Too much unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and skin cancer. Even people in their twenties can develop skin cancer. It’s important to check in regularly with your primary care physician or dermatologist for skin cancer screenings and to discuss any concerns you may […]
Summer is here, and it is a time for grilling, swimming, road trips and outdoor activities. This summer, make a plan to enjoy healthy recipes, fresh produce and treats! Wellness Connection offers opportunities to purchase produce from local farmers and attend cooking demos from our MyWay to Health consultants. Farmers Market Each week, local farmers […]
Linda Schreier continually finds creative and fun ways to encourage her colleagues to participate in employee wellness at WashU: She regularly emails her office mates “wellness moments”, reminding them to take moment to get up from their desks; She’s been a team captain for the Division of Biostatistics in Tread the Med, WashU Moves, and […]
We know that good nutrition and physical activity are keys to a healthy weight, but did you know the extent to which nutrition can impact our lives? Dietary factors influence certain conditions and diseases, and good nutrition can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and some cancers. Eating a healthy diet and keeping […]
Movement is a fundamental aspect of life. It affects everything from circulation to digestion to metabolism to immunity. The body contributes far more to our lives than just physical attributes such as strength and endurance – it plays a major role in emotions, learning, and relationships. By participating in the upcoming 10K-A-Day activity challenge, we can focus on […]
Linda Amos has been active in the employee wellness community for a long time. As a team captain for the Tread the Med and then WashU Moves activity challenges, Linda recruits many colleagues to join her team and incorporate movement into their daily lives. When Wellness Connection expanded the Champion network to the Med School […]
MyWay to Health is an on-site employee wellness program developed by leading experts in health and wellness at Washington University. Deeply rooted in scientific evidence, expert opinion, and 25 years of research, MyWay to Health provides sound advice, as well as guidance and tips to help you take charge of your well-being. The MyWay to […]
In recognition of National Nutrition Month, Wellness Connection brings you educational sessions and opportunities to learn how you can embrace nutritious eating habits. Washington University’s MyWay to Health wellness consultants will walk you through recipes and teach you how to prepare and cook healthy, easy meals. Events will take place across WashU campuses: MyWay to […]
This month I’d like to highlight the efforts of Cynthia Marich & Andrea Krussel and the good work they’ve been doing to foster a culture of health and well-being in their department. Yoga: A Practice in CommunityBy Andrea Krussel and Cynthia Marich Since July 2017, the Institute for Informatics (I2) has hosted a weekly yoga […]
Schedule your annual health screening through Wellness Connection and establish a baseline of important biometric measurements. For optimal wellness, each of us should be armed with as much information about our body as possible. Knowing your A1C level, current blood pressure, cholesterol and other key indicators can empower you to make informed decisions about your […]
This month I’d like to recognize each and every Wellness Champion in our network. I’m so proud of our group and the good work they’ve been doing. In 2018: Our network increased by 24 new champions; We established a Leadership group, which planned training presentation topics for the 2019 quarterly meetings and are working on […]
The Wellness Connection Champions Leadership group had their inaugural meeting on Wednesday, 11/28. The leadership group serves as a mini-representation of the larger Wellness Connection Champion network, and will help the Wellness Connection team recruit, train, and deploy champions across the University to further our mission to promote employee health and wellness. During this productive […]
Nicole Venteris has initiated a number of creative efforts to cultivate a culture of wellness within her department. This year, Nicole has organized healthy snack days to motivate her WashU Moves team, hosted a focus group to provide feedback on Wellness Connection strategy, and regularly updates a wellness bulletin board. At the conclusion of the […]
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled. It is estimated that more than 24 million Americans have diabetes; of those, about 6 million don’t know they have the disease, and another 57 […]
Kim Patterson joined the Wellness Champions in December of 2017, and since then has initiated several wellness events for her department at the Cortex. Most recently, Kim partnered with Wellness Connection to host a De-Stress Zone in August where 60+ members of Physicians Billing attended and relaxed with a chair massage, healthy snacks, and met […]
Early detection is the best tool in the fight against breast cancer. To improve the convenience and availability of mammography, the Siteman Cancer Center operates a mobile mammography van that offers screenings by appointment. The Siteman Cancer Center Mammography Van offers annual screenings for women age 40 and over who have no signs or symptoms of breast […]
By increasing resilience and taking steps to prevent distress, we can help ourselves avoid serious health conditions, including depression and anxiety problems. Mindfulness is a way to access your inner resources and move towards greater balance, control and peace of mind. Move into mindfulness by participating in the Mind-Body Stress Reduction Program. This program consists […]
Rachel Tabak, PhD, research associate professor at the Brown School, has received a five-year, $3.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study ways to prevent weight gain and chronic disease among mothers age 18-35. “The research team developed a lifestyle modification intervention, Healthy Eating and Active Living Taught at Home (HEALTH) that […]
Wellness Tips From Your WashU WebMD Health Coaches: Planning to run a marathon (or taking on any task that requires a lot of time, discipline, and energy) can be overwhelming. The mere thought of the work that lies ahead may lead to procrastination. Whether our task is literally training for/running a marathon, creating a new […]
By Amy Hayden, WebMD Health Coach Believe it or not, some stress is good for us. It keeps us motivated to do what we need to provide us food and shelter. However, too much can wear us out and if chronic, it can be detrimental to our mental and physical well-being. So, finding ways to […]
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of death from cancer. Colorectal cancer affects all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people ages 50 and older. The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get screened regularly starting at age […]
For many women, juggling work, home life, and family leaves little time for them to take care of themselves. But taking the time to know what cancer screening tests are right for you could help save your life. The American Cancer Society® encourages you to talk with your health care provider about screening tests for […]
Adding certain foods to your diet may actually help to lower your cholesterol and decrease your risk for heart disease. You know the rules. Eat less red meat, cheese and butter. Limit fried foods. Avoid trans fats. With so many things to cut out, what’s left to eat? While heart-healthy eating includes lots of “no’s,” […]
Most of us are uncertain about what’s best to eat, what’s healthful and what’s not. Often our food choices are full of calories, yet lack the vitamins and minerals that we need for energy and to feel our best. Our wellness goal is to promote good nutrition as part of a healthy lifestyle, and help […]
Resources for to Reduce Stress Brown Bag Sessions Washington University Wellness Connection is proud to partner with UHC On-Site Nurse Advocate Teresa Fisher and Masterpeace Studios Executive Director Meg Krejci for a lunchtime session on stress management. You’re invited to learn about resources available to benefits-eligible WU employees, how to identify and manage distress in […]
By Jennifer DiBiasi, WebMD Health Coach So you’ve been eating well, paying attention to nutrition and portions and maybe even tracking intake on a fancy app. Then, after a long week, a much-needed get together lands you in a restaurant where you’re faced with a menu full of enticing options and you’re wanting them all. […]