[{"id":7423,"date":"2026-10-29T06:49:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T06:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7423"},"modified":"2026-10-28T21:53:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T21:53:32","slug":"novembers-well-being-programs-for-vcu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/10\/29\/novembers-well-being-programs-for-vcu\/","title":{"rendered":"November&#8217;s Well-being Programs for VCU"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>November 2026 &#8211; Employee Well-Being Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>These VCU programs are free to attend and most are virtual unless specified below! Register in Talent to receive links.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">_______________________________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a><a>Thursday, November 5<sup>th<\/sup> \u2013 12 pm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Core and More!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(Presented by VCU HR and VCU Recreation &amp; Well-Being)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This 30-minute virtual class will not only give you an excellent abdominal and low back workout but will also challenge your other major muscle groups as well. All levels are welcome! A yoga mat is suggested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Register:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/vcu.csod.com\/ui\/lms-learning-details\/app\/event\/e9aa4624-85d7-439c-8048-43b590a61451?session=62f310ca-c531-40c4-ab87-01a3ab929c85\"><strong>Talent@VCU<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Monday, November 9<sup>th<\/sup> \u2013 10 am<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Preparing for the Reality of Health Care in Retirement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(Presented by VCU HR and Fidelity)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Health care costs in retirement are a big concern for many. Understand the costs and available options before and after age 65, so you can be better prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Register:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/vcu.csod.com\/ui\/lms-learning-details\/app\/event\/3fb52a65-c583-4c38-a36b-39c25a60afdf?session=ba566621-2b68-4c3f-aed9-81e6f826e344\"><strong>Talent@VCU<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tuesday, November 10<sup>th<\/sup> \u2013 2 pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Medicare Overview and State Retiree Health Coverage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(Presented by VCU HR and Social Security)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Join us for this workshop by Social Security and learn answers to questions about Medicare A and B. Eligibility requirements, enrollment periods, application process and online services will be addressed. VCU Benefits will also present on the State Retiree Health Coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Register:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/vcu.csod.com\/ui\/lms-learning-details\/app\/event\/2d58442e-6755-4416-8d62-1e8663b4b7c9?session=d4e8fc4c-4c7a-4095-b839-f5e75c5ade58\"><strong>Talent@VCU<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wednesday, November 11<sup>th<\/sup> \u2013 12 pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hidden in Plain Sight: Neurodivergence and Hidden Disabilities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(Presented by VCU HR and Employee Health)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not all differences and disabilities are visible, but they can have a big impact on daily life. Join us as we explore experiences that often go unseen and learn how we can better support one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Register:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/vcu.csod.com\/ui\/lms-learning-details\/app\/event\/df7261f4-ba88-4003-9d10-26a165271a06?session=aca241ed-e6c1-4932-b0c0-f562a7684ace\"><strong>Talent@VCU<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thursday, November 12<sup>th<\/sup> \u2013 12 pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a><strong>Surviving in Today\u2019s Economy<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(Presented by VCU HR and Virginia Credit Union (VACU))<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In times of economic uncertainty, let\u2019s focus on what you can control. This webinar shares tips on increasing your value in the workplace, cutting expenses, boosting savings, and reducing debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Register:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/vcu.csod.com\/ui\/lms-learning-details\/app\/event\/1d5e15a6-953d-4c43-8a52-a9444f86e617?session=d779d605-7022-4ca8-91b2-3e6adc98869c\"><strong>Talent@VCU<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tuesday, November 17<sup>th<\/sup> \u2013 12 pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Guided Meditation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(Presented by VCU HR and VCU Recreation &amp; Well-Being)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take a break to be guided through creating a peaceful, sensory-rich mental image to build concentration and lower stress. This meditation is suitable for all levels of practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Register:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/vcu.csod.com\/ui\/lms-learning-details\/app\/event\/ebf576a3-e9e3-4a6c-b00a-ab204b45e354?session=e95f686b-314b-4b00-b2e5-aa58371bbd0b\"><strong>Talent@VCU<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wednesday, November 18<sup>th<\/sup> \u2013 12 pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>One Life: Empowering Your Journey to True Balance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(Presented by VCU HR and Anthem EAP)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alignment is the key to harmonizing your priorities, values, and goals across all areas of life, from work to personal time and relationships. By embracing synergy instead of rigid boundaries, you can cultivate well-being, enhance productivity, and live a more balanced, fulfilling life. This session will guide individuals on how to live a more balanced, purposeful, and empowered life by aligning their actions and priorities with their core values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Register:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/vcu.csod.com\/ui\/lms-learning-details\/app\/event\/f26c4c32-d963-4b50-9286-14d30a209f93?session=9040d6f3-5919-4570-817e-72c3e715027b\"><strong>Talent@VCU<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thursday, November 19<sup>th<\/sup> \u2013 12 pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a><strong>Nailing the Basics<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(Presented by VCU HR and CommonHealth)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If healthy living sounds exhausting to you, you are not alone. The truth is, you don\u2019t need a restrictive diet, hours in the gym, or a stress-free life to live healthier. It\u2019s not all of nothing. In this session you will learn to strive for progress over perfection. Let\u2019s feel better without making life harder!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Register:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/vcu.csod.com\/ui\/lms-learning-details\/app\/event\/5b4b893e-a773-4bda-891c-035b2a6a6cc8?session=bb18675e-2243-4815-b9fb-58b9320dad60\"><strong>Talent@VCU<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On Demand Webinars:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vcu.csod.com\/catalog\/CustomPage.aspx?id=221000415\"><strong>Work Life Playlists<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 New! <strong>Overcoming Work Fatigue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Virginia Credit Union \u2013<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vacu.org\/learn\/investing\/watch-investing-basics\"><strong>Investing Basics<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ramstrong.vcu.edu\/on-demand-sessions\/\"><strong>RamStrong On Demand<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For VCU Health team members:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a>VCU is pleased to share opportunities to attend university well-being programs with the broader VCU community, including colleagues at VCU Health, VCU Dentistry, and other affiliated entities. <strong><em>Please note that certain sessions\u2014such as those offered by financial vendors who serve only university employees\u2014will not be included.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can now find <strong>direct links to these programs on the VCU Health intranet<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/intranet.vcuhealth.org\/sites\/employee-health-services\/SitePageModern\/79390\/employee-health-services\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong> The links are located to the right of the RamStrong logo at the bottom of the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a>Keep in mind that some features or services highlighted in the university programs may be limited to university employees or may apply differently to employees of VCU Health or other entities. If you are not a university employee and have questions about how a program or service applies to you, please reach out to your entity\u2019s HR department for guidance. VCU Health employees who are interested in these options are encouraged to reach out to their HR department to inquire about the availability of similar programs or resources.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"838\" height=\"831\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-28-175237.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7424\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-28-175237.png 838w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-28-175237-300x297.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-28-175237-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-28-175237-768x762.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 838px) 100vw, 838px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>November 2026 &#8211; Employee Well-Being Programs These VCU programs are free to attend and most are virtual unless specified below! Register in Talent to receive links. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Thursday, November 5th \u2013 12 pm Core and More! (Presented by VCU HR and VCU Recreation &amp; Well-Being) This 30-minute virtual class will not only give you an [&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-7423","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7423","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=7423"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7423\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7425,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7423\/revisions\/7425"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7423"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7423"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7423"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7402,"date":"2026-10-28T06:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T06:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7402"},"modified":"2026-10-20T18:20:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T18:20:48","slug":"vcu-state-employees-join-the-turkey-trot-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/10\/28\/vcu-state-employees-join-the-turkey-trot-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"VCU State employees &#8211; Join the Turkey Trot Challenge!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_Nb1-VmStMpj72B3ivWMrLfc8sZjZ7lxHvJCXuaOjLmvaHuPjzIbD3OStNlmY77qa1r4nqjwYsvDDdazS6rOwmGHIBKTuGi7-liZykc9fXjJSbOkYPVTalwYSTt-GW8hzg0I7zqbpljaH9ZFTJpIBBTOXwDBOdZK5xiYKjs=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/content.govdelivery.com\/attachments\/fancy_images\/VADHRM\/2026\/10\/14537656\/ch101426_original.png\" alt=\"images \" width=\"407\" height=\"231\"><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Join the Turkey Trot Challenge!<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dear State Employees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Get ready to embrace the crisp autumn season with our annual CommonHealth Fall Movement Challenge\u2014The Turkey Trot! From <strong>November 1 through November 30<\/strong>, all employees are invited to join a month long celebration of wellness and community through movement. Whether you prefer walking, stretching, dancing, cycling, hiking or any form of movement that brings you joy, this challenge is a fun way to stay energized as the days grow shorter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout November, participants will track their daily movement and enjoy weekly motivation and wellness tips designed to keep you inspired. Every minute of intentional movement counts\u2014because this challenge is about progress, not perfection. It\u2019s a great opportunity to build healthy habits, connect with colleagues, and take time for yourself during a busy season. The goal is simple: a<strong>dd 20 minutes more of intentional movement<\/strong> on 25 out of 30 days in November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the end of the month, we\u2019ll celebrate the achievements of all who participated. We encourage all Commonwealth employees across the state to join in, regardless of fitness level or schedule. Agencies will be recognized for participating, so spread the word and get colleagues on board too. Let\u2019s make this fall a season of strength, balance, and renewed energy\u2014one movement at a time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%2F%2Fsurvey.dhrm.virginia.gov%2Fn%2F2026TurkeyTrotReg.aspx\/1\/010001a15947389d-59edaf9c-adef-46e4-bad7-bd5d1cd35016-000000\/yEbAUIThh0y8wpqXw6ksCSGBP4xxVIIM2jyNz82BkOM=452\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Register Now<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The challenge starts on <strong>November 1<\/strong>, and due to the nature of the goal, late registration will close on <strong>November 5<\/strong>. If you have any questions or need further information, reach out to <a href=\"mailto:commonhealth.challenges@dhrm.virginia.gov\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">commonhealth.challenges@dhrm.<wbr>virginia.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Join the Turkey Trot Challenge! Dear State Employees: Get ready to embrace the crisp autumn season with our annual CommonHealth Fall Movement Challenge\u2014The Turkey Trot! From November 1 through November 30, all employees are invited to join a month long celebration of wellness and community through movement. Whether you prefer walking, stretching, dancing, cycling, hiking [&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-7402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7402","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=7402"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7402\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7403,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7402\/revisions\/7403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7397,"date":"2026-10-27T06:11:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T06:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7397"},"modified":"2026-10-07T18:21:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T18:21:25","slug":"get-enough-protein-while-eating-less-meat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/10\/27\/get-enough-protein-while-eating-less-meat\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Enough Protein While Eating Less Meat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Protein is getting a lot of attention lately. Grocery store shelves are filled with protein-added snacks and drinks, and social media is full of advice about getting more of it. With all that attention, it can be hard to know how much you actually need.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Protein is an essential nutrient, and if you\u2019ve already tried the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.com\/nutrition\/the-make-a-plate-method-for-healthy-eating\">Make a Plate\u201d<\/a> method, you know it\u2019s one of the four key building blocks of a balanced meal. Many people already get enough to meet their basic needs, though those needs can change with age, activity, and health. If you\u2019re reducing meat consumption, <a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.com\/nutrition\/a-beginners-guide-to-plant-based-protein\">plant-based foods<\/a> can help you get the protein your body needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"740\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-141654.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-141654.png 740w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-141654-300x270.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Protein Actually Does<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Protein does a lot of heavy lifting inside your body, and most of it happens quietly in the background.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you eat protein, your body releases hormones like GLP-1 that signal fullness and satisfaction. At the same time, it dials down the hunger hormone, ghrelin. This is the hormone that makes your stomach growl and sends you to your kitchen for a midnight snack. This is one reason why including protein in each meal can help you feel fuller for longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Protein also takes more energy to digest and process than carbohydrates or fat. That means your body is actually burning calories by processing it. And over time, getting enough protein helps maintain muscle mass, which keeps your metabolism running efficiently and your energy levels steady throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In other words, protein isn\u2019t just about building muscle at the gym. It\u2019s about maintaining strength, preserving muscle as you age, and feeling satisfied after a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Much Protein Do You Need?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The recommendation may be higher than you think. The longstanding recommended dietary allowance is often listed as about 46 grams of protein per day for women and 56 grams for men, though individual needs depend on body weight. But many nutrition experts believe those numbers are too low for some people, especially as we get older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.realfood.gov\/DGA.pdf\">2025\u20132030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans<\/a> now recommend roughly 0.54\u20130.73 grams per pound of body weight each day. For someone who weighs 150 pounds, that\u2019s about 80\u2013110 grams\u2014roughly one and a half to two times the longstanding RDA. Still, <a href=\"https:\/\/nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu\/2026\/01\/09\/dietary-guidelines-for-americans-2025-2030\/\">Harvard nutrition experts<\/a> emphasize that protein needs vary, and a health care provider or registered dietitian can help you determine the amount that\u2019s right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s why protein deserves extra attention as we age. Starting around age 30, we naturally begin to lose muscle mass, slowly at first, then more noticeably over time. Getting enough protein, along with regular strength training, can help slow that process and maintain strength and independence as you age. For adults over 50,<a href=\"https:\/\/lifestylemedicine.stanford.edu\/protein-needs-for-adults-50\/\"> Stanford Lifestyle Medicine<\/a> recommends that same higher range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather than doing the math and tracking your macros, a practical starting point is to aim for about 25 to 30 grams of protein at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Snacks can contribute to your daily total, too. Spreading it evenly throughout the day also matters\u2014your body uses protein best when it\u2019s not all coming in at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Plant-Based Proteins to Try<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You don\u2019t need meat to meet your protein needs. Plants are full of protein, and many of the best sources also come packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals to support your overall health. If you\u2019re new to plant-based eating, the <a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.com\/nutrition\/a-beginners-guide-to-plant-based-protein\">Healthy Monday Beginner\u2019s Guide to Plant-Based Protein<\/a> is a great place to start.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some accessible options to add to your plate include legumes (chickpeas, black beans); nuts and seeds (chia, hemp, almonds); meat alternatives (tofu, tempeh, seitan); whole grains (quinoa, oats); and green vegetables (spinach, kale, broccoli).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a visual guide to plant-based protein sources, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/healthy-eating\/eat-smart\/nutrition-basics\/plant-based-protein-infographic\">American Heart Association<\/a> has a great resource worth bookmarking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Adding More Protein to Your Day<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meeting your protein needs can start with small swaps and additions to meals you already enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Start with <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.com\/nutrition\/fuel-your-day-breakfast\"><strong>breakfast<\/strong><\/a><strong>. <\/strong>This is where many people fall short on protein. Prepare oatmeal with soy milk and add nuts or chia seeds, or try a tofu scramble. If you eat dairy or eggs, Greek yogurt and eggs are options, too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Build a better lunch. <\/strong>If you\u2019ve already tried <a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.com\/nutrition\/meal-prep-made-simple-plan-ahead-for-healthier-eating\">meal prepping our chickpea salad<\/a> or having a grain bowl, you\u2019re already protein-maxxing at lunch. The key is making sure your midday meal includes a solid protein source alongside your grains and vegetables.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Try a meat-free dinner. <\/strong>If you\u2019re going meatless for dinner, make sure to replace the meat with a plant-based protein like lentils in pasta sauce, black beans in tacos, or tofu in a vegetable stir-fry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Add protein to your <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/healthymonday.com\/nutrition\/snacks-that-keep-you-satisfied\"><strong>snacks<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong> A handful of nuts or a small serving of edamame are easy and satisfying ways to add protein between meals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pay attention to portions and timing, too. A sprinkle of seeds adds some protein, while a serving of beans or tofu can provide a more substantial amount. Checking the Nutrition Facts label can help you understand how much a usual serving contributes. And remember, your body uses protein best when it is spread evenly throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Getting enough protein can help you maintain strength, preserve muscle as you age, and feel satisfied after a meal. And with some attention to what\u2019s on your plate, you can meet your needs while eating less meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This week, try keeping track of your protein intake for one day. Use what you learn to decide whether an adjustment would support your health goals, such as adding protein at breakfast or including a larger serving of beans at lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Protein is getting a lot of attention lately. Grocery store shelves are filled with protein-added snacks and drinks, and social media is full of advice about getting more of it. With all that attention, it can be hard to know how much you actually need.&nbsp; Protein is an essential nutrient, and if you\u2019ve already tried [&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-7397","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7397","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=7397"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7397\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7399,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7397\/revisions\/7399"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7397"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7397"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7307,"date":"2026-10-26T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7307"},"modified":"2026-08-18T15:00:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T15:00:53","slug":"motivational-monday-180","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/10\/26\/motivational-monday-180\/","title":{"rendered":"Motivational Monday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"552\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.26.26-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7308\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.26.26-1.jpg 552w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.26.26-1-221x300.jpg 221w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 552px) 100vw, 552px\" \/><\/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-7307","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7307","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=7307"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7307\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7307"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7307"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7307"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7275,"date":"2026-10-23T05:41:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T05:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7275"},"modified":"2026-08-18T14:42:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T14:42:33","slug":"funny-friday-303","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/10\/23\/funny-friday-303\/","title":{"rendered":"Funny Friday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"840\" height=\"882\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.23.26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7276\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.23.26.jpg 840w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.23.26-286x300.jpg 286w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.23.26-768x806.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><\/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-7275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7275","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=7275"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7275\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7393,"date":"2026-10-22T06:56:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T06:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7393"},"modified":"2026-10-07T16:00:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T16:00:13","slug":"sleep-better-through-fall-and-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/10\/22\/sleep-better-through-fall-and-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Sleep better through fall and winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sleep is one of the best things you can do for your body. It helps your heart, brain, weight and mood. It also supports your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teladochealth.com\/library\/article\/conquer-stress-to-stay-healthy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">immune system<\/a> in fighting off germs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you don\u2019t get enough sleep, you may feel tired, cranky or foggy. Over time, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teladochealth.com\/library\/article\/10-powerful-reasons-why-sleep-is-important\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">poor sleep<\/a> can raise your risk for health problems like heart disease, weight gain, high blood pressure and diabetes. That\u2019s why good <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teladochealth.com\/library\/article\/the-benefits-of-quality-sleep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sleep matters<\/a>\u2014all year long. But getting adequate zzz\u2019s can be a struggle at times, especially during the fall and winter when the days are shorter and colder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"565\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-115715-1024x565.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7394\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-115715-1024x565.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-115715-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-115715-768x424.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-115715.png 1226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why it may be harder to sleep during fall and winter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the seasons change, so does your sleep. Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Shorter days.<\/strong> Less daylight can throw off your circadian rhythm, also known as your body\u2019s internal clock.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Time change.<\/strong> When clocks \u201cfall back\u201d in autumn, it can confuse your sleep schedule for days or weeks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Less sunlight.<\/strong> Sunlight helps your brain make serotonin, a chemical that supports good mood and healthy sleep. Less sun can mean less of this helpful chemical.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Colder temperatures.<\/strong> Chilly bedrooms can make it harder to fall asleep, or they can wake you up in the middle of the night.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7 tips for better sleep this season<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Get sunlight in the morning.<\/strong> Step outside or sit near a window early in the day. This helps reset your body clock and supports your mood.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep a steady bedtime.<\/strong> Going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day\u2014even on weekends\u2014trains your body to rest better.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Warm up your room the smart way.<\/strong> Keep your bedroom cool but not cold, around 65 degrees. Use warm blankets instead of cranking up the heat, which can dry out the air.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Watch your evening screen time.<\/strong> Phones and TVs give off blue light that can trick your brain into staying awake. Try turning off screens an hour before bed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Move your body during the day.<\/strong> Even a short walk can help you fall asleep faster at night and sleep more deeply.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mind what you eat and drink.<\/strong> Heavy meals, alcohol and caffeine late in the day can disturb sleep. Try light snacks like a piece of fruit or some crackers if you\u2019re hungry before bed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Watch out for chronic conditions.<\/strong> Colder months can worsen symptoms of arthritis, asthma or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teladochealth.com\/library\/article\/how-seasonal-changes-can-affect-your-mental-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">seasonal depression<\/a>, all of which can disrupt sleep. Talk to your doctor if pain or mood changes keep you up.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeaway<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cold, dark days can make good sleep harder to find\u2014but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teladochealth.com\/library\/article\/6-healthy-swaps-for-better-sleep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">small habits<\/a> like morning light, a steady schedule and mindful eating can help you rest better all season long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No matter the time of year, keep your bedroom dark and quiet. Save your bed for sleeping, not scrolling or working. Try to relax before bed with reading or gentle stretching. And if you\u2019re tossing and turning, get up and do something calm instead of lying there stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a>Why do I feel sleepier in the winter?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Less sunlight can lower serotonin and shift your body clock, making you feel more tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>Does the time change really affect sleep?<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Less sunlight can lower serotonin and shift your body clock, making you feel more tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>Can food affect my sleep?<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Heavy meals, alcohol and caffeine close to bedtime can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>Should I worry if I have a chronic illness?<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talk to your doctor. Conditions like arthritis or seasonal depression can get worse in winter and disrupt sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sleep is one of the best things you can do for your body. It helps your heart, brain, weight and mood. It also supports your immune system in fighting off germs.&nbsp; When you don\u2019t get enough sleep, you may feel tired, cranky or foggy. Over time, poor sleep can raise your risk for health problems [&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-7393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7393","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=7393"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7393\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7395,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7393\/revisions\/7395"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7390,"date":"2026-10-21T06:37:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T06:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7390"},"modified":"2026-10-07T15:42:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T15:42:53","slug":"did-you-know-about-vcu-gold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/10\/21\/did-you-know-about-vcu-gold\/","title":{"rendered":"Did you know about VCU Gold?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"plugin-notification__body\">      <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The VCU Gold program facilitates timely access to VCU Health specialty care for VCU and VCU Health team members, dependents and family members within 30 business days of calling the VCU Gold helpline at <\/span><strong>804-828-2778 (VCU-APPT). <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The helpline operates from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Call today for questions or to schedule an appointment. <\/span><\/p><br>        <\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Program Details<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Timeline:<\/strong> Specialty care appointments are scheduled within <strong>30 business days<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Helpline:<\/strong> Call <strong>804-828-2778 (VCU-APPT)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eligibility:<\/strong> Available to active VCU and VCU Health employees and their covered family members.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"196\" height=\"161\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-114046.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7391\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The VCU Gold program facilitates timely access to VCU Health specialty care for VCU and VCU Health team members, dependents and family members within 30 business days of calling the VCU Gold helpline at 804-828-2778 (VCU-APPT). The helpline operates from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call today for questions or 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-7390","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7390","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=7390"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7390\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7392,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7390\/revisions\/7392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7390"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7390"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7390"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7387,"date":"2026-10-20T06:32:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T06:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7387"},"modified":"2026-10-07T15:36:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T15:36:42","slug":"the-art-of-radical-acceptance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/10\/20\/the-art-of-radical-acceptance\/","title":{"rendered":"The art of radical acceptance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy does this always happen to me?\u201d \u201cUgh. I should have planned better!\u201d \u201cThis isn\u2019t fair!\u201d \u201cNothing ever goes my way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s easy to get caught up in negative feelings when something doesn\u2019t go our way. We get stuck in a loop of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teladochealth.com\/library\/article\/dont-talk-to-yourself-that-way-reframe-negative-self-talk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">self-blame<\/a>, feeling depressed or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teladochealth.com\/library\/article\/making-peace-with-anger\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">angry<\/a>, which can lead to health issues or harmful relationship patterns over time. It\u2019s time to break the loop! Instead of the blame game, try radical acceptance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is radical acceptance?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Radical acceptance is a skill we can develop to better manage emotions during distressing times. Essentially, you learn to accept a situation for exactly what it is, sit in your feelings of discomfort and redirect your energy to more productive feelings and actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It sounds simple but can take practice to master. You can practice it yourself over time, or you can work with a doctor or therapist to help you master the skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"532\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-113236-1024x532.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-113236-1024x532.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-113236-300x156.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-113236-768x399.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-07-113236.png 1193w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Radical acceptance does not mean you avoid or push emotions aside. It means acknowledging your emotions and feeling them wholly in your mind, body and soul, without judgement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Practicing radical acceptance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s say you planned a large outdoor event and as the day approaches, you see there\u2019s rain in the forecast. You are probably feeling frustrated, disappointed, or even hopeless and angry. To practice radical acceptance, you\u2019d follow these simple steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 1: Look at the facts.<\/strong> Remind yourself that the situation simply is what it is, and there is a logical reason for it. <em>It is going to rain on the day of my event. Weather is unpredictable. I knew this was a possibility.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 2: Avoid judgement.<\/strong> Try not to think in terms of good or bad, should or shouldn\u2019t. Imagine what it would sound and feel like to truly accept your reality for what it is. <em>It\u2019s going to rain. I will have to come up with a solution for my event. <\/em>Then start to search for solutions as if you\u2019ve already accepted your reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 3: Be open to your emotions.<\/strong> Acknowledge your natural feelings and allow yourself to feel them as they come up. <em>I\u2019m so upset that the weather isn\u2019t cooperating. I wanted it to be a beautiful event and now it\u2019s ruined. I\u2019m disappointed. <\/em>How does this make you feel emotionally and physically? <em>I feel tense, my jaw is clenched, I feel anxious.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 4: Practice acceptance.<\/strong> Process those feelings and then reframe your mindset to productive thoughts.<sup>1<\/sup> <em>I\u2019m disappointed\u2026but instead of sulking about it, I can call a nearby venue to see if they have space for our event. If that doesn\u2019t work, I can reschedule my event and it will be OK.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 5:<\/strong> <strong>Keep practicing!<\/strong> Like all useful skills, radical acceptance requires repetition to successfully use when negative feelings arise.<sup>2<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is important to note that radical acceptance can be harmful in certain situations. If you\u2019re experiencing abuse, harassment or feel stuck in a dangerous relationship or environment, seek help from appropriate mental health professionals or authorities. <strong>You do not need to accept abusive or dangerous situations for what they are.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over time, the radical acceptance technique can be a great tool in your mental health toolbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out the many mental health resources available to VCU employees on <a href=\"https:\/\/ramstrong.vcu.edu\/\">RamStrong.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cWhy does this always happen to me?\u201d \u201cUgh. I should have planned better!\u201d \u201cThis isn\u2019t fair!\u201d \u201cNothing ever goes my way.\u201d It\u2019s easy to get caught up in negative feelings when something doesn\u2019t go our way. We get stuck in a loop of self-blame, feeling depressed or angry, which can lead to health issues or [&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-7387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7387","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=7387"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7387\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7389,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7387\/revisions\/7389"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7387"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7387"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7387"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7300,"date":"2026-10-19T05:55:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T05:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7300"},"modified":"2026-08-18T14:57:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T14:57:34","slug":"motivational-monday-179","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/10\/19\/motivational-monday-179\/","title":{"rendered":"Motivational Monday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"643\" height=\"762\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.19.26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.19.26.jpg 643w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.19.26-253x300.jpg 253w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 643px) 100vw, 643px\" \/><\/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-7300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7300","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=7300"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7300\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7272,"date":"2026-10-16T05:40:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T05:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7272"},"modified":"2026-08-18T14:41:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T14:41:11","slug":"funny-friday-302","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/10\/16\/funny-friday-302\/","title":{"rendered":"Funny Friday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"775\" height=\"787\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.16.26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.16.26.jpg 775w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.16.26-295x300.jpg 295w, https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/413\/2026\/08\/10.16.26-768x780.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/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-7272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7272","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=7272"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7272\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}]