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

From the Chief Health Officer's Desk

As many of you may know, the university has designated this as the Year of Human Health and Well-Being (learn more about the theme year below). I am honored to serve as a co-lead along with Karen Schmidt, senior director of MHealthy and Health and Well-being Services in UHR, and John Ayanian, professor and director of the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.

While many exciting efforts will come out of the theme year, I am especially proud of the opportunity it provides to highlight the excellent work already taking place and to build on our partnerships. Our community is at its best when we support each other.

This time of year offers many ways to make a difference, including options outside of the workplace. Donate blood through the Red Cross – blood donations are especially needed during the holidays when blood banks tend to run low. Or consider a contribution to Wolverine Essentials, either in the form of a monetary donation or non-perishable foods. Together, we can have a real impact near and far.

Cut Back or Abstain from Alcohol this Season

For some, the holiday season is a time for celebrating with loved ones. For others, it may be a cause for stress or anxiety. In both cases, alcohol could play a role.

If you're thinking about cutting back or abstaining from alcohol, sign up for weekly "Holiday Stop and Swap" emails from the MHealthy Alcohol Management Program. From Nov. 16 – Jan. 4, get tips and resources focused on cutting back, abstaining, or both, plus a weekly swap challenge to support positive change.

Be a Quitter – the Great American Smokeout is Nov. 19

Quitting tobacco is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Tobacco harms nearly every organ of the body and is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S.

The Great American Smokeout is Nov. 19, a day when thousands start their tobacco-free journey. MHealthy Tobacco Consultation Service is here to help. Resources, including counseling, quit kits and more, are available if you are thinking about quitting or are ready to quit.

U-M Launches the Year of Human Health and Well-Being

U-M's 2026–27 Year of Human Health and Well-Being, part of the Look to Michigan vision, brings together expertise from across the university to advance whole-person well-being, strengthen collaboration and build on existing work. The theme year website will serve as a hub for theme year activities, grant opportunities and programs and events across U-M and Michigan Medicine.

Faculty and staff can get involved by participating in activities, sharing relevant programs and events and identifying potential collaborations. Visit the Human Health and Well-Being website regularly for updates and new opportunities.

Reset Your Sleep and Test Your Sleep I.Q.

Daylight Saving Time ended on Nov. 1 and we gained one hour. Sounds good right? Not always. Even this small shift can affect your sleep cycle, disrupting your rest for several days.

Resources are available to help you adjust and get better sleep. You can also take the updated eight-question sleep I.Q. challenge to learn about afternoon sleepiness, the sleep-deprived brain, immunity, appetite and more. You'll also have an opportunity to win a $25 gift card!

Menopause Awareness Resources

October's Menopause Awareness Month highlighted a natural life stage that can bring physical and emotional changes. Visit the menopause awareness webpage for MHealthy and U-M Benefits Office resources and a four-part article series on perimenopause, hormone therapy, brain health and bone health.

A recording of "Navigating Menopause Together" from this year's Connecting the Dots conference is also available to help you navigate this transition.

Connecting the Dots Recordings Now Available

Recordings from this year's Connecting the Dots conference are now available.

Learn to navigate an AI-driven world, find support for aging relatives, leverage your strengths, and build a sense of mattering. Plus, gain clarity on menopause health and plan your Social Security future with confidence.

Lift Your Mind and Mood with Presentations and Resources

Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO) is offering a number of presentations and discussion groups in November to support your mind, mood and emotional well-being. Upcoming sessions include creating healthy boundaries, managing stress, forgiveness and more.

Year-round mental health and well-being support is also available. Quick, confidential online screenings are available via Aiberry. Benefits-eligible employees and spouses or Other Qualified Adults (OQAs) enrolled in a U-M health plan can also access two research-based tools through the MHealthy Portal: the Flourishing Assessment and the VIA Character Strengths Survey. These assessments can help participants identify and build on their strengths and support overall well-being.

New – MHealthy Nutrition Consultations

A nutrition consultation can benefit anyone. The 30-minute virtual session is free and is an opportunity to meet with an MHealthy registered dietitian to explore your nutrition goals, answer your questions and support you.

Our team takes an intuitive eating approach, which is based on rejecting diet culture, honoring your hunger and fullness, eating for satisfaction, respecting your body and honoring your health. Nutrition consultations are open to all faculty and staff.

Workshop: Maximize Social Security in Your Retirement

Deciding when to claim Social Security can be one of the most important—and complex—choices in retirement planning. On Nov. 18, learn how Social Security works, what to consider when deciding when to claim and strategies for making the most of your benefit. Presented by MHealthy and Fidelity Investments, a trusted partner in administering U-M’s retirement savings plans.

Workshop: Making Cents – Strategies for Reducing Everyday Expenses

As the cost of essentials like housing, food, energy and transportation continue to rise, many households are looking for practical ways to stretch their budgets. On Dec. 9, join the U-M Credit Union's Financial Education Team to discover 15 tips and strategies for keeping more money in your wallet. Explore familiar—and lesser-known—ways to reduce everyday expenses.

Free Virtual Cooking Classes, Dec. 9 and 16

Registration opens Nov. 23 for MHealthy's December virtual cooking classes. Celebrate the season with simple, cheerful recipes perfect for entertaining, gifting and bringing a little delicious wellness to your holidays. You'll also get tips for saving time and cutting costs. Sign up to get notified when registration opens.

Nourish Your Whole Self

A growing body of research supports shifting the focus away from dieting and weight loss towards a more thoughtful approach. Nourish Your Whole Self is a free 12-week program based on the concept of intuitive eating. MHealthy coaches offer guidance on eating mindfully, being kind to yourself and being thankful for your body.

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.