Wellbeing – Page 2

Active&Fit Direct

April 19, 2022April 19, 2022Wellbeing

Beginning May 1 – Gym or Home? We’ll keep you active either way.

The university is continually exploring innovative programs that support your overall wellbeing. As we continue to move onward together, we are excited to share a new discount program through Active&Fit Direct™.

Beginning May 1, 2022, GW Faculty, Staff, Temporary/Wage workers, Postdoc Associates, and Scholars will be eligible for discounted gym memberships through the Active&Fit Direct program. The program will provide you with access to a network of 11,500+ standard fitness centers and/or 4,500+ premium gyms across the U.S. at a discounted rate with no long-term contracts. There are two available enrollment levels:

Standard Fitness Centers for $25 a month (plus applicable taxes) + $25 enrollment fee*
- Enrollment in the standard fitness level also allows the participant to use multiple gyms participating in the standard fitness level. For example, if you use a Gold’s Gym in Virginia and are traveling to New York, you could find a participating standard fitness center in New York for no additional fee!
Premium Exercise Studios with 20% – 70% discounts on memberships (plus applicable taxes) + enrollment fee

*Enroll in the standard fitness level during our launch month in May and have your $25 enrollment fee waived!

Your Active&Fit Direct Membership Also Provides Access To:

6,500+ Digital Workout Videos
The ability to purchase a membership for your spouse/domestic partner
One-on-One Lifestyle Coaching
- Get matched with a professional lifestyle coach who will provide personalized over-the-the phone education and support in areas such as fitness, nutrition, stress, and sleep!

Before enrolling with the Active&Fit Directprogram, compare your fitness options. Review key features including price and contract terms provided via the Active&Fit Direct program alongside local gym discounts available.

Want More Information?

Use the zip code search on the Active&Fit Direct website to see which fitness centers participate in your area. Visit the GW Active&Fit Direct webpage for information on eligibility, enrollment, payment, tips and more!
Review the the Active&Fit Direct Program FAQs.

Already participating with a network fitness center? No problem. Visit the GW page to see how you too can take advantage of the Active&Fit Direct discount.For questions on the Active&Fit Program, l ive c hat with an Active&Fit Direct support agent or call 1-844-646-2746 Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. EST.

Up your Financial Game during Financial Literacy Month!

April 19, 2022April 19, 2022Employee Benefits, Financial Wellness, Wellbeing

National Financial Literacy Month is a national campaign held every year in April. It is an annual opportunity to highlight the importance of financial literacy and encourage employees to establish and maintain healthy financial habits. It provides an opportunity for employees to gauge their personal level of literacy and seek out resources to support further learning.

Get smarter about managing your money during National Financial Literacy Month this April. Take advantage of these opportunities to grow your financial confidence.

Interactive webinars

Discover practical steps you can take to save smarter, budget better, manage debt and pursue greater financial success, now and into the future. Click here

Timely insights and education resources

Financial planning is an ongoing process that you can fine tune over time to align with your financial goals and resources. Learn about how careful planning can help protect what you build and how to make the most of your money with a solid financial foundation. Click her e

Financial IQ trivia challenge

Test your knowledge of financial concepts. Answer five quick questions to unlock five more. You have a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card every time you play until April 30. Click to play

Fidelity participant? Financial wellness shouldn’t feel like a balancing act. In under 10 minutes, take the financial wellness checkup, get your scores, and next steps to help improve. T ake the Financial Wellness Ch eck up!

Check out these resources on managing finances from GW’s own Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center (GFLEC), a leading center for financial literacy research and policy:

COVID-19 Financial Resilience Hub

Helping You Navigate Through the Crisis: Assess resources to manage personal financial finances and buffer ourselves against the financial emergency caused by COVID-19.

Discover five f undamental concepts behind financial planning.

You’re invited!

Visit our events page and join a financial webinar this Spring with topics ranging from How to Protect Your Money from Inflation, Understanding Your Retirement Plan and All it Has to Offer, to Saving Through Roth Contributions in Your Retirement Plan and more!

Headspace: Spend Money Mindfully to Budget and Save

April 19, 2022April 19, 2022Employee Benefits, Financial Wellness, Wellbeing

This month, check out Headspace’s Mindful Money Collection.

Learn to approach finances through a lens of awareness and compassion with Headspace’s newest collection, featuring:

A 10-day meditation course on Mindful Spending
Brand new expert videos on how to mindfully approach debt, saving, and how money impacts our relationships, and more.

Find it by navigating to the Search tab in your Headspace app today!

Take 5! Manage your money mindfully. Watch financial wellness expert Alex Holder as she explores how mindfulness can help us save more and spend less by increasing our awareness around impulse shopping, noticing what we buy, and acknowledging the feelings that drive these purchases. Being mindful of your purchases can help you stick to a budget, lower your spending, and increase your savings.

Haven’t registered with Headspace yet? Get started today.

Benefits-eligible GW staff and faculty can sign-up today using these simple instructions.

Sign up using your computer or device, such as a tablet or iPhone. To use on a tablet or phone, the Headspace app will need to be downloaded first.
Only your @gwu.edu email address can be used to sign up and verify that you are a GW employee.

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Trouble Sleeping? Headspace Can Help.

March 8, 2022March 10, 2022Mental Health, Sleep, Wellbeing

Quality sleep helps us navigate challenges with optimism and grace; it helps us make sense of our emotions, recharge our bodies, and keep our minds sharp. But between endless stressors and the temptation for “just one more episode,” sleep is a bit harder than it used to be. Luckily, getting a restful night’s sleep can be as simple as adjusting our habits. GW is proud to offer the headspace app to our benefit eligible faculty and staff free of charge. From serene soundscapes to short meditations that help ease you into sleep to science-backed tips on how to sleep better, Headspace has the tools you need. Give the app a download and set the mood for a restful night’s sleep.

How Do I Join?

Benefits-eligible GW staff and faculty can sign-up today using these simple instructions.

Sign up using your computer or device, such as a tablet or iPhone. To use on a tablet or phone, the Headspace app will need to be downloaded first.
Only your @gwu.edu email address can be used to sign up and verify that you are a GW employee.

Did You Know? When it comes to bedtime rituals, practicing gratitude might be more effective than sipping tea and fluffing your pillows. Check out this gratitude checklist to get started.

Women’s History Month

March 8, 2022March 10, 2022Wellbeing

This month we celebrate Women’s History to recognize and reflect on the accomplishments of women throughout the years to our history, culture and society. From science to politics to the arts, athletics and beyond, it is a chance to pay tribute to the trailblazing women who lead the way for change.

This year, women’s history theme is Providing Healing, Promoting Hope as a tribute to the “ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.”

During March, we invite you to celebrate Women’s History Month by attending a university even t and finding ways to honor the women in our communities, our country and the world, past and present, working toward improvement and advancement for all.

Suncreen and Your Morning Routine

June 30, 2020Health, Wellbeing

Wearing sunscreen is one of the best — and easiest — ways to protect your skin’s appearance and health at any age. Used regularly, sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging.

To help make sunscreen a part of your daily routine, read the advice of dermatologist Anna Chien at Johns Hopkins to remind yourself which SPF you should use, how much you need, and how often you should apply.

What SPF should I buy?

For day-to-day use, pick a sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. If you spend time outdoors, choose a product with SPF 60 or greater. In reality, most people do not use as much sunscreen as they should, and this higher SPF helps compensate.

woman smiles with sun drawn in lotion on shoulder

Sun Safety

Everybody needs some sun exposure to produce vitamin D (which helps calcium absorption for stronger and healthier bones). But unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause damage to the skin, eyes, and immune system.

Learn more about sun safety

How much sunscreen do I need?

To protect your face, neck, arms and legs, you’ll need about 1 ounce of sunscreen. Squeezed into your hand, 1 ounce of sunscreen is enough to completely cover your palm.

Should sunscreen come before or after other products?

So long as the sunscreen is at least SPF 30, water-resistant, broad-spectrum and applied about 15 minutes before going outside, it doesn’t matter in what order you apply your skincare products. Some people find it’s easiest to work with bare skin — before makeup or moisturizer have been added. Find what works best for your routine.

If you have concerns about layering specific products, speak with your dermatologist.

Does makeup with SPF work?

Makeup is not enough to protect your skin — even if it has a high SPF. Unless you’re willing to wear an entire ounce of foundation atop your face, stick with a standalone sunscreen.

Are organic sunscreens any better?

There are no firm data that indicate organic sunscreens have any additional benefits. Your preferred product is a personal choice.

Do I really need to reapply sunscreen throughout the day?

Generally, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating.

If you work indoors and sit away from windows, you may not need a second application. Be mindful of how often you step outside, though. Keep a spare bottle of sunscreen at your desk just to be safe. Even a short stroll at lunch could put your skin at risk.

Keep in mind that no sunscreen is perfect. Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses or other protective clothing and seek shade whenever possible.

June Is Men’s Health Month

June 30, 2020Health, Wellbeing

June is Men’s Health month. The goal is to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment among men and boys. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men in the United States, on average, die five years earlier than women and die at higher rates from the three leading causes of death, heart disease, cancer and unintentional injuries.

One of the most steps to maintaining your health is to stay up-to-date on preventative care. To help you stay on target, create a customized checklist on the UnitedHealthcare website. Enter your age and gender, then receive a customized list of screenings that you should undertake regularly. It’s easier to treat and manage disease when it’s caught in its earlier stages.

Building Resilience and Managing Burnout

June 30, 2020Mental Health, Wellbeing

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many people are experiencing “COVID-19 burnout.” While many parts of the country are beginning to reopen, it is understandable to experience stress or uncertainty as we transition to this next phase. Add to that family issues, work stress and a constant stream of news, and our work/life balance is anything but balanced. This can lead to fatigue about the current situation, as well as uncertainty about how to move forward.

We summarize webinars and podcasts below to help you find strategies and inspiration during this time, along with “staycation” ideas. Being present with our loves ones can renew our outlook and reinvigorate our purpose.

Health Advocate offers on demand webinars that cover signs to look out for, resources available and tips to manage fatigue.
Resiliency: Moving Forward in Challenging Times webinar from Health Advocate
In “The Happiness Lab” podcast, Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos takes you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will forever alter the way you think about happiness. Listen to Dr. Santos’ special episodes on how to maintain well-being in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Try these staycation ideas when taking time away from work