Dear GW Community,
We're excited to share this month's newsletter, filled with resources, events, and opportunities to support your overall well-being at GW.
In recognition of Mental Health Month, we are launching the Mind Your Well-Being campaign, an initiative focused on building simple, everyday habits that strengthen resilience, balance, and connection across four key areas: emotions, body, relationships, and finances.
Alongside this campaign, you’ll find our new book club selection, the Headspace Loved Ones enhancement, available fitness discounts and memberships, and financial well-being programming. You’ll also see upcoming events and opportunities to connect with benefits vendor partners, important benefits reminders, and additional ways to relax, recharge and take care of yourself throughout May.
For questions about any of our benefits programs, please contact us at benefits@gwu.edu.
Be Well,
GW Benefits
Human Resource Management and Development
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Get to Know Your Benefits and Well-being Resources
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Mind Your Well-Being: More Good Days, Together |
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This month, GW is launching our Mind Your Well-Being campaign in recognition of Mental Health Month. Aligned with the 2026 national theme, “More Good Days, Together,” the campaign focuses on caring for the whole person and celebrates the power of everyday habits to build support resilience, restore balance, and strengthen our sense of belonging.
Throughout May, employees are invited to participate in Mindful Moments, a series of events, activities, and resources designed to support well-being across four core pillars: Mind Your Emotions, focuses on navigating feelings with mindfulness and resilience; Mind Your Body, explores the connection between physical health and mental clarity; Mind Your Connections, centers on strengthening the social bonds that help us thrive; and Mind Your Money, provides tools and resources to help reduce financial stress and support peace of mind. Explore the full calendar of events and join us as we come together to create more good days for ourselves and for our GW community.
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2026 Financial Well-being at GW |
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GW’s 2026 Financial Well-Being Campaign, inspired by the “loud budgeting” movement, encourages you to be intentional and transparent about how you spend, save, and prioritize money. In recognition of the rising living costs and ongoing financial pressures, this campaign aims to normalize open conversations about money, encourage healthy spending boundaries, reduce financial stress, and support more confident financial decision-making.
We invite you to “get loud” with us by completing the campaign form and taking part in May's events listed below.
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NEW: Get Happier and Healthier, Together. Introducing the Headspace Loved Ones Enhancement |
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Support your well-being and share it with those you care about. Employees can now invite up to five loved ones to experience Headspace's mindfulness and well-being resources at no cost. To get started, visit the Manage Family page, select “Edit” next to Subscription Details, and choose “Manage Accounts.” From there, add your loved ones’ email addresses and save. Each invitee will receive an email with instructions to set up their account.
If you don’t already have an account, you can get started today.
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Supporting your mental health can start with small, intentional steps that nurture your overall well-being. One important way to care for your mind is through physical wellness. Regular movement, exercise, and time to recharge can help reduce stress, improve mood, increase energy, and support overall emotional wellness.
To help you prioritize your well-being, GW offers a variety of fitness and wellness discounts, including reduced memberships at the Lerner Health & Wellness Center, discounted access to The Fitness Equation, Active & Fit Direct, and Equinox, as well as special annual membership rates to Capital Bikeshare. Benefits-eligible employees can also explore wellness products, virtual fitness classes, nutrition programs, and more through the Husk Marketplace by visiting the GW Employee Assistance Program website and using the group code “gw”.
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Expand your Reading Horizons |
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Are you ready to embark on a new reading adventure? The GWell Chapter Chasers Book Club is gearing up for our next book, Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker PhD. All faculty and staff are invited to join us for the reading period beginning May 22 through July 24. It’s a fantastic opportunity to dive into a new story and share your insights with fellow GW colleagues!
Interested in joining? Sign up!
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Don't Miss These Upcoming Events
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Mark Your Calendar and Check Back Often!
Did you know that we have a GW Benefits events webpage? Be sure to check it out throughout the month as additional opportunities will be added.
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TIAA & Fidelity 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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| Aetna 1:1 Meetings
Meet with GW’s Aetna representative to review outstanding claims and/or ask questions about your medical or dental coverage. After scheduling an appointment, you will receive an email from Aetna to confirm your meeting time.
Note: If an appointment time does not work for you, the Aetna Concierge phone line is available at 844-989-8811, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET to provide personalized 1:1 support.
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Complimentary Massage Opportunities |
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Faculty and staff can enjoy free seated massages at Foggy Bottom and Virginia Science and Technology campuses on a first come, first served basis. We would like to accommodate as many colleagues as possible, so if you have already received a seated massage in the last few months, we ask that slots for the dates below be reserved for colleagues who have not yet received one. Thanks for your consideration!
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GW Benefits
44983 Knoll Square, Suite 391
Ashburn, VA 20147
Phone: (571) 553-8382
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44983 Knoll Square Suite 391 | Ashburn, VA 20147 US
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