January 2024 in Employee Wellness

January 2024 in Employee Wellness

Bravo Updates

  • Your enrollment results from last November have been loaded into your personal wellness portal at Bravo. Check it out!
  • GOOD and meh news:
    • The GOOD News: Ok all you Apple people. Bravo’s activity/step tracker received some enhancements. In addition to Withings, Garmin, and Fitbit, the website now syncs with your Apple Health app on your phone.
    • The Meh news: If you had a device or app synced in the past, you must re-sync it. The system reset on 1/1/2024. Don’t worry, historic data collected November and December will still count towards our 2024 Love Your Life goal.
    • Get started: Log in to your Bravo portal, click the steps/exercise tile and then click either of the links in the sidebar window. In the new window, sync your device under activity tracker or steps tracker.

NEW in 2024! Expanded Wellness Center access – FREE for UNCHA employees, residents, and IT

  • Hours:
    • Mon-Friday, 5:00a-7:30a; 3:00p-9:00p AND
    • Saturday and Sundays, 8:00a-2:00p
  • Must be active employee AND register for access through Employee Wellness
  • Locker rooms, showers (sorry, no towels), cardio equipment and weights will be available for use. Use at your own risk.
  • Equipment must be wiped down after use, returned to its proper place.
  • Depending on the time of day, patients will be in the facility using equipment. Patients are given priority for all equipment use.
  • You must register using the link below and wait for confirmation once your badge is cleared to enter the facility.
  • Get started: Register here

Active and Fit Direct is waiving their enrollment fee through 2/29! 

  • Use promo code STARTSTRONG
  • Standard Network includes Anytime Fitness and Watauga Rec Center. The YMCA of Avery County is in the Premium network.
  • More info here: https://benefits.employee.apprhs.org/active-fit-direct/
    • Must be on the ARHS Intranet to enroll in Active&Fit Direct

NEW in 2024! Monthly Webinars hosted by Cleveland Clinic

Register by clicking the link below.

In honor of American Heart Month and Valentine’s Day, show your heart some love with healthy habits. Join Coach Erica B. as she offers ideas to reduce your risk of heart disease by incorporating some simple, modifiable lifestyle habits surrounding your diet, exercise, relationships, sleep, and stress.

Join us for this webinar where you’ll learn the basics of a healthy and nourishing diet.  Discover practical tips for every day healthy eating and begin to fuel your body in a healthy and sustainable way.

Want to quit Nicotine/Tobacco as part of your 2024 New Years Resolution?

Quitting smoking continues to be one of the most important steps you can take to improve your health. Changing behavior takes practice and discipline. When you add a powerful physical addition such as nicotine to the mix, willpower alone is not always sufficient. Medications can help decrease withdrawal symptoms while you focus on new daily rituals.

  • Whether you smoke, chew, or vape, Employee Wellness offers supportive coaching and nicotine replacement support, free for any UNCH Appalachian employee.
  • Employees covered on the health plan also have access to both prescription or over-the-counter smoking cessation products.
  • Whenver you’re ready, sign up here: I’m ready to quit tobacco/nicotine

Other Wellbeing resources:

Wellness Center Employee Use Rules

Wellness Center Employee Use Rules

This page is no longer being updated.

Please visit the UNCHA Intranet to sign up for Wellness Center access.

Click here to be redirected 

 

General Rules and Expected Behavior

  1. Must be an active employee of UNC Appalachian and over the age of 18.
  2. Hours:
    • Monday-Friday: 5:00-7:30am and 3pm-9pm
    • Saturday-Sunday: 8:00am-2:00pm
  3. Gym access is prohibited to anyone who is not a current employee. This includes your family members/friends.
  4. Employees will adhere to UNC Appalachian’s HIPAA policies, HR Policies, and Standards of Behavior while using the Wellness Center space.
  5. You may not take photos or videos of others without their written consent.
  6. Do not remove equipment from the facility.
  7. Wipe down equipment after use and put all equipment back in its proper place.
  8. Bottled water is allowed in workout areas but please no other food or drinks.
  9. Cameras are in use in and around the facility.
  10.  Language that discriminates based on race, gender, sex, disability, social origin, or any other subject in our sole discretion will not be tolerated.

 

Accessibility:

  1. Once employee has enrolled, he/she/they will be given badge access through Employee Wellness/Hospital Police and notified by email with further instructions.
  2. Once approved, enter the facility through the badged door in between Wellness Center and Rehab Center main entrances. Look for “Employee Entrance” sign.
  3.  The following areas are available for use: Locker Rooms (2nd floor), Post Rehab Workout area (2nd floor, old cardio floor), Walking Track (2nd floor), Cardio Equipment (inside of track), Weight Room (1st floor).
  4. Do not enter the old basketball court, old racquetball court, or therapy pool. Employees are also not permitted to access the offices of AppOrtho, Cardiopulmonary Rehab or Wellness Center offices or workstations.
  5. You will be sharing space with patients and staff providing their care. Patients in Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy, or Post Rehab have priority on equipment use.
  6. You may not under any circumstance let anyone else use your badge to enter the Wellness Center.
  7. Your badge access is for you alone. You may not let anybody else into the Wellness Center once you have entered. This includes other employees.
  8. Lockers and showers are available for use. Towels are not provided.
  9. Lockers are provided for you to store your gear while you train (please bring your own padlock). We do not undertake that the use of a locker will guarantee that theft of, or damage to your property will not occur. We do not accept responsibility for any loss or theft of money or damage to personal property of members or their guests whether locked in a locker or otherwise.

 

Equipment Use

  1. Please use the equipment for its intended purpose & follow the instructions provided.
  2. Inspect equipment before use and do not use equipment that appears damaged &/or inoperable or any component appears to be missing or damaged.
  3. Any equipment that is broken or not working properly should be reported to the Wellness Center front desk at 266-1060 OR leave a comment card in the Comments/Suggestion Box located in the hallway near the Employee Entrance.
  4. Handle weights & equipment with care and replace after use. Do not drop or throw weights.
  5. No food, drinks or bags allowed on the training floor, except for water bottles and sports drinks. If you do spill your water or sports drink, please wipe it up.
  6. Please always use a sweat towel and wipe equipment after use with cleaning products provided.

 

Safety

  1. Please do not tamper with emergency exit doors or any safety devices.
  2. Please do not run in the club. Be aware of the different floor surfaces that you move across as you walk through the club. As ongoing cleaning & maintenance will be taking place, related tools & equipment may be hazardous & some floor surfaces may be wet, therefore slippery. Please proceed with caution.
  3. For any emergency while within the Wellness Center, call 911.
  4. If you feel unsafe and would like an escort out of the building or for any non-emergency please call Hospital Police at 262-4168 or Pager 1311.

 

General Waiver and Release

  1. The Wellness Center is to be entered into and exited entirely at your own risk and that the equipment, facilities and services will be utilized at your own risk.
  2. There are certain risks associated with any new behavior you adopt and you should seek the advice of your healthcare provider before stopping or starting any new program. These risks are based on your personal medical history and other factors.
  3. Participation is entirely voluntary and you may withdraw at any time, for any reason, and without penalty.
  4. In consideration for being allowed to participate and access the Wellness Center, I, for myself, my heirs, legal representatives and assigns, do hereby voluntarily release, waive, and discharge, UNC Appalachian Inc., its corporate affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers from any and all responsibility or liability from any cause of action, claim or demand of any nature whatsoever which relate to or arise out of my participation in the Program.

 

Sip, Stand, Stretch – Go Live Self Care Program

Sip, Stand, Stretch – Go Live Self Care Program

Sip, Stand, Stretch Challenge

September 17 – October 14

Sip, Stand, Stretch (3S) is a self-care intervention to promote health and wellbeing during the UNC Appalachian Epic Go-Live period.

Win prizes and improve your health just by standing, sipping, and stretching throughout your workday!

 

 

 

How does this program work?

The rules are simple. Your goal is to SIP, STAND, and STRETCH every hour that you are working.

SIP – Your goal is to increase hydration by drinking water each hour. How much water you need per day is dependent on many things such as your size and your activity level. No minimum amount is required for the challenge – just do your best to sip every hour! Coffee, tea, and infused waters do count towards your intake but we encourage you to do your best to drink water in its purest form! Sodas and other sugary beverages do not count.

STAND – Your goal is to stand up or move your body for a minimum of one minute every hour. If allowable, build to several minutes per hours and add other exercises if you choose, such as taking a short walk down the hall.

STRETCH – The goal is to, ideally, select stretches that target the parts of your body that are engaging in repetitive movements or being held static from looking at the computer (e.g. neck, shoulders, etc).  We will send examples and flyers to help!

TRACK: This is informal and passive! Hard copy forms will be available for pick up in Cannon lobby or at Watauga basement elevators. We will also email a form you can print or you can totally use your own form! At the end of the week, drop your weekly form in the box or email Employee Wellness. Prize drawings happening each week!

Giveaways: Week 1: Mast Store Candy Bags; Week 2: To help you with sip, 4 hydroflask bottles; Week 3: To help you with stand, $100 gift card to Mountain Running; and Week 4: to help you stretch (out), a Kelty outdoor loveseat/chair.

It is important to note that even if you did not sip, stand or stretch every hour, you will STILL RECEIVE credit for the day/week, just by submitting your participation form! Just note your total sip, stand, and stretch for the day.  Tracking and reporting heightens our awareness of our typical behaviors and identifies room for improvement and growth!

 

Click here to download and print our participation form: Sip Stand Stretch Participation Sheet (1)

 

Ten Minute Meditations

Why Meditate?

Meditation is a simple practice available to all, which can reduce stress, increase calmness and clarity and promote happiness. Whether in person, virtually, or both – taking a moment to be mindful in times of stress can have great impact on your workday. Join Employee Wellness throughout September and October for 10-minute meditations, hosted by our Director of Pastoral Care, Melanie Childers. Melanie will be leading meditation sessions in-person at both campuses as well as virtually, over Webex. Please click on the date below to register for a virtual meditation. 

Prefer to meditate alone? Here is a great article on How to Meditate from the New York Times to get you started. 

Virtual Meditations – Webex (Mondays at 2 pm)

Click on the date to register!

In Person Meditations – Watauga Medical Center (Fridays at Noon)
  • Come to the Meditation Room located in the lobby of the new Schafer Patient Care Tower.
  • No registration needed.
  • September 15th, September 22nd, September 29th, and October 6th 
In Person Meditations – Cannon Memorial Hospital (Mondays at 3pm)
  • No registration needed.
  • September 18th (Linville Room)
  • October 3rd (Oak Room)

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Briana Coggin at becoggin@apprhs.org.

2023 Love Your Life – what you need to know

2023 Love Your Life – what you need to know

What you need to know:

  • Love Your Life Eligibility: Primary covered employees enrolled or enrolling on the 2023 ARHS medical plan
  • Incentives: To be eligible for Premium Discount AND Wellness Credits, you must complete enrollment by the communicated deadlines.
    • Premium Discount: Save $100/month on your medical premiums ($50.00 discount per premium deduction)
    • Wellness Credits: Earn up to $400.00 annually for meeting health goals*

 

Key Dates

  • 2023 Program Dates: 10/1/2022 – 9/30/2023
  • Alternative Standard Forms Due: 10/31/2023
    • If you cannot meet a goal, you may use the Alternative Standard Form signed by your healthcare provider.
    • Download the form at your Bravo portal and follow the instructions.
  • 2024 Enrollment: November 2023 (est)

 

Wellness Credits*

Employees who enroll in the Love Your Life Open Enrollment (Fall) are eligible to earn Wellness Credits for meeting health outcomes. New employees or employees with a qualifying event for benefits who enroll in 2023 program after 12/1/2022 qualify for the premium discount only.

Wellness Credits are issued every quarter for outcomes met in that quarter. The full amount earned in the quarter is issued the monthly following quarter’s end.

2023 Wellness Credit Reward Dates

  • October – December 2022: Rewarded in February 2023
  • January – March 2023: Rewarded in April 2023
  • April – June 2023: Rewarded in July 2023 (Estimated)
  • July-September 2023 : Rewarded in October (Estimated)

 

  • If you are unable to meet the health goal for any reason, an alternative will be given to you. Alternatives include (1) improvement level from previous year (if applicable) and/or (2) Healthcare Provider/PCP goal filed through a waiver/appeal process. For full details, log in to your Bravo portal after 11/1/2022.
Worksite Wellness Month

Worksite Wellness Month

 

Celebrate National Worksite Wellness Month 

June 1 – 30

While Employee Wellness loves to celebrate wellbeing everyday, we are using National Worksite Wellness Month in June to inspire something special into your every day. Each day is a guided prompt or event in which you can participate. Give it a try!

Download the Calendar Here for National Worksite Wellness Month

 

Special Events in June

  • Thanks for celebrating with us!!!