CommonHealth Wellnote

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 information 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 CommonHealth website to see how CommonHealth can help you. If you’re looking to book an event in August, connect sooner rather than later to ensure you get a date that works for you.

Click here to view this week’s CommonHealth Wellnote, and check out this week’s highlights below.

NOTES:

• Spotlight on Summer Safety: Medications & Heat Sensitivity
  What? Yes! Some medications may affect your heat tolerance and sun sensitivity. Many commonly used medications can interfere with the body’s cooling system and leave you susceptible to dangerous heat illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Additionally, some medications may increase sun sensitivity making sunburn or a rash more likely. If you are taking a medication that could be problematic, it’s a good idea to set aside time to discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist. Review the above CommonHealth attachment for some examples of commonly used medications that can make it harder for your body to handle the heat and sun (not a complete list). Sources: Consumer Reports, AARP, CDC

• Try It This Week: Water Drinking Challenge
  Stay well hydrated. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math and difficulty focusing. YOUR CHALLENGE? Drink 64 ounces of water as many days as you can this week. Find a convenient tracking sheet here. For more hydration hacks, check out this webinar from Burnalong.

• Get your BACK ON TRACK CommonHealth’s Guide to a Healthier Back
  Don’t be derailed by back pain! Learn simple steps to help prevent injury and reduce pain. Contact your CommonHealth Agency Coordinator (or HR Benefits Administrator) to schedule a presentation at your location. Visit the CommonHealth website to learn more!

• Free On-demand Webinar with WeightWatchers experts
  If vacations and holidays tend to upend your healthy habits, check out WeightWatchers experts’ Secrets for a Healthy Summer. You can watch here anytime.

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

• Alexandria – Najeeb Baha
• Annandale – Matthew “Tank” McCarl
• College Staff – Cecil “C.J.” Jackson
• Fairfax – Faith Redd Walker
• Loudoun – Kimberly T. Wright
• Manassas – ThuyTien Ngo-Nguyen
• Medical Education Campus (Springfield) –Emily Miller
• Woodbridge –  Dahlia Henry-Tett

Submitted by:
Dahlia Henry-Tett, Chief Wellness Officer, employeewellness@nvcc.edu