Another CommonHealth Wellnote This Week

February 13, 2025 / Get Well

CommonHealth offers diverse wellness programs for Virginia state employees through expert consultants. We ran one yesterday, but click here to view another CommonHealth Wellnote. Check out this week’s highlights below.

Join “Eating for a Healthy Heart” webinar, Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 12 – 1 p.m.
Learn all about the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) meal plan and other heart-healthy eating tips. This webinar is presented by Kaiser Permanente and is available to ALL employees. Register here. 

Spotlight on Heart Health: Connecting
Think beyond romance this Valentine’s Day! Celebrate all forms of love—platonic, familial and self-love. Show appreciation for those who brighten your world, including yourself. Here are some ideas:

  • Host a heart-healthy potluck
  • Make and share valentines
  • Bake a treat for yourself or others
  • Take a walk with a friend
  • Get a new houseplant
  • Reconnect with an old friend
  • Express gratitude to someone special

Workplace wellness thrives on appreciation and gratitude. Recognizing others strengthens team bonds, fosters belonging and connects personal achievements to organizational success. If you see something great, say something! Send a quick email, use the NOVAfy recognition tool or post a Team’s praise to celebrate your colleagues.

Try It This Week: More Hugs and Kisses
Affection isn’t just comforting—it’s good for your health! Hugs, kisses and touch can lower stress, improve sleep, boost immunity and support heart health. If your germs are in check, take an extra moment to connect this week and feel the benefits of Oxytocin. 

Benefits Buzz: End Flu Season Strong
Good hygiene is key to staying healthy this cold and flu season. Refresh your handwashing skills with this printable handout—share it with family and coworkers, post it in the office bathroom or place copies by the door. The better we wash our hands, the healthier we’ll be!

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

Diverse hands form a heart. Banner below has text reading CommonHealth Wellnote

 

—Faith Redd-Walker, Office of Employee Wellness and Wellbeing