Welcome to WashU’s fall well-being challenge, Walktober.
As we transition into the beautiful fall season, it’s the perfect time to step into a journey of well-being. Over the next six weeks, we invite you to prioritize your physical activity while immersing yourself in the breathtaking colors of autumn. With cool, crisp air and nature’s vibrant canvas, there’s no better time to get outdoors and embrace the season.
Walktober is a fun and inspiring way to take advantage of autumn’s cool temperatures and spectacular views as you step out and step up to better health. Benefits-eligible employees can register for this six-week challenge between Oct. 9 and Nov. 19, 2023. Learn more about and register for the Walktober fall challenge.
For everyone, everywhere.
Whether you’re just starting out or exercise has been part of your daily routine for a while, Walktober gives you simple, motivating tools to track progress, providing instant feedback from your favorite tracking device or app. It offers user-friendly tools to track your progress, making it accessible to everyone. Walktober’s self-paced, flexible design fits people of all abilities. If walking isn’t accessible to you, be as active as you can in whatever ways you enjoy. Consult your healthcare provider if you’re unsure which activities are best for you.
Weekly Well-Being Support
Every Thursday throughout Walktober, we will be here to support your well-being journey with tips, resources, and inspiring ideas. Let us help you on your journey toward a well and active life. Check back weekly to view the resources available below, which can benefit anyone looking to live a more active lifestyle.
WashU offers resources to enhance your well-being journey:
- MyWay to Health workshop | Fresh Fall Finds – A guide to seasonal produce
Wednesday, October 25 from 12 – 1 p.m.
Discover how to make the most of fall seasonal produce at this informative workshop and cooking demonstration. We’ll explore the health benefits of current seasonal fruits and vegetables and share recipes perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, and meals at home. Learn more and register to attend in person or via Zoom. - Save the date for Benefits Open Enrollment
November 1-17, 2023
The time is approaching to make important decisions about your 2024 health, vision, dental, and life insurance benefits, and enroll or re-enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). This annual benefits open enrollment process is your chance to personalize your benefits and secure your financial well-being. WashU is committed to providing the resources and support you need to make informed choices. Stay tuned for updates as we approach the open enrollment period.
Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting antioxidants. They’re low in calories, high in fiber and water, and can help us feel full, regulate blood sugar levels, reduce cholesterol levels, prevent diabetes and lower the risk of gastrointestinal diseases. Consuming produce that’s in season helps ensure better quality and taste, reduce environmental impacts, and save money.
Erin McGraw, MS, RD, LD
Wellness Consultant with MyWay to Health
This autumn, try some seasonal produce, such as:
- Fruits | Apples, pears, grapes, pomegranates
- Vegetables | Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, kale, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, sweet potatoes, winter squash
WashU offers resources to enhance your well-being journey:
- MyWay to Health workshop | Fresh Fall Finds – A guide to seasonal produce
Wednesday, October 25 from 12 – 1 p.m.
Discover how to make the most of fall seasonal produce at this informative workshop and cooking demonstration. We’ll explore the health benefits of current seasonal fruits and vegetables and share recipes perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, and meals at home. Learn more and register to attend in person or via Zoom. - WashU Farmers Market
Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Discover WashU’s weekly farmers market, hosted by the Offices of Human Resources and Sustainability at the School of Medicine Campus. Shop local for fall produce every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and save the date to celebrate the last outdoor market of the year at HarvestFest on Oct. 26! - Save the date for Benefits Open Enrollment
November 1-17, 2023
The time is approaching to make important decisions about your 2024 health, vision, dental, and life insurance benefits, and enroll or re-enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). This annual benefits open enrollment process is your chance to personalize your benefits and secure your financial well-being. WashU is committed to providing the resources and support you need to make informed choices. Stay tuned for updates as we approach the open enrollment period.
Step into the shoes of your colleagues
Discover the incredible individuals at WashU who are not only helping us excel in our mission of research, teaching, and patient care but also stepping up their fitness game.
Meet Tyler Detmer, PT, DPT, Wellness Champion, Clinical Associate, and Orthopedic Team Lead, and Jenny Brown, Marketing Recruitment and Public Relations Manager – two esteemed members of WashU’s Physical Therapy Clinic. Their commitment to promoting physical activity and well-being among their colleagues is worth noting. Through this spotlight article, you will discover their personal experiences in leading an active lifestyle and how they motivate those around them to make a favorable difference in themselves and their communities.
WashU offers resources to enhance your well-being journey:
- WashU Farmers Market | HarvestFest
Thursday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Celebrate the final outdoor Farmers Market before it moves indoors for the winter. HarvestFest activities will include:- specialty fall items from market vendors
- apple cider press demonstration and cider samples
- a free mini pumpkin or gourd for the first 100 attendees to make a purchase at the farmer’s market
- pumpkin painting
- delicious samples from Bon Appetit
- Save the date for Benefits Open Enrollment
November 1-17, 2023
The time is approaching to make important decisions about your 2024 health, vision, dental, and life insurance benefits, and enroll or re-enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). This annual benefits open enrollment process is your chance to personalize your benefits and secure your financial well-being. WashU is committed to providing the resources and support you need to make informed choices. View the 2024 Open Enrollment website to review open enrollment guides and forms, tutorials, and walk-through options with our educational tool, ALEX.
2024 Benefits Open Enrollment
WashU offers a comprehensive benefits program designed to support your overall well-being, helping you and your family thrive. We’re in the annual window of opportunity for you to make important decisions about your 2024 health, vision, dental, and life insurance benefits, and enroll or re-enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
It can be helpful to follow the checklist below when reviewing your options. To start:
- Read through your benefits enrollment guide
- Review the step-by-step Workday enrollment guide
- Consider your dependents and verify they meet eligibility requirements
- Enroll in or change health and insurance coverage through Workday
Visit the 2024 Open Enrollment website to review the complete checklist and access the guides, resources, tutorials, and walk-through options with our educational tool, ALEX.
WashU offers resources to enhance your well-being journey:
- Last chance for annual on-site health screening
Earn a $50 Visa gift card by completing your annual health screening. Attend one of the two final on-campus events:- Nov. 3, 2023 | Eric P. Newman Education Center
- Nov. 16, 2023 | Danforth University Center
- WashU Employee Well-Being Hub
The WashU employee experience embraces a culture of care. Our missions are rooted in serving others, and to do that, it is important to take care of ourselves too. Visit the employee well-being hub to find resources for a holistic approach to well-being, including:- Mind/Body
- Financial
- Work/Life
- Culture & Community
- Career
Rest, recharge and rejuvenate this holiday season
As the holiday season approaches, it’s important to take some time to unwind and connect with your loved ones. Unplugging from the digital world and refreshing your mind and body can help you reduce stress, stay healthy, and start the new year with a renewed sense of energy. To make the most of this holiday season, consider incorporating these tips into your routine. They can help you find joy, peace, and calm in the midst of the holiday rush, and reduce any stress or anxiety that might come with it.
WashU offers resources to enhance your well-being journey:
- Wellness Champion Network
The Wellness Champion Network is a group of WashU employees who are passionate about fostering a culture of wellness in their respective departments, as well as throughout the WashU community as a whole. These WashU Wellness Champions play a crucial role in promoting the 8ight Ways to Wellness, while also addressing the specific needs of their departments. Learn more about advocating for a workplace culture of wellness and join the WashU Wellness Champions! - Benefits Open Enrollment
November 1 – 17, 2023
We’re in the annual window of opportunity for you to make important decisions about your 2024 health, vision, dental, and life insurance benefits, and enroll or re-enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). This annual benefits open enrollment process is your chance to personalize your benefits and secure your financial well-being. WashU is committed to providing you with the resources and support you need to make informed choices. Visit the 2024 Open Enrollment website to review guides, resources, tutorials, and walk-through options with our educational tool, ALEX.
A season of mindfulness
“In our daily lives, we don’t always notice or acknowledge the pleasant and positive things around us. We may be in a rush, distracted by other thoughts, or busy checking our phones. As a result, we miss opportunities for positive experiences and positive emotions—the building blocks of long-term happiness. Research suggests that we can maximize the benefits of the good things around us by consciously savoring them rather than letting them pass us by or taking them for granted. Mindful walking offers one basic way to start savoring the bounty of goodness around us, by paying more careful attention to the sights, smells, and sounds we often neglect – especially as the change of seasons is upon us and we can open up to fall.”
Meg Krejci, MBA
Wellness Consultant for Mindfulness
Thrive tip: Take a moment to bring peace & love to yourself by listening to a 2-minute audio by Mindfulness Consultant, Meg Krejci. Choose your practice here.
WashU offers resources to enhance your well-being journey:
- MyWay to Health Wellness Workshop | Mindful Celebrations
December 12, 2023, from 12 – 1 p.m.
Celebrations are an opportunity to create memories, connect with others and prioritize personal health. Register for the upcoming hybrid workshop to learn strategies for being present and making meaningful connections. - Financial Mindfulness Resources
Embark on a journey towards financial clarity with Enrich’s mindful resources, featuring specialized money meditations, financial journaling, and a personalized financial stress assessment. Elevate your financial well-being by exploring Enrich. - Benefits Open Enrollment
November 1 – 17, 2023
November 17 is your final opportunity to make important decisions about your 2024 health, vision, dental, and life insurance benefits, and enroll or re-enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Visit the 2024 Open Enrollment website to review the complete checklist, guides, resources, tutorials, and walk-through options with our educational tool, ALEX. Then complete your open enrollment process in Workday.
Additional Support
For easy access to WashU well-being resources, consider bookmarking these pages:
- 8ight Ways to Wellness | WashU’s evidence-based framework provides guidance for achieving the good health, energy, and confidence we need to live our lives to the fullest.
- Well-Being hub | Explore resources tailored to every stage of the employee life cycle, including:
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.