CommonHealth Wellnote 

January 9, 2025 / 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/February, 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.

Spotlight on Starting Smart: Choose Gratitude
As we begin 2025, many will consider New Year resolutions. Often these include nutrition, fitness and health. This year, contemplate “Gratitude Goals,” which may bring positive outcomes like supporting heart health, decreasing depression and anxiety, relieving stress and improving sleep. What is a gratitude goal? Taking the time to find ways to include gratitude into daily life and aiming to achieve them throughout the year.

Effective goals are Specific (clearly defined), Measurable (track progression), Attainable (feasible and realistic), Relevant (matches values), and Time-bound (have a deadline). Make gratitude a regular habit, aim to personalize appreciative gestures, begin a gratitude journal, volunteer and smile.

Start 2025 smart with SMART gratitude goals.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has a great tool that helps you set SMART goals.

Try It This Week: Pass It On 
What costs nothing but can change so much? A smile! 

A smile shares joy, brings hope and speaks caring, appreciation and understanding. It can change moods, thoughts and feelings. Most of all, it is contagious. So, smile often and pass it on. 

Similarly, incorporating gratitude into your day has no fee, but can raise awareness, offer acknowledgement or express appreciation. It can be as simple as a personal statement, a journal entry or a thank you note. 

Try a smile with a side of gratitude this week!

Benefits Buzz:  Time to Give Back
Employees of the Commonwealth can use leave to volunteer. Check out the leave policy for details and give back to the community or organization that matches your values. Seeing your own impact can help you appreciate your skills and talents, and it feels great to help others. Giving through the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign can also be a way to help. You can choose the amount and the organization–and even how you pay. 

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

 

New Year's decorations with gold ribbons, balls and bows surrounding gold number 2025. Text in black: CommonHealth Wellnote

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