Featuring monthly updates from Christine Flory and the Office of Health and Wellness.
Above: Students enjoy a snow day on campus in early December
December Health Observances
Safe Toys and Gifts Month
- From PreventBlindness.org, get a safe toy checklist
- From Kidshealth.org, tips for choosing healthy toys, including how to choose toys by age group
National Handwashing Awareness Week
- From the Centers for Disease Control, get resources about the importance of handwashing… it saves lives!
- From the Health Advocate blog, practice proper handwashing to prevent disease
Influenza Vaccination Week, December 7 – 13
From the CDC, learn how you can protect yourself from the flu
Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, December 1 – 5
From the Health Advocate blog, helping older loved ones decide when to hang up the keys
Check out some of our favorite blog posts to help you have happy, healthy holidays!
Healthy holidays
Keep pet safety top of mind during the holidays
Pay it forward this holiday season
Stress less this holiday season
Practice mindfulness this holiday season
Health, fitness, & nutrition
Ways to stay fit during winter
Ways to eat healthy this winter
Well-being & stress management
Staying mentally fit as the seasons shift
Transitioning into the new year
Closing the year on a healthy note
Start the new year with a fresh mindset
Plan ahead to use your new employee benefits
Upcoming Health Advocate Webinars:
December 18, 2025
Mindfulness – Being “Present”
10:00 am (ET) 4:00 pm (ET)
On campus events MBU Wellness Events:
12/3/25 De- stress Zone
11:30 am – 1 pm Staunton Campus Hunt Mezzanine
Drop in space with guided meditation, coloring, and sensory freebies
12/10/25 10 am – 12 pm MDHCS
De- stress Zone Drop in space with guided meditation, coloring, and sensory freebies
12/10/25 Cocoa Connections & Exam prep kits
6:30- 7:30 pm Lavender Lounge Partnering with Social Work and LGBTQ +
Students are welcome to grab a hot cocoa or tea and add toppings from the hot cocoa bar and grab an exam prep kit.
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
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.
EAP Recordings:
February recording: Health and Wellness in the Black Community https://bli-meetings.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/bli-meetings/recording/playback/4e2a1958cc5e103dbdb77e7ac1295a93
March recording: Eating Right on the Run and on a Budget
April recording: Mindfulness Meditation
May recording: Menopause
June recording: Men’s Health
July recording:The Gut-Brain Connections
August recording: Emotional Intelligence
September: Intro to Neurodiversity
November: Creating and Annual Well Being Plan:
Don’t forget you have access to EAP and Talk Space:
New Resource: VapeFreeVA.org
Quit Coaches available for support.www.QuitNowVirginia.org1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669)Text READY to 34191A free 24/7 service for all Virginians, 13 and older for all types of tobacco/nicotine Quit Now Virginia Free Vaping Resources for Teens, Youth Adults, & their Support Circles.VapeFreeVA.orgFind vaping prevention and cessation facts & tipsSupport Circle tips are for any adult concerned about vaping — parents, guardians, educators, physicians, etc. Vape Free VA |