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Information on wrapping up your tracking for the Healthy Choices program. Remember, you receive $100.00 in your HSA or paycheck for completing four quarters of the Healthy Choices program!

Be sure to check out our article on stress and the holidays! Encompass, GVSU's employee assistance service, is here to help you through all of the stressors that accompany the holidays. Be sure to look for our new Winter Events Guide, coming out soon, listing all of our upcoming programs and events that are happening in the Health and Wellness program.

We wish you a Happy Holidays and look forward to working with you in 2013!

Healthy Choices Incentive Program Final Deadlines!

Healthy Choices Incentive Program Deadline Reminder

It’s not too late to earn $100 if you successfully completed the online Health Risk Assessment (HRA) on UMR’s website. To be eligible for your $100 incentive you must also complete the biometric screen component. You can do this still by submitting a form to UMR from your health care professional before December 31st.

Faculty and staff who completed both HRA and biometric screen components AND have been tracking healthy activities each quarter this year don’t forget to track your 4th quarter activities by December 31st to be eligible for an additional $100 incentive.

Benefit eligible faculty and staff who did not complete the online health risk assessment (HRA) between March 1-23 or October 1-31 are no longer eligible for rewards. To verify components that have been completed and for additional details visit the Healthy Choices webpage. 

Success story: Sienna Mavima

Sienna Mavima, Assistant Director of the Small Business & Technology Development Center team, made the decision  to take control of her health, and  has taken advantage of UMR health coaching services, workshops, and activity classes offered through Human Resources Health and Wellness.

Working with a Coach
Sienna has seen two different health coaches who helped her set new, realistic goals every 2 to 3 weeks. They provided her with reading material and information that supported her specific goals.  They also helped her with her goals related to nutrition in the right direction toward success. Whenever she goes out to eat, she brings along the book “Eat This Not That” which was recommended by one of her health coaches.  Sienna also hired a personal trainer so she could learn how to use all of the equipment at the YMCA and also how to progress with her strength training.

Challenges
Sienna’s biggest challenge is time.  With her kids in after-school sports and lunch not being long enough to both eat and  workout, she has found that 5:00 AM workouts – four times during the work week and then during the day, two other days – works best.  She advocates strongly for these morning workouts because  nothing throughout the day can distract her from exercising.  Before she took her health by the reigns, she always thought that people who talked about that “runner’s high” were crazy.  Now, she refers to her morning workouts as a “daily dose you don’t want to miss”, because without them she feels “off” the rest of the day.

Her Advice
Sienna advises everyone to start utilizing the services and programs that are available!  She said that the health coaches will help you track your course and do everything they can to lead you to success.  "Not only do they give you information, but the website is a wealth of information as well" she says.  Sienna also suggests that everyone participate in Healthy Choices to stay aware of their cholesterol and blood sugar.  Her co-worker Carole WIlliams noticed a huge change and is inspired by her efforts.  Carol says “She is a positive force for us all!”

Learn more about UMR's Health Coaching Services

Do you know a faculty, staff member  or department who serves as a role model for healthy living? Nominate them for our monthly newsletter feature!

Plan ahead and seek support to ward off stress and depression

Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression.

Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression

1. Acknowledge your feelings.
2. Reach out.
3. Be realistic.
4. Set aside differences.
5. Stick to a budget.
6. Plan ahead.
7. Learn to say no.
8. Don't abandon healthy habits.
9. Take a breather.
10. Seek professional help if you need it.

Read the full article from the Mayo Clinic HERE

Remember, you can take advantage of up to five free counseling sessions (for faculty and staff members and household dependents) offered by Encompass, GVSU's employee assistance service. Encompass offers resources for help dealing with personal relationships, marriage and family issues, grief and loss, parenting teens, and other life issues. A 24/7 crisis intervention is available at  (616) 459-9180.

Know Your Supplemental Retirement Accounts Contribution Limits for 2013

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that the supplemental retirement account contribution limit for 2013 has increased by $500. There was no change in the catch-up contribution limit. The 2013 Grand Valley State University 403(b) and 457(b) supplemental contribution limits are:

403(b) and 457(b)
Contribution Limit: $17,500
Catch-up Contribution (age 50 and older): $5,500

Roth post-tax Option
A Roth post-tax 403(b) supplemental contribution option is available for the GVSU 403(b) Retirement Plan. For more information go to www.gvsu.edu/healthwellness.

If you are interested in changing your current contribution amount click here. Complete the appropriate salary reduction agreement and forward to HR at 140 LMH. If you have specific questions about any of the retirement programs at GVSU please contact Human Resources at X12220 or email healthandwellness@gvsu.edu

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