Welcome to MHealthy Living!
Supporting U-M faculty and staff's health and well-being

From the Chief Health Officer's Desk

Fall is in the air. Whether you will spend your Saturdays sipping pumpkin spice lattes or cheering on the Wolverines, I hope you will enjoy the autumn ahead.

As you begin this new semester, I encourage you to check out the brand-new well-being toolkit available through the Well-being Collective. These tools are designed for anyone involved in supporting well-being. Many tools are helpful for those who directly support students but you will also find tools for your own well-being. The toolkit includes filters by audience and well-being category. New content is added regularly.

We are already actively planning for flu season. You can check our newly launched public health dashboard for more details on current illness activity on and near campus. I encourage everyone to stay home when sick and to stay up to date on influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. This is one of the most important ways to enhance your protection. Michigan Medicine employees can obtain a flu vaccine at OHS clinics, and should also stay tuned to Headlines and other communication emails for updates.

Hunger Action Month

Having access to nutritious food is critical to practicing healthy behaviors and thriving at work and home. It's Hunger Action Month, a time to act against hunger and food insecurity.

In support, look for Maize and Blue Cupboard donation bins in departments across campus. Resources are also available if you need support or want to help. You can also take this short quiz to raise your awareness. At the end, enter to win a produce basket from Argus Farm Stop.

It's Time for Active U Autumn!

Have fun and get moving with the entire U-M community! Register for Active U Autumn, MHealthy's eight-week physical activity challenge. Choose to join a team or go it on your own. Then on Sept. 16, start logging your minutes online or by syncing your device.

For extra motivation, you'll get weekly emails full of tips. You can also enter Swag Squad drawings for a chance to win a $25 gift card. Every fitness and ability level is encouraged to join. Sign up by Sept. 30.

Visit the Summer Market at NCRC, Sept. 12

Don't forget to stop by the MHealthy Summer Market:

NCRC, Building 18, Dining Hall
Thursday, Sept. 12
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Experience local foods and products from vendors selling hand-crafted goods, fresh produce and locally-made foods like pastas, spreads, baked goods, spices and more.

Learn more about the market and other fresh produce programs on campus.

Recognize Champions and Wellness Committees

If you know of an MHealthy Champion or Champion-led Wellness Committee that has gone above and beyond to support a positive culture of well-being within their area, consider nominating them for the Dr. Robert A. Winfield MHealthy Champion Award or the LaVaughn Palma-Davis Wellness Committee Award (U-M uniqname and password required for access).

Award nominations are accepted through Sept. 18. Learn more about the MHealthy Champion program.

Register Now for Connecting the Dots Webinars!

The Connecting the Dots conference is a series of free virtual presentations with useful tips and strategies to help you live your best life both at work and at home. Learn about the benefits of intuitive eating. Get a new perspective on managing your career. Cultivate mindful self-compassion and gratitude. Empower your family with healthy habits. And learn how your Social Security benefits work when you retire!

Tips to Help Reduce Stress During Times of Transition

With summer over, you may be feeling stressed about your kids going back to school, the impact of thousands of students returning to campus or big projects at work. While you can't control everything, you can take steps to make transitions smoother. Read this article for five practical suggestions to help reduce the stress of change.

Be Well in the Big House, Sept. 19

Join hundreds of U-M faculty and staff at Michigan Stadium for Be Well in the Big House, Sept. 19 from 3 - 6:30 p.m. Space is still available on the field for yoga, Zumba and Football Skills and Thrills sessions! Register by Sept. 17. There’s also plenty to do on the concourse, including cardio drumming, Wheelchair Ultimate and more (no registration needed for the concourse)!

Nourish Your Whole Self

Create healthier relationships with food and your body with this free, 12-week program. You'll learn to tune into yourself to make choices that support you feeling nourished. MHealthy coaches offer guidance on eating mindfully, being kind to yourself and being thankful for your body. Registration opens Sept. 9 – sign up to get notified.

Fall In-person Physical Activity Classes

Sign up for yoga, boot camp, Zumba, strength training, cardio drumming and more! In-person physical activity classes take place at six locations: UH South Wellness Center, NCRC, KMS, Ann Arbor Ice Cube, Wolverine Tower and Cliff Keen Area.

Classes start Sept. 9. Most classes are $65 (cost is prorated once class starts).

Join the First-ever NAMIWalks Ann Arbor, Sept. 8!

Help raise awareness for mental health care and fight stigma! Participate in the first-ever NAMIWalks Ann Arbor, presented by U-M and the National Alliance on Mental Illness Michigan chapter, on Sept. 8.

Starts at Pierpont Commons, 2101 Bonisteel Blvd. On-site registration opens at 8 a.m. Walk begins at 10 a.m.

Community Sing 2024: Take Care

Join in Community Sing: Take Care, a participatory experience celebrating the healing power of music. This event is an invitation to come together, share in the collective strength of our voices, and find solace in community during challenging times.

Date: Friday, September 13, 2024
Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Location: Ingalls Mall

To help you be your best at work and at home, MHealthy supports U-M's philosophy that many factors impact your personal well-being.