WashU’s Office of Human Resources is excited to present the spring well-being challenge, Star Trak!
This 6-week challenge is your opportunity to focus on physical activity and overall well-being. Join us for a season of increased movement, enhanced energy levels and a supportive and inclusive community.
Star Trak is a fun, inclusive way to prioritize movement while exploring strategies for better health. Eligible employees can register throughout the challenge, but team formation closes on March 24. Learn more about and register for the Star Trak spring challenge.
For everyone, everywhere
Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or you’re an experienced athlete, Star Trak offers simple, motivating tools to track progress and explore new frontiers of wellness. Star Trak’s self-paced, flexible design fits people of all backgrounds and physical abilities. You’ll have the freedom to choose activities that resonate with you, fostering intrinsic motivation.
Join the fun! Weekly well-being support
All eligible WashU employees are welcome to join us for Try it Tuesdays every week during the Star Trak challenge. The weekly resources and activities are available to everyone, whether you’re actively participating in the challenge or simply looking for healthy inspiration.
Every Tuesday throughout the challenge, we host Try it Tuesdays – a chance to explore new well-being resources and take charge of your health journey. Each week, we’ll introduce new tools, tips and motivation you need to live a healthier, more balanced life. Check back weekly for practical guides and content to help keep you moving forward toward your goals!
Note for Star Trak participants: Stay on top of your daily movement by logging your activity on the wellness challenge platform.
Try it Tuesday activity: Ask yourself these questions at least once today before spending money:
- Is this a want or a need?
- Do I have the money to spend on this right now?
- Will this purchase make my life better?
For Star Trak team members: Be sure to log your completion of the Try it Tuesday activity on the “Team” page by midnight (CST) each Tuesday to earn 1 bonus point for your team.
Share your experience! Let us know on the wellness wall if the questions helped you be more aware of your spending habits.
WashU resources to enhance your well-being journey
- Check out the financial education platform, Enrich
Enrich is an employee benefit designed to help you assess your financial well-being and learn effective strategies to achieve your goals. Complete two qualifying activities in 2025 to be automatically entered into a monthly drawing to win a $15 Visa gift card. - Join or form a Star Trak team by March 24
Don’t miss out on your chance to join or create a team before team formation closes on Monday, March 24. Teaming up with others who share your goals keeps you accountable and doubles your likelihood of success. - Take a walk to WashU’s farmers’ market
Held each Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the WashU Medicine campus, you can find local vendors selling locally grown food and products.
Try it Tuesday activity: Being hard on yourself may come easy, but it’s harmful, not helpful. Instead, reduce stress — while enhancing your well-being and happiness — by practicing self-compassion. This simple habit is about treating yourself as kindly as you would a friend. Get started by taking a self-compassion break today.
For Star Trak team members: Be sure to log your completion of the Try it Tuesday activity on the “Team” page by midnight (CST) each Tuesday to earn 1 bonus point for your team.
Share your experience! Let us know on the wellness wall how you gave yourself a self-compassion break.
WashU resources to enhance your well-being journey
- Utilize the Mindfulness Audio Library
Give yourself a break. Check out WashU’s Mindfulness Audio and Video Library with short practices facilitated by Meg Krejci, Mindfulness Consultant. - Check out WashU’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
WashU’s Employee Assistance Program, provided by GuidanceResources, offers free, confidential services for employees and their household members. This valuable benefit provides support and referrals for trained clinicians, referrals for anything on your to-do list, legal guidance and financial resources. - WashU’s Behavioral Health Benefit
This program offers confidential support for a wide range of challenges, from everyday stress to more serious concerns like medication management or substance abuse recovery services.
Try it Tuesday activity: With packed schedules that leave little downtime, many families and friends miss out on opportunities to connect. Recent research highlights the benefits of gathering around the table – making a habit of eating at least one meal together today will strengthen bonds and is essential for everyone’s well-being.
For Star Trak team members: Be sure to log your completion of the Try it Tuesday activity on the “Team” page by midnight (CST) each Tuesday to earn 1 bonus point for your team.
Share your experience! Let us know on the wellness wall if sharing a meal helped you feel more connected.
WashU resources to enhance your well-being journey
- MyWay to Health Wellness Workshop
Join the MyWay to Health team for a workshop and cooking demonstration on Budget Friendly Meal Prep. You’ll discuss strategies to make mealtimes less stressful while also getting the most bang for your buck. This workshop will take place both in person and virtually. Earn an additional bonus entry for the weekly challenge by attending the workshop, either in person or virtually. - Take a walk to WashU’s farmers market
Held each Thursday at the WashU Medicine campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can find local vendors selling locally grown food and products. - Meet with a Registered Dietitian
Meet with a WashU MyWay to Health registered dietitian for expert guidance on eating healthier, increasing physical activity, stress management and more.
Try it Tuesday activity: Learn one new word today — in any language. Use Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day feature, look up a term you don’t know or try a tool like Google Translate.
For Star Trak team members: Be sure to log your completion of the Try it Tuesday activity on the “Team” page by midnight (CST) each Tuesday to earn 1 bonus point for your team.
Share your experience! Let us know on the wellness wall your new word and what it means!
WashU resources to enhance your well-being journey
- Check out WashU’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
WashU’s Employee Assistance Program, provided by GuidanceResources, offers free, confidential services for employees and their household members. This valuable benefit provides support and referrals for trained clinicians, referrals for anything on your to-do list, legal guidance and financial resources. - Family Care Resources
WashU provides resources for both child care and older/dependent adult care, in addition to mental health resources for caregivers and children and/or older adults. Contact Amy Dunnegan, Child and Family Care Facilitator, for more information.
Try it Tuesday activity: Kindness builds relationships, defuses tension and brings joy to both the giver and receiver—right now, we all need this more than ever. Sprinkle a little kindness today: write a thank-you note, call a friend, set up a text chat to help family or friends stay in touch or share “good news” stories on social media to spread joy. Give grace and assume positive intent; we’re all doing the best we can.
For Star Trak team members: Be sure to log your completion of the Try it Tuesday activity on the “Team” page by midnight (CST) each Tuesday to earn 1 bonus point for your team.
Share your experience! Let us know on the wellness wall what act of kindness you provided or received today.
WashU resources to enhance your well-being journey
- Send a WashU Kudos
Spread the news and show your appreciation to colleagues and staff for their hard work and dedication, while promoting a positive workplace culture that values longevity. Send a Kudos to someone you know today! - WashU Wellness Champions
Advocate for a workplace culture of well-being in your department by joining the WashU Wellness Champion community. Wellness Champions are WashU employees who are passionate about leading a culture of wellness within their department at the university.
Try it Tuesday activity: Spend at least 15 minutes in natural surroundings today. Head to a rooftop or city park, walk by a lake or have lunch outdoors. Fresh air, sunshine, trees, greenery and bodies of water promote relaxation, enhance mental/emotional well-being and can even reduce blood pressure.
For Star Trak team members: Be sure to log your completion of the Try it Tuesday activity on the “Team” page by midnight (CST) each Tuesday to earn 1 bonus point for your team.
Share your experience! Let us know on the wellness wall how you basked in nature today.
WashU resources to enhance your well-being journey
- Move into Mindfulness (and nature!)
Experience nature and mindfulness at the Danforth Butterfly Garden with Mindfulness Consultant, Meg Krejci. Register now for the Spring Momentum Nature event on Friday, May 2, at noon. - Take a walk to WashU Farmers Market
Held each Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the WashU Medicine campus, you can find local vendors selling locally grown food and products.
Additional Support
For easy access to WashU well-being resources, consider bookmarking these pages:
- Star Trak homepage | Find challenge details, FAQs, reward information and more.
- Well-Being hub | Resources tailored to every stage of the employee life cycle.
- WashU’s Farmers Market | Attend the weekly market on the WashU Medicine campus.
- MyWay to Health | Eligible employee wellness program.
Participation in employee well-being programs is a benefit to employees and there are opportunities to earn rewards when you complete certain activities. There is no requirement for you to participate, but your privacy is protected when you do.