CommonHealth Wellnote

December 20, 2024 / Get Well

How can your Virginia State Employee Wellness Program help? CommonHealth’s 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 January, connect sooner rather than later to ensure you get a date that works for you. Click here to view this week’s CommonHealth Wellnote. Check out this week’s highlights below.

Happy Holidays,  NOVA! CommonHealth Wishes You a Restful and Enjoyable  Break.

 NOTES:

  • Spotlight on Healthy Holidays: Less Stress

The holidays are a time for family and cheer, but making sure the house is clean, the food is ready, and the presents are wrapped and ready to be opened can be overwhelming. These factors can bring unwanted stress and depression in a time meant for happiness. Here are some important, practical tips that can help minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. They may even help you enjoy the holidays more than expected. 

  • Plan ahead. Decide what you can attend in person or virtually. 
  • Say no. With holiday commitments, it’s ok to say no to some of them. 
  • Plan spending.Make a budget and stick to it.
  • Create relaxing surroundings. Play music, light candles, and open blinds. 
  • Share feelings. Accept your feelings and open up about them to others. If needed,  don’t hesitate to use your employee available resources (e.g., employee assistance programs (EAPs) and TimelyCare). 
  • Respect differences. Focus on similarities and replace tension with love. 
  • Be realistic. You can only do so much. Relax and forget about perfection. 
  • Maintain healthy habits. Make time to exercise and eat healthy snacks. Click here for the Finish Well attachment for tips to eat healthy on the go! 
  • Take a break. Don’t forget about your own needs. Laughter is a great way to relieve stress and tension! 

Holidays are meant to be a fun, enjoyable time with friends and family. These tips can help ensure you truly enjoy your holidays when stress starts to set in. 

Try It: Sloppy Joe Spaghetti Squash Bowls
This super-satisfying meal is comprised of a large spaghetti squash that’s halved and roasted, then filled with a saucy, lightly sweetened sloppy Joe turkey mixture and gooey cheddar cheese.  

Learn more about special pricing available to benefits-eligible employees, their spouses, and adult dependents at WW.com/CommonHealth.

Try this recipe soon!

Benefits Buzz:  First Responder Wellness Resources
While first responders are trained to handle critical incidents, the daily accumulation of stress, anxiety, and trauma is rarely addressed. This can impact their ability to serve the public and live healthy lives outside of work. 

The Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) offers resources to help save lives and improve the overall wellness of Virginia’s first responders, including Law Enforcement, Fire/EMS, 911 Dispatchers, and Corrections Officers. 

See the First Responder Wellness attachment for details. Use and/or share.

See you in the New Year!

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

Photo of an evergreen tree with a light coating of snow, a pinecone and a branch with small bright red berries on it. Text: CommonHealth Wellnote

Submitted by:
Faith Redd-Walker, Office of Employee Wellness and Wellbeing, employeewellbeing@nvcc.edu