Good morning,

I hope that you all had a relaxing weekend and that everyone is feeling well. I wanted to make sure that you were aware of some resources that HEW has put in place to help us all stay healthy and reduce stress. I participated in the Brain Break, Body Awake! Session last Friday and I recommend it. I am not moving as much as I usually do, and these 10 minute breaks are a good reminder to get up and move around a bit.

Take care,

Samantha

Bonus Healthy Habit Challenge – Keeping a Healthy Work Environment

An extra healthy habit challenge starts today, Monday, March 30^th, centered on keeping our work environment (at home or onsite) a healthy one. Answer “yes” 5 days out of 7 this week, and earn 500 Virgin Pulse points.

Stay well virtually with HEW: Meditation, stretching, and ergonomic checks

With most of the lab staff currently telecommuting, Health and Employee Wellness is now offering virtual stretching and meditation sessions and ergonomic evaluations. For each stretching session, you’ll earn 25 Virgin Pulse points, and the meditations are worth 50 points each. Point voucher codes will be emailed to participants at the end of each month.

Earn additional Virgin Pulse points by viewing the 20-minute seminars and 4Life lecture online (see listings below).

Brain Break, Body Awake!: 10-minute stretching sessions

Take a break and join Health and Employee Wellness (HEW) on Blue Jeans for ten minutes of simple stretching and exercise. Two sessions are offered each day, Monday through Friday, at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. HEW's physical therapy team will help keep you healthy, focused, and feeling good. Participants earn 25 Virgin Pulse points per session.

· 10:30-10:40 a.m.
Join on BlueJeans
Meeting ID: 209 282 135

· 2:30-2:40 p.m.
Join on BlueJeans
Meeting ID: 581 309 151

Phone Dial-in (for both sessions)
+1.312.216.0325 (US (Chicago)
+1.408.740.7256 (US (San Jose)
+1.866.226.4650 (US Toll Free)

Mid-day Meditation

Never made it to a Mindful Monday meditation? Now is a great time to try it! Decrease stress and improve focus with a 20- to 30-minute session of guided meditation offered at 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You’ll earn 50 Virgin Pulse points for each session, awarded by email at the end of each month.

· 12:30 – 1 p.m., Monday-Friday
Join on BlueJeans
Meeting ID: 404 070 120

Phone Dial-in
+1.312.216.0325 (US (Chicago)
+1.408.740.7256 (US (San Jose)
+1.866.226.4650 (US Toll Free)
(Global Numbers)

Evening Meditation for Families

Let’s face it, it can be stressful to be cooped up all day with each other! We recommend keeping a set routine for your family to minimize friction and give everyone some normalcy. This session offers a guided meditation for parents, followed by some simple stretches the family can do together and a short meditation for kids to get them ready for bed. Join us Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7:30 pm. Earn 50 Virgin Pulse points for each session, awarded at the end of each month.

· 7:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday (starts March 31)
Join on BlueJeans
Meeting ID: 404 070 120

Phone Dial-in
+1.312.216.0325 (US (Chicago))
+1.408.740.7256 (US (San Jose))
+1.866.226.4650 (US Toll Free)
(Global Numbers)

Argonne Wellness Online Resources

· Virgin Pulse – Explore the Virgin Pulse wellness platform for ways to stay well and keep earning points in the Incentivized Wellness Program. Watch for a spring step challenge coming soon. Virgin Pulse is available to all Argonne medical benefit-eligible employees.

· Whil – Try the award-winning Whil program, accessible to Virgin Pulse members. It provides mindfulness training, emotional intelligence classes, and yoga – and it is available 24/7.

· Physical Therapy – Did you know our physical therapy team now offers telehealth visits if you are experiencing pain or discomfort? Email hewpt@anl.gov to request an appointment for an evaluation.

· Ergonomic Program – Review this ergonomics self-assessment checklist and if you think you need a virtual ergonomic evaluation, submit the Request for Ergonomic Evaluation (ANL-9D) form.

· Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Perspectives, Argonne’s EAP provider offers you and your family counseling via telephone or televideo. Use ARG500 as your user ID and “perspectives” as your passcode for their website, mobile application “Spark,” or when calling them at 1-800-866-7556.

Incentivized Wellness Program lectures can be completed online as elective courses in TMS

· 4LIFE Lecture (20,000 Virgin Pulse points)
HEW113 Food for Thought: Everyday Eating for Wellness

· 20 Minute Seminars (1,000 Virgin Pulse points each)

o HEW113OCT Fill your Plate with Fall Vegetables

o HEW113NOV Reading Food Labels

o HEW113DEC Winter Weight Gain

o HEW113JAN Plan Ahead for Healthy Meals

o HEW113FEB Facts about Fiber

o HEW113MAR What to Do with a Sweet Tooth

Additional resources

· CDC guidance for stress and anxiety

· Virgin Pulse Work from Home Tip Sheet