looking to book an event in May, connect sooner rather than later to ensure you get a date that works for you.

Check out this week’s updates from CommonHealth.

  • Spring 2024 Walk Week at NOVA wrapped up about a month ago, which means now is the perfect time to stay connected (or reconnect!) with walking buddies across our campuses and locations. Here’s a link to maps of a selection of NOVA trails. If you’re not sure how to get started with launching a walking group, check out this CommonHealth infographic or connect with your campus coordinator listed below.
  • Did you know that our feet are very complex? The foot has 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 tendons and ligaments. Our feet literally carry us through our day-to-day activities. CommonHealth’s “Put Your Best Foot Forward” handout includes tips on how to care for your feet and how to prevent and alleviate foot concerns.
  • A well-balanced diet typically incorporates plenty of fruits and vegetables; sometimes, though, eating the same foods prepared in the same ways can be a bit boring. Smoothies with fruits and/or veggies are a great way to switch up how you get your daily fill. CommonHealth partner WeightWatchers has some delicious and easy-to-follow smoothie recipes to help you out!
    • All benefits-eligible employees, spouses and adult dependents get an exclusive WeightWatchers discount of 50% off the retail price of membership plans and can join now for as low as $9.75 per month. The Special Monthly Pricing and the Commonwealth of Virginia monthly discount are not open to retirees, their spouses and dependents, wage employees or Local Choice members.

Common Health Weekly Wellnote Masthead with rainbow swish on black background. Below header: commonhealth dot virginia dot gov Top panel: Start A Walking Group (with stock photo of colleagues dressed in suits walking in a crosswalk, presumably during a lunch break) Physical activity doesn't need to be complicated. Something as simple as a daily brisk walk can help you live a healthier life. Walking regularly can help reduce risks associated with chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, help you maintain a healthy weight, strengthen bones and muscles, increase energy levels, elevate mood, help you sleep, reduce stress, and improve balance. If you crave solitude, walking on your own might be the perfect workout. If you'd rather not go it alone, bring others along on your walking adventures. Getting support from others by walking in a group can actually help you stick with it. Starting a group is easy, and the rewards are well worth a little extra effort. In addition to all of the health benefits, walking with others provides extra safety, socialization, accountability, friendship, and motivation. Simply spread the word and get organized, and soon, you'll be walking toward better health. Caption under stock photo: See attachment for additional details on starting a walking group. Three shorter columns below: Back on Track Spring Event Planning (with cartoon drawing of a monthly calendar, with different types of events color-coded in pink, green, yellow, and blue) Do you have a staff meeting or employee event coming up this spring? Get in touch with your CommonHealth agency coordinator (or HR benefits administrator) to add CommonHealth to your event agenda. It would be a great time to schedule Back on Track, our new educational campaign focused on activity and pain prevention! Help Your Feet Feel Their Best Our poor, overworked feet! We mistreat them terribly — standing on them for hours; walking on hard, unyielding surfaces; cramming them into shoes that don’t fit right; etc. It’s time to change how we treat our feet! Learn more about common foot problems, how to select a good fitting shoe, a workout for happy feet, and more. Green CTA button: Get Happier Feet Infographic at bottom: Love High Heels? To minimize the damage of wearing them: 1. Wear them less often or reserve them for special occasions. (next to cartoon drawing of a calendar) 2. Commute to work and events in comfortable walking shoes. (next to cartoon drawing of a pair of sneakers) 3. Regularly stretch the toes, calves, and Achilles tendons. (next to drawing of a foot arching upward, so as to stretch the calf muscle) A Little Bit Healthier This Week (against transparent background of a pink smoothie and various fresh fruits) Everyone says, “Eat more fruits and vegetables.” Maybe you love veggies but want something different; maybe they are not your favorite. Smoothies are a refreshing way to enjoy those fruits and veggies. Greens (spinach and kale), cauliflower, and carrots can be added without changing flavor much. Protein can be added with Greek yogurt. Liquids can include water, milk, or juice. A refreshing smoothie packed with nutrients includes: 6-8 frozen cherries, 5-6 frozen pineapple chunks, 3/4 cup of greens, 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt, and enough liquid to get the desired thickness. Keep in mind, flavored yogurt and juice increase added sugars. Send us your favorite smoothie recipes! In footer: Contact CommonHealth: wellness at dhrm dot virginia dot gov

For questions regarding this week’s communication or the CommonHealth program, please reach out to your respective campus coordinator below: