Wellness Happenings

December 2024 / January 2025

December Health Observances

Safe Toys and Gifts Month

From PreventBlindness.org, a safe toy checklist
From Kidshealth.org, tips for choosing healthy toys including how to choose toys by age group

National Handwashing Awareness Week, December 1 – 7

From the Centers for Disease Control, resources about the importance of handwashing; it saves lives!
From the Health Advocate blog, practice proper handwashing to prevent disease

Influenza Vaccination Week, December 2 – 6

From the American Lung Association, learn about the flu, its causes, and how you can protect yourself
From the Health Advocate blog, read “Take Steps Now to Avoid the Flu”

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, December 2 – 6

From the Health Advocate blog, helping older loved ones decide when to hang up the keys

Navigating the Holidays

Six Ways to Avoid Holiday Burnout:

1. Prioritize what matters: Instead of trying to do it all, focus on activities that are truly meaningful to you. Decide what brings you joy during the holidays and put those things at the top of your list. Let go of activities that feel more like obligations than celebrations. This way, you’ll have more time and energy for the things you love.

2. Learn to say no: Overcommitting can quickly lead to exhaustion. It’s important to recognize your limits and be comfortable saying no to extra events or tasks. Saying no politely allows you to conserve energy for the things that really matter. Balancing your schedule can help you maintain peace of mind during the busy season.

3. Simplify gift-giving: Instead of stressing over buying the perfect gifts, consider giving experiences or homemade items. Experiences like shared meals, outings, or meaningful time together often hold more value than material goods. By simplifying your approach, you can reduce financial pressure and focus on creating memorable moments.

4. Stick to a budget: Holiday expenses can add up quickly. To avoid financial stress, set a budget and stick to it. This will help you manage your spending and avoid the guilt that often comes with overspending. Creative alternatives like DIY gifts or potluck meals can make the holidays enjoyable without straining your wallet.

5. Take time to rest: Don’t forget to care for yourself. Schedule downtime to recharge — whether it’s relaxing with a good book, going for a walk, or simply enjoying a quiet moment. Incorporating relaxation into your holiday routine can help you stay energized and reduce the risk of burnout.

6. Delegate tasks: Sharing holiday responsibilities with family or friends can lighten your load. Don’t hesitate to ask for help with meal prep, decorating, or shopping. This will make the season more enjoyable for everyone and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.

Check out some of our favorite blog posts to help you have happy, healthy holidays!

Healthy holidays

Health, fitness, and nutrition

Well-being and stress management

Transitioning into the new year

Free One-Year Trial of Noom

We have exciting news! VPCBC is starting a trial of Noom, with 100 (one-year) licenses available on a first come-first served basis, starting in mid-January. Those who are able to claim a spot will have access to the award-winning program that uses psychology, technology, and 1:1 coaching to transform your relationship with food and help you reach your weight and health goals. The even better news? It will be available at no cost to you.

With Noom, you get:

Psychology-based lessons, health tracking tools, and a food color system that help change how you think and feel about eating.
Mental wellness support, offering the education and tools to help you understand the root of your stress and how to manage it.
Specialized workout and nutrition support designed for those on weight loss medication.
1:1 coaching to guide and support you every step of the way.

If you are able to grab a spot on Jan. 14*, you may join others who’ve lost 10 pounds in 10 weeks**. Whether you’re looking for healthy, delicious recipes, a new workout or a 5-minute meditation, Noom has something for everyone.

Since there are only 100 spots available in this free trial, we ask that only those who are committed to using Noom for a year participate.

* Look for more information closer to the registration date. This will include the sign-up link and the time registration starts.

**Based on 3.5 year study of actively engaged Noom users.

Upcoming Health Advocate Webinars

Click the links below to register!

Dec. 12
Power of the Positive – Cultivating Optimism
10 a.m. (ET) 4 p.m. (ET)

Jan. 16
Depression, Anxiety, and Burnout: Moving Toward Hope and Health
10 a.m. (ET) 4 p.m. (ET)

Library of webinars: www.healthadvocate.com/Site/memberwebinars

Faculty/ Staff Wellness Portal Health Advocate

Health Advocate replaced Web MD wellness portal in January 2024.

Quarter 4 deadline to earn and log incentives: Dec. 15

To earn the incentive you need to earn and log 100 points in the wellness portal.

Questions about the new portal can be emailed to Director of Wellness Initiatives Christine Flory at cmflory@marybaldwin.edu

Here’s how to create your account:

Please take a few minutes to watch this video as it provides a comprehensive overview of the new well being portal and how to log incentives through Health Advocate: Health Advocate: Navigating the Portal

Anthem EAP Webinars

To view a seminar on demand, go to anthemeap.com and enter your company code: MBU You’ll find a link to these and other seminars on the homepage.

View the seminars on demand — anytime, anywhere. Submit a question and receive a response via email. Questions are logged in a FAQ section, so you can browse and learn from the questions of others.

September Topic: Emotional Intelligence

Play recording

October Topic: Breast Cancer Awareness

Play recording

November Topic: Diabetes

Play recording

December: Holiday Budgeting

12:30-1 p.m., Dec. 17

Attendee Link: Here
Audio conference: To receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the event, or call the number below and enter the access code.
United States Toll: +1-408-418-9388
Webinar Access Code: N/A
Webinar Password: crCjqBdR724

Access to EAP and Talk Space

Don’t forget you have access to EAP and Talk Space:

New Resource: VapeFreeVA.org

Questions? Email MBU Health & Wellness