[{"id":6968,"date":"2026-04-24T08:04:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T08:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6968"},"modified":"2026-04-07T20:05:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T20:05:02","slug":"funny-friday-277","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/24\/funny-friday-277\/","title":{"rendered":"Funny Friday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"716\" height=\"847\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-24-26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6969\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-24-26.jpg 716w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-24-26-254x300.jpg 254w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6968","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6968","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6968"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6968\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6968"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6968"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6972,"date":"2026-04-23T07:40:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T07:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6972"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:47:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:47:04","slug":"what-is-cortisol-how-to-manage-the-stress-hormone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/23\/what-is-cortisol-how-to-manage-the-stress-hormone\/","title":{"rendered":"What is cortisol? How to manage the stress hormone."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>It\u2019s&nbsp;3:00&nbsp;AM and you are wide awake.&nbsp;Your mind races from one stressful topic to the next. Your heart is racing too, and your muscles are&nbsp;tight.&nbsp;Just when you think&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;about to finally drift off to sleep, your phone buzzes with another notification. If this feels&nbsp;familiar,&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;not alone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stress can keep you up at night.&nbsp;In fact, stress can make you feel sick, depressed,&nbsp;hungry&nbsp;and more.&nbsp;When you are stressed, a hormone called cortisol floods your bloodstream and impacts nearly every system in your body.&nbsp;With constant&nbsp;stress comes the&nbsp;harmful&nbsp;effects of&nbsp;heightened&nbsp;cortisol on the body.&nbsp;Let\u2019s&nbsp;talk about what cortisol is&nbsp;and&nbsp;how it works in your&nbsp;body. Then&nbsp;let\u2019s&nbsp;explore ways to manage it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"986\" height=\"657\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-14-26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6973\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-14-26.jpg 986w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-14-26-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-14-26-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is cortisol?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s&nbsp;a reason why&nbsp;they call cortisol \u201cthe stress hormone.\u201d&nbsp;When you feel&nbsp;physical&nbsp;symptoms&nbsp;of stress, chances are cortisol&nbsp;is&nbsp;involved.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But despite being \u201cthe stress hormone,\u201d&nbsp;cortisol&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;inherently bad for you.&nbsp;The release of cortisol is part of a larger stress response&nbsp;called \u201cfight or flight.\u201d&nbsp;The human body developed&nbsp;fight&nbsp;or&nbsp;flight&nbsp;to&nbsp;keep us&nbsp;safe&nbsp;from&nbsp;danger.&nbsp;When you are confronted with&nbsp;a threat,&nbsp;chemicals like&nbsp;adrenaline and&nbsp;cortisol help you&nbsp;stay&nbsp;alert&nbsp;and agile&nbsp;enough to either fight or flee from the threat.&nbsp;How? Below are ways that healthy amounts of cortisol help you in dangerous situations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Blood sugar management\u2014cortisol tells your liver to produce more glucose, giving you\u00a0a boost of energy and fuel to act quickly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inflammation\u2014cortisol\u00a0is a powerful anti-inflammatory\u00a0agent. It helps keep your immune system from overreacting by suppressing inflammation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blood pressure\u2014cortisol helps with vasoconstriction\u2014when your blood vessels get tighter, which\u00a0increases\u00a0blood pressure. The temporary increase in blood pressure helps\u00a0blood flow to more vital organs during stressful situations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Circadian\u00a0(sleep\/wake)\u00a0rhythm\u2014cortisol helps you wake up in the morning. About 30-45 minutes before you wake up, your cortisol levels are at their highest. Throughout the day, they should decline as part of a healthy rhythm of wakefulness and sleep.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does&nbsp;too much&nbsp;cortisol&nbsp;impact&nbsp;the body?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As with most things, moderation is key.&nbsp;Cortisol becomes a problem when your body constantly perceives a threat when there&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;one.&nbsp;Your body&nbsp;doesn\u2019t&nbsp;know the difference between a life-threatening situation and a modern-day stressor like an argument&nbsp;or an email from your boss. So everyday stress&nbsp;can easily keep your body&nbsp;in a state of chronic stress.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When this happens, your&nbsp;blood&nbsp;is constantly flooded with cortisol.&nbsp;Let\u2019s&nbsp;take a look&nbsp;at how too much cortisol can negatively&nbsp;impact&nbsp;your health:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Weight management\u2014elevated cortisol promotes fat storage, especially around your belly.\u00a0It can contribute to\u00a0excess visceral\u00a0fat. Visceral fat\u00a0is associated with many serious\u00a0health\u00a0conditions\u00a0like heart disease and certain cancers.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teladochealth.com\/library\/article\/What-is-visceral-fat-and-why-does-it-matter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read more about visceral fat here.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blood\u00a0sugar management\u2014elevated cortisol can raise your blood sugar. Over time,\u00a0higher blood sugar\u00a0can contribute to insulin resistance, which can set the stage for developing type 2 diabetes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cardiovascular health\u2014when\u00a0cortisol is elevated all the time, you may develop high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol\u00a0levels\u00a0and a faster heart rate. These metrics may\u00a0increase your\u00a0risk\u00a0of developing or worsening\u00a0cardiovascular\u00a0diseases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sleep\u2014too much cortisol can\u00a0impact\u00a0your sleep quality and natural sleep rhythms. Sometimes, elevated cortisol can lead to insomnia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mental health\u2014elevated cortisol can lead to increased anxiety and depression.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you know when your cortisol is high?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Care providers&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;usually&nbsp;test for&nbsp;cortisol levels during your annual exam. Your care provider may suggest a blood or urine test for cortisol levels if they believe you may&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;from it. Reasons your provider might suggest a cortisol test may be if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They believe you may have an adrenal gland disorder\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They want to investigate a set of symptoms\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0been experiencing\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They want to\u00a0monitor\u00a0medication side effects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes high cortisol levels can be&nbsp;an indication&nbsp;of an underlying medical condition, like Cushing\u2019s&nbsp;syndrome. Let your care provider know if you develop any of the&nbsp;following&nbsp;symptoms&nbsp;associated with high&nbsp;cortisol:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Weight gain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hair loss in women\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stretch marks, often red or purple, on the belly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High blood pressure\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High blood sugar<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Muscle weakness in your arms and legs\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If your care provider&nbsp;confirms&nbsp;that you have&nbsp;high&nbsp;cortisol,&nbsp;they may&nbsp;do&nbsp;additional&nbsp;tests to see&nbsp;what\u2019s&nbsp;causing it. They may&nbsp;prescribe medication or suggest surgery, depending on the&nbsp;root of the issue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your provider&nbsp;doesn\u2019t&nbsp;believe you need a cortisol test&nbsp;or your levels are within range,&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;OK.&nbsp;Living with chronic stress, even when you&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;know your cortisol levels, can be harmful to your health.&nbsp;The good news is that even if you&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;have&nbsp;a diagnosis,&nbsp;you can still find a healthy balance of stress and relaxation, which&nbsp;impacts&nbsp;your cortisol levels.&nbsp;Keep reading to find ways to help improve your stress management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you manage elevated cortisol?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lowering your cortisol depends on&nbsp;what\u2019s&nbsp;causing it to be elevated.&nbsp;Let\u2019s&nbsp;explore some methods and tips to help you&nbsp;balance your cortisol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Medication\u2014depending on your diagnosis, your provider may prescribe medication.&nbsp;Some medications reduce the production of cortisol while others block your body from using it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stress management\u2014managing&nbsp;stress is one of the best things you&nbsp;can do for your overall health. But how?&nbsp;Check out&nbsp;\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teladochealth.com\/library\/article\/recognizing-and-managing-stress\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Recognizing and managing stress\u201d<\/a>&nbsp;for helpful tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regular exercise\u2014exercising on a&nbsp;regular basis trains&nbsp;your body to better handle cortisol&nbsp;in&nbsp;the long run.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prioritize sleep\u2014sleep helps you recover from all types of stress throughout the day. Make some time to wind down before bed. Create a consistent sleep schedule that you can stick to. Check out these&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teladochealth.com\/library\/article\/seven-ways-to-get-the-best-sleep-of-your-life\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">7 ways to get the best sleep of your life<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Breathe&nbsp;deeply\u2014breathing&nbsp;exercises help&nbsp;trigger \u201crest and digest.\u201d&nbsp;Think of rest and digest as the opposite of fight or flight. Slow&nbsp;deep-breathing&nbsp;exercises help your body&nbsp;become relaxed, counteracting the effects of stress.&nbsp;Learn&nbsp;more about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teladochealth.com\/library\/article\/how-deep-breathing-reduces-stress\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how deep breathing reduces stress<\/a>&nbsp;here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s&nbsp;3:00&nbsp;AM and you are wide awake.&nbsp;Your mind races from one stressful topic to the next. Your heart is racing too, and your muscles are&nbsp;tight.&nbsp;Just when you think&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;about to finally drift off to sleep, your phone buzzes with another notification. If this feels&nbsp;familiar,&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;not alone.&nbsp; Stress can keep you up at night.&nbsp;In fact, stress can make you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6972","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6972"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6972\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6986,"date":"2026-04-22T06:23:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T06:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6986"},"modified":"2026-04-14T20:25:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T20:25:12","slug":"movement-that-restores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/22\/movement-that-restores\/","title":{"rendered":"Movement That Restores"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When your day feels nonstop, even the idea of working out can feel like too much. Not because you don\u2019t want to move, but because what you really need is something that helps you slow down instead of push harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tai Chi offers a different approach. This ancient practice combines gentle movement with focused breathing to help reduce stress, improve mood, and support better sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may have seen variations of it on social media, like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.us11.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=1830e3c3d9dd1f0d36ffaa91b&amp;id=bd8d269134&amp;e=3d56f51b50\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tai Chi Walking<\/a>, but at its core, it\u2019s low-impact and accessible, making it easier to stick with than more intense workouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This week, try Tai Chi as a lighter way to keep your body moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"736\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-22-26-1024x736.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6987\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-22-26-1024x736.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-22-26-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-22-26-768x552.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-22-26.jpg 1182w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s well-documented that exercise is great for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/adaa.org\/understanding-anxiety\/related-illnesses\/other-related-conditions\/stress\/physical-activity-reduces-st\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stress relief<\/a>. Getting active not only distracts you, but physically calms you down as well. Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art that has been practiced for millennia, is renowned for its meditative nature and ability to reduce stress while promoting strength, flexibility, and balance. This Monday, consider introducing yourself to Tai Chi for a stress-free week ahead!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3917559\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Studies<\/a>&nbsp;tout the benefits of Tai Chi as a way to fend off symptoms of anxiety and depression. A typical Tai Chi practice involves a sequence of slow-moving poses paired with \u201cchanges in mental focus, breathing, coordination, and relaxation.\u201d The poses themselves are simple and low-impact, making it easy on joints and muscles and generally&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org\/discussion\/mayo-mindfulness-tai-chi-is-a-gentle-way-to-fight-stress\/\">safe for any fitness level<\/a>. Even people with certain health conditions can practice by making modifications if needed. You can always ask to observe a class before taking one to see what the movements look like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what is Tai chi? A big part of it is&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/the-health-benefits-of-tai-chi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chinese philosophy<\/a>, especially the flow of&nbsp;<em>Qi<\/em>, or energy, and&nbsp;<em>yin and yang<\/em>, which is all about balance and harmony. The movements of Tai Chi are designed to encourage the easy movement of&nbsp;<em>Qi<\/em>&nbsp;throughout the body. Many of the poses complement or correspond to each other, tapping into your balance every time you shift positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The key to Tai Chi as a way to reduce stress is letting your mind focus on the practice. The physical movement will help to keep you moving, but the element of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.com\/stress-management\/research\/mindfulness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>mindfulness<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;is something you can take with you throughout the day. Tai Chi provides a soothing, dynamic outlet if you need to calm your mind, move your body, and bring some balance into your daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re ready to give Tai Chi a try, you can search online for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mskcc.org\/cancer-care\/diagnosis-treatment\/symptom-management\/integrative-medicine\/multimedia\/tai-chi-video-series\">videos with experienced instructors<\/a>&nbsp;who can explain the movements and methods. These movements may not be appropriate for all fitness levels, so please first check with your doctor to discuss what you might do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This week, try Tai Chi to get into a meditative flow and get on your feet!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When your day feels nonstop, even the idea of working out can feel like too much. Not because you don\u2019t want to move, but because what you really need is something that helps you slow down instead of push harder. Tai Chi offers a different approach. This ancient practice combines gentle movement with focused breathing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6986","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6986"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6986\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6986"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6986"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6980,"date":"2026-04-21T07:28:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T07:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6980"},"modified":"2026-04-14T19:49:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T19:49:28","slug":"everyday-habits-for-stronger-bones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/21\/everyday-habits-for-stronger-bones\/","title":{"rendered":"Everyday habits for stronger bones"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Bone health changes over time, but everyday habits can make a meaningful difference. While some risk factors for osteoporosis cannot be changed, others can be addressed through practical steps that help maintain bone strength and lower the risk of fractures. From staying active to reviewing certain medications with your doctor, a few consistent habits can support long-term mobility and independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stay active with weight-bearing and strength-building exercise:\u00a0<\/strong>Regular physical activity supports bone health at every age. Weight-bearing activities such as walking and strength training help maintain bone density while improving balance and stability. Staying active can also reduce the deconditioning that increases the risk of falls over time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aim for a healthy weight:<\/strong>\u00a0Being significantly underweight or losing weight in an unhealthy way can affect bone health. At the same time, excess weight may also contribute to falls and other health concerns. The goal is not to weigh too much or too little, but to maintain a healthy weight for your age, height and overall health needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Avoid smoking:\u00a0<\/strong>Smoking affects more than the lungs and heart \u2014 it also affects bone health. It can interfere with hormones involved in bone maintenance, disrupt calcium absorption and contribute to bone loss over time. Quitting smoking can help slow that process, even later in life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limit alcohol:<\/strong>\u00a0Over time, too much alcohol can weaken bones and increase the risk of fractures. It may also affect balance, which can make falls more likely. Limiting alcohol is one practical step that supports both bone strength and overall health.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Review medications and health conditions with your doctor:\u00a0<\/strong>Some medications and medical conditions can affect bone health or increase fracture risk. If you take corticosteroids or other long-term medications \u2014 or have conditions that affect nutrient absorption, hormone levels or mobility \u2014 it may be worth discussing bone health with your doctor. This can help guide your next steps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These habits are a strong place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"541\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/may-5-26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6981\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/may-5-26.jpg 541w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/may-5-26-243x300.jpg 243w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 541px) 100vw, 541px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bone health changes over time, but everyday habits can make a meaningful difference. While some risk factors for osteoporosis cannot be changed, others can be addressed through practical steps that help maintain bone strength and lower the risk of fractures. From staying active to reviewing certain medications with your doctor, a few consistent habits can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6980","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6980"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6980\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6915,"date":"2026-04-20T04:32:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T04:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6915"},"modified":"2026-03-10T16:33:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T16:33:01","slug":"motivational-monday-154","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/20\/motivational-monday-154\/","title":{"rendered":"Motivational Monday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"673\" height=\"663\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/03\/Apr-20-26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6916\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/03\/Apr-20-26.jpg 673w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/03\/Apr-20-26-300x296.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 673px) 100vw, 673px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6915","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6915","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6915"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6915\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6915"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6915"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6966,"date":"2026-04-17T08:03:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T08:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6966"},"modified":"2026-04-07T20:04:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T20:04:31","slug":"funny-friday-276","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/17\/funny-friday-276\/","title":{"rendered":"Funny Friday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"747\" height=\"826\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-17-26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6967\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-17-26.jpg 747w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-17-26-271x300.jpg 271w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 747px) 100vw, 747px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6966"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6966\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6976,"date":"2026-04-16T07:22:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T07:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6976"},"modified":"2026-04-14T19:24:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T19:24:58","slug":"what-can-you-let-go-of-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/16\/what-can-you-let-go-of-today\/","title":{"rendered":"What can you let go of today?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"565\" height=\"760\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-16-26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6977\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-16-26.jpg 565w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-16-26-223x300.jpg 223w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 565px) 100vw, 565px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6976","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6976","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6976"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6976\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6976"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6976"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6976"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6931,"date":"2026-04-15T06:46:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T06:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6931"},"modified":"2026-03-19T18:48:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T18:48:53","slug":"resilience-isnt-the-same-as-bouncing-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/15\/resilience-isnt-the-same-as-bouncing-back\/","title":{"rendered":"Resilience Isn\u2019t the Same as \u201cBouncing Back\u201d\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In common cultural understanding,\u00a0<em>resilience\u00a0<\/em>usually refers to our ability to \u201cbounce back\u201d after a challenge or hardship. Our bodies can be resilient; so can our minds, our relationships, and our aspirations.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We often think of grand accomplishments: the injured athlete who goes on to win gold; the unlucky-in-love co-worker who finally finds his soul mate; the artist who never gives up on her dreams and finally lands the leading role.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the framework of mindfulness, resilience is about much more than just pushing through struggle in order to win. It\u2019s less focused on overcoming and more interested in knowing how to integrate life as it\u2019s happening. There\u2019s steadiness, and there\u2019s also wisdom.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this excerpt from her book&nbsp;<em>Deep Resilience<\/em>, teacher Melli O\u2019Brien explores what it means to be resilient and how this mindful quality actually reveals our true selves.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"686\" height=\"466\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/03\/apr-15-26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6932\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/03\/apr-15-26.jpg 686w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/03\/apr-15-26-300x204.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 686px) 100vw, 686px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>In everyday language, we talk mainly about \u201cthe body,\u201d by which we mean our physical body, and \u201cthe mind.\u201d This is sometimes referred to by some teachers and traditions as \u201cthe thinking mind,\u201d \u201cthe human mind\u201d, or \u201cthe ego.\u201d To use the analogy of the ocean, the thinking mind, when compared to the depths of awareness, is like the small waves on the surface of who you are.<br><br>Your deeper nature is able to observe both your physical body and your mind, all thoughts and emotions; therefore, it is more fundamentally and essentially you. It is the deepest, the most core aspect of who you are.<br><br>The deep self is awareness, the part of you that is aware of everything else: aware of every feeling, every thought and every perception that you ever experience in your life. All thoughts, feelings and perceptions arise, unfold and dissolve in awareness like waves coming and going on the surface of the ocean.<br><br>Some people on a personal development or spiritual path make their mind into an enemy to overcome, subdue or get control of. They may even want to \u201cdestroy the ego\u201d or get rid of certain parts of themselves. In my experience, this attitude sets up an inner battle with ourselves that aggravates the mind, brings tension and stress into our system and blocks our ability to wake up to our deeper nature and higher potential as human beings.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read the entire article on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mindful.us17.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=62a1db74d9bc2cb70470718ab&amp;id=d7f1f71bc9&amp;e=2c44ac7852\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mindful.org<\/a>:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In common cultural understanding,\u00a0resilience\u00a0usually refers to our ability to \u201cbounce back\u201d after a challenge or hardship. Our bodies can be resilient; so can our minds, our relationships, and our aspirations.\u00a0 We often think of grand accomplishments: the injured athlete who goes on to win gold; the unlucky-in-love co-worker who finally finds his soul mate; the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6931","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6931","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6931"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6931\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6931"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6931"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6931"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6974,"date":"2026-04-14T06:43:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T06:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6974"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:46:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:46:17","slug":"tips-for-taming-spring-allergies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/14\/tips-for-taming-spring-allergies\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for taming spring allergies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Spring is a season many look forward to. The days grow longer, the weather warms up and everything starts to bloom. Millions of Americans suffer from seasonal allergy symptoms. They may begin as early as February. Mild winters can cause plants to pollinate early. And wet weather can lead to plants growing quickly.<sup>1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"977\" height=\"517\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-23-26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6975\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-23-26.jpg 977w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-23-26-300x159.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/04\/apr-23-26-768x406.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 977px) 100vw, 977px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Symptoms include sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, red, watery or itchy eyes, and more. If you\u2019re one of these people, you may skip going outside unless you have to. Try these tips to help prevent or reduce the severity of your symptoms. It may get you back smelling the flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Give these tactics a try. Who knows? Perhaps you could start to enjoy the great outdoors without allergy symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Figure out what you\u2019re allergic to<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A doctor can help you figure out what triggers your allergies. It could be pollen from grasses, trees and weeds, or molds. With that, you can learn the best way to reduce, treat or prevent symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Proactively manage symptoms<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you take over-the-counter allergy medications, such as a non-sedating antihistamine or anti-inflammatory steroid nose spray, try pre-medicating about two hours before going outside.<sup>2<\/sup> Talk to a physician about the best fit for your needs or if a prescription medication is right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Manage exposure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Check local pollen counts or forecasts daily. Plan outdoor activities, like exercise, on days when pollen counts are expected to be lowest.<sup>3<\/sup> Protect yourself with sunglasses and a hat while out and about. Remove shoes before going inside and change your clothes once indoors. Be sure to machine wash and dry your clothes. To air dry, use an indoor rack and not an outdoor line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Be aware on windy days<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Windy days can mean more pollen is circulating in the air. Those days, keep windows closed and use air conditioning. Use asthma- and allergy-friendly filters to reduce indoor airborne allergens. Try to stick to indoor activities on windier days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Shower after outdoor activity or at night before bed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Taking a shower and washing your hair helps remove allergens. It helps keep them off your sheets. Change your bedding and towels at least once a week. Be sure to wash them in hot, soapy water.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spring is a season many look forward to. The days grow longer, the weather warms up and everything starts to bloom. Millions of Americans suffer from seasonal allergy symptoms. They may begin as early as February. Mild winters can cause plants to pollinate early. And wet weather can lead to plants growing quickly.1 Symptoms include [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6974"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6974\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":6908,"date":"2026-04-13T04:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T04:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=6908"},"modified":"2026-03-10T16:13:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T16:13:13","slug":"a-calmer-start-to-the-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/04\/13\/a-calmer-start-to-the-week\/","title":{"rendered":"A Calmer Start to the Week \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Mondays can feel a little off when you\u2019ve lost an hour of sleep. The morning might feel more rushed than usual, like the day started before you were quite ready. On weeks like this, it can help to lean on routines that are already part of your day to reduce stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of trying to overhaul your schedule, add a relaxation practice to something you already do automatically. Try deep breathing while your coffee brews, meditating while your shower warms up, or doing a little yoga while watching TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a simple habit-stacking trick that can help create a more relaxed Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"436\" height=\"437\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/03\/apr-13-26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6909\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/03\/apr-13-26.jpg 436w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/03\/apr-13-26-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/03\/apr-13-26-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 436px) 100vw, 436px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We know what you\u2019re thinking \u2014 what is habit stacking?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea behind habit stacking is simple: add a new behavior to your daily schedule by \u201cstacking it\u201d on top of an existing habit. The concept of habit stacking was pioneered by James Clear, author of the&nbsp;<em>New York Times<\/em>&nbsp;bestseller,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/jamesclear.com\/atomic-habits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Atomic Habits<\/a>, and it is designed to help individuals incorporate more healthy behaviors into their lives without disrupting their normal routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pairing the concept of habit stacking with DeStress Monday will make you proactive in adding more calming and meditative behaviors to your daily schedule. For example, many of us make coffee in the morning, and, whether you\u2019re using a drip pot or French press, the brewing process takes between 5 \u2013 10 minutes. With habit stacking, the time you wait for your coffee can also be the time you spend practicing a mindful meditation or deep breathing exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By stacking enough of these habits, you\u2019ll effectively (and seamlessly) incorporate a surprising amount of stress-relieving activities into your life. Try habit-stacking this Monday, and add some more moments of calm and contemplation to your daily routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coffee brewing: Take a moment for deep breathing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coffee takes a few minutes to prepare and brew. While you wait, sit in the kitchen and do some&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.com\/destress-monday\/square-breathing\">deep breathing exercises<\/a>. By counting your breaths, you\u2019ll feel re-energized and relaxed even before taking that first sip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Heating up the shower: Practice a mindful meditation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Showering is a common part of the morning routine, but everyone knows it takes a few minutes to get the water nice and hot. Take that time to engage in a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.com\/destress-monday\/mindful-monday\">mindful meditation<\/a>&nbsp;by closing your eyes and focusing on the sound of the shower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Waking up or going to sleep: Do bed yoga<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We all want a few extra minutes in bed, so why not put that time to good use with some&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.com\/destress-monday\/head-stress-off-pass-monday-bed-yoga\">bed yoga<\/a>? Doing yoga on a mattress is soft, accommodating, and works especially well for those who have an injury or a physical limitation.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.com\/destress-monday\/head-stress-off-pass-monday-bed-yoga\">Start off with these simple poses<\/a>&nbsp;and add more advanced movements as you get more comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Watching your favorite show: Try a sun salutation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t have to feel like a couch potato when you\u2019re watching television. Let your body and mind unwind by pairing your TV watching with a calming&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.com\/destress-monday\/sun-salutation\">sun-salutation sequence<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read the article <a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.com\/stress-management\/habit-stack-your-way-to-a-more-relaxed-monday?utm_source=Healthy+Monday&amp;utm_campaign=e43792612c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_02_24_05_38&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-e43792612c-483726799\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mondays can feel a little off when you\u2019ve lost an hour of sleep. The morning might feel more rushed than usual, like the day started before you were quite ready. On weeks like this, it can help to lean on routines that are already part of your day to reduce stress. Instead of trying to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6908"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6908\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}]