Whether it's sunny or cloudy outside, it is important to protect your skin from UV rays. One of the best ways to do this is to use a “broadscreen” sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and reapply often when outside for longer periods of time. Sunscreen not only helps to prevent severe damage to skin that can show as skin cancer, but it also can also help to reduce rashes if taking “photosensitive” medications like antibiotics, retinoids, antihistamines, etc. Any questions about proper skincare should be directed to your healthcare professional or pharmacist.

Getting active and staying fit is important at all stages of life, and the summer is a great time to soak up the beautiful weather while starting or continuing your journey to your fitness goals. Exercise may help strengthen your heart, improve your mood and keep your weight in a healthy range. But prioritizing regular exercise can be easier said than done. Here are some tips to help you start and stick with an exercise plan that works for you.

• Scheduling workout time on your calendar and trying your best to stick to it but trying not to be so rigid that you feel discouraged if life may get in the way (it might).
• Not dwelling on the workout, itself and instead thinking about putting on your shoes and getting to your destination, wherever that may be. Sometimes just getting on your gear may be the biggest hurdle.
• Not comparing yourself to others. Many people’s fitness journeys look different. Try to visualize your success. Remember why you started. Every step you take — even little ones — are steps in a positive direction.

Together, nature and mindfulness have been proven to reduce stress and improve well-being. From Acadia to Zion, Joshua Tree to Haleakala, and more, Headspace brings the national parks to you, with new meditations, wind-downs, and sleep audio this summer. Join Headspace today at no cost to try out these sessions.

Money on your mind? You’re not alone. 60% of full-time employees are stressed about their finances (PwC 2023 Employee Financial Wellness Survey). If you are looking to relieve some stress and equip yourself with some new financial tools and resources for creating a plan to repay student loans, build an emergency savings plan or begin to save for retirement, grab your GW financial passport and join us on our journey toward improved financial well-being.

During this journey, you will be able to collect unique GW stamps and earn incentives as you move through the following locations: managing money, building resilience, growing wealth, and protecting wealth. Once you complete a session, you will receive your stamp via email to add to your passport and you will be automatically entered to win some GW swag such as these easy to travel with picnic blankets!

Wherever you are traveling from, GW Benefits, along with our vendor partners, are here to help you reach a more healthy and secure destination. 

Check out what’s coming up this month:

 

Building Resilience: Monday, July 17

11 AM ET I Tackle debt and Understand your credit score with Fidelity

 

Introduction to Financial Well-being: Tuesday, July 18

1 PM ET I Introduction to Financial Well-being with Fidelity

On Demand I Fundamentals of Financial Well-being with UHC

On Demand I How You Money Series with Fidelity

 

Growing Wealth: Thursday, July 20

11 AM ET I Buying a Home with Fidelity

 

Protecting Wealth: Monday, July 24

12PM ET I Cybersecurity: Help protect you, your family and your money with TIAA

 

Managing Money: Thursday, July 27

12 PM ET I Charting your Course: A Financial Guide for Women with TIAA

Well-being Wednesdays* provide employees opportunities to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle both at work and at home. We invite you to join us each Wednesday as we explore and engage with the four pillars of well-being including financial, emotional, physical, and social.

 

Take a look at this month’s offerings below and stay tuned for more as we continue to build a community of well-being.

 

Physical: Wednesday, July 19

10AM ET I EAP - Taking Sleep Seriously

11:30AM ET I SimpleTherapy - 15 Minute Stretch Break

 

Emotional: Wednesday, July 26

On Demand I Headspace - Mindfulness at Work Meditation

11:30AM ET I Nourish - Picky Eaters: How to Raise Picky Eaters

 

Sneak Peek into August's Offerings!

Emotional: Wednesday, August 2

10AM ET I SoHooked - Healthy Habits 101

1PM ET I EAP - Work and Home Balancing Act

 

*Event participants have a chance to earn a $75 reward from the SoHooked Wellness Marketplace. Please note the value of winnings is taxable and will be included in employee’s payroll.

New Free GrubHub Membership!

 

Here at GW, we continue to explore ways to give members of our community access to healthy food options. As of July 1, all members of the GW community now have the ability to receive a free Grubhub+ Membership, which includes:

• Unlimited orders with $0 delivery fee on orders of $18 or more
• Access to exclusive offers

 

GW Faculty and Staff are able to redeem this benefit by following the steps below:

• Download the Grubhub app (An account can be created with any email/password you would like.)
• Under “Account,” select “Campus dining”
• Select “George Washington University”
• Enter your GW email and password
• Select “I am faculty / staff”
• Receive membership instantly and have healthy food delivered right to your doorstep!

Paid Time Off Reminder

 

If you’ve ever felt refreshed after stepping away from your desk and taking a walk or joining an exercise class, you understand how a break can improve your productivity. Take off a few days or a week and you’ll come back feeling ready to take on new challenges.

 

With the start of the new fiscal year (July 1), we encourage you to check your time off balance and view the time off and leave policy including carryover allowances, so you can plan to use your well-earned time away.

Relax and Rejuvenate - Free Employee Seated Massages!  

Faculty and staff can enjoy free seated massages at Foggy Bottom and Virginia Science and Technology campuses this summer!

 

Foggy Bottom - University Student Center

July 19, 2023

Reserve Your Spot!

 

VSTC - Enterprise Hall 

July 25, 2023

Reserve Your Spot!

July 18 at 2:00pm ET

Summertime Health

Summertime safety includes water, sun, and food. This presentation will review the role that water, sun and food play on our bodies, as well as how to incorporate summertime health into your daily routine.

Register here: UHC

 

July 20 at 2:00pm ET

Managing Privacy on Social Media

Join us for a special webinar with guest presenter, Chris Shelton, a Fraud Resolution Specialist, to explore how oversharing can endanger personal and financial safety.

Register here: Health Advocate

 

On Demand - In case you missed it!

Tuition Remission Info Session

Please review the recorded overview of the Tuition Remission benefit, including employee and dependent eligibility, how to submit the new application now open at go.gwu.edu/TRapplication, an overview of applying for graduate course tax exemption and important deadlines.

Watch the recording here: GW Benefits

 

Mark Your Calendar and Check Back Often!

Did you know we have a GW Benefits events webpage? Be sure to check it out throughout the month as additional opportunities will be added!

1:1 UnitedHealthcare Meetings

Meet with GW’s UnitedHealthcare representative, Jessica Wachter, to review outstanding claims and/or ask questions about your medical coverage. She will reach out prior to your appointment to provide a virtual meeting link.

• Schedule Appointments via YouCanBook.me.

For future appointments, please use the arrows in the upper right corner to scroll to the next month. 

 

1:1 Retirement Counseling

Retirement plan participants can schedule financial counseling by appointment with TIAA or Fidelity. To book an appointment, call your preferred provider or use the online booking systems listed below:

• Fidelity Investments - Make an appointment online or call 800-642-7131
• TIAA - Make an appointment online or call 866-843-5640

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