Wellness Happenings - November — Mary Baldwin University

Featuring monthly updates from Christine Flory and the Office of Health and Wellness.

Above: VWIL cadets hiking Humpback Rock in October

November Health Observances

Diabetes Awareness Month

From the National Institutes of Health, obtain basic information, research and resources
From the American Diabetes Association, learn how to manage and live with diabetes
From the Health Advocate blog, learn how to lower your risk for type 2 diabetes and learn about some easy ways to reduce your added sugars

Veterans Day: November 11

From the Health Advocate blog:

Here are a few ways to honor veterans
If you or a loved one is a veteran, learn about some health-related benefits you or they may be able to take advantage of

Great American Smokeout: November 20

From the American Cancer Society, take the smoking habits quiz, learn about the benefits of quitting tobacco, and find out how to quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco
From the Health Advocate blog, here’s how to understand your options when you’re quitting tobacco, as well as how to reduce your tobacco temptation

Thanksgiving: November 27

From the Health Advocate blog:

How to get the whole family moving on Thanksgiving
In the spirit of thankfulness, get inspired by these novel ways to show gratitude
Get tips to reduce friction at family gatherings
Check out these meaningful ways to show gratitude
If you’re starting your holiday shopping the weekend after Thanksgiving, be sure to learn how to protect your identity and your wallet, plus learn how to plan ahead so you don’t overspend on gifts
If the holiday season often makes you feel more stressed than joyful, check out these mindfulness tips that may help you during this busy time of year

Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

From the Alzheimer’s Association, understand warning signs and symptoms, get information for caregivers, and learn why to get checked
From the Health Advocate blog, read “Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease”

COPD Awareness Month

From the American Lung Association, learn about COPD, understand causes and risk factors, and get questions to ask your doctor about COPD

Family Caregivers Month

From the Caregiver Action Network, get the top ten tips for caregivers
From the Health Advocate blog, read “The Importance of Self-Care for the Caregiver”, plus get resilience tips for caregivers and holiday tips for caregivers

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

From the American Lung Association, learn about lung cancer, and find out what to do after a lung cancer diagnosis for yourself or a loved one

Stay healthy this season

Enjoy these delicious fall superfoods
Learn how to stay mentally fit as the seasons shift
Create your personalized plan for better sleep
It’s getting darker earlier now–here’s how to stay safe when you walk your dog in the evening
Plus, get healthy ways to cope with the seasonal blues

Wise holiday spending check it out here

Upcoming Health Advocate Webinars:

November 20, 2025
Drugs and Addiction: What Everyone Needs to Know
10:00 am (ET) 4:00 pm (ET)

December 18, 2025
Mindfulness – Being “Present”
10:00 am (ET) 4:00 pm (ET)

On campus events MBU Wellness Events:

11/5/25 MDCHS 10 am – 12 pm Gratitude and Grounding or notes to your future self event

Journaling and gratitude wall

Table event in entry way of MDCHS

Free journals and prompts

11/11/25 Biometric Onsite Screenings

Health screenings take about 15 minutes and include the following tests:

Non-Fasting Fingerstick

Height & Weight

Waist Circumference

BMI & Body Fat %

Blood Pressure

MDCHS 9 am – 1 pm Room G19

Staunton 7 am – 1 pm SAC ballroom

Login to your health advocate account
Click on the health drop down option at the top
Click on get a health screening
Choose your location
Schedule a time

Questions? Reach out to cmflory@marybaldwin.edu

11/11/25 Cocoa and Connection Focus: Emotional wellness and stress reduction

Description: Students are welcome to grab a hot cocoa or tea and add toppings from the hot cocoa bar, relax with calming music, and therapy dogs(?)

Gratitude card station- write thank you notes to friends, faculty or staff.

Focus: Emotional wellness and stress reduction

Description: Students are welcome to grab a hot cocoa or tea and add toppings from the hot cocoa bar, relax with calming music, and therapy dogs(?)

Gratitude card station- write thank you notes to friends, faculty or staff.

11/18/ 25 Hunt Mezzanine 11:30 am – 1 pm Partnering with CJ Letters to Your Future Self Station

Focus: Self reflection and growth

Description: Students write letters to themselves about their goals, hopes or gratitudes. Collect and mail them back in the spring semester.

11/20/25 11:30- 1 pm Hunt Mezzanine

Great American Smokeout: Free Quit Kits and tobacco cessation resources

Timely Care Faculty Support:

Faculty/ Staff Wellness Portal Health Advocate:

Health Advocate replaced Web MD wellness portal in Jan 2024.

Quarter 4 deadline to earn and log incentives December 10, 2025

To earn the incentive you need to earn and log cumulative of 300 points in the wellness portal during Q1 ( Jan 1 – March 31, 2025) and Q2 (April – June 30,2025) and Q3 (July 1- September 30, 2025) Q4 ( October 1, 2025 – December 10,2025)

Question 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:

Fac/Staff 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

11/4 12:30-1:30 pm Creating and Annual Well Being Plan:

Ready to crush your well-being goals without burning out by February? In this session, we’ll walk you through 12 game-changing habits that will boost your physical, mental, and emotional health all year long. You’ll get to pick the ones that fit your lifestyle, and we’ll even throw in some resources to help you stay on track (because we know life happens). By the end, you’ll be ready to tackle your well-being plan like a pro and enjoy a healthier, happier you!

Join link:

https://bli-meetings.webex.com/bli-meetings/j.php?MTID=md8d7a4bcdc508c6ab5e40d3a296e2556

Webinar number:

2861 021 5024

Webinar password:

tCjGPn6z8h7 (82547669 when dialing from a video system)

12/2/25

Using your EAP

Discover the full range of benefits your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has to offer, from finding reliable childcare to accessing legal advice and everything in between. In this session, we’ll guide you through the many ways your EAP can support you, both professionally and personally, ensuring you make the most of the resources available to you. Let us help you navigate and utilize your EAP to enhance your overall well-being.