CommonHealth Wellnote 

January 22, 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 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: The Amazing Benefits of Breakfast 
It is often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Why? It provides essential nutrients and energy after an overnight fast, it helps to replenish glycogen stores and kick-start metabolism. It has also been linked to improved cognitive function, concentration and mood, making it beneficial for alertness and productivity throughout the day. 

Individuals who eat breakfast tend to make healthier food choices throughout the day and are less likely to overeat. Regular breakfast consumption has also been associated with better weight management and reduced risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Try It This Week: Eat a Healthy Breakfast Each Morning 
Fuel your morning with a breakfast that’s easy to prepare or grab on the go. Focus on options packed with fiber, protein and minimal added sugar to keep you energized throughout the day.

Great choices include Greek yogurt topped with fresh berries, overnight oats with fruit or KIND breakfast bars.

Need more inspiration?

Benefits Buzz: Kaiser’s Healthy Start Series Available on Demand
Have a healthy start to 2025 with Kaiser’s on-demand, no-cost webinar series that covers goal setting and ways to stay on top of your health all year long. Topics include: Ready, Set, Goal; Preventive Care Guidelines; and Working with Your Healthcare Provider. Participation in all three webinars is encouraged but not required. You do not need to be a Kaiser Health Insurance member to participate. Access the on-demand webinar series here. Kaiser members, visit Kaiser EAP for more courses and resources. NEW for all, from Anthem! EAP Website Resources: All NOVA employees can access online resources (e.g., assessments and articles/videos/podcasts) at no cost between now and June 2025. Or visit the Commonwealth of Virginia Anthem EAP website.

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

White background with a variety of breakfast foods with a yellow theme such as eggs, waffles, bananas, and oatmeal. Text "CommonHealth Wellnote" 

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