[{"id":7188,"date":"2026-08-07T04:02:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T04:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7188"},"modified":"2026-07-21T16:03:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T16:03:23","slug":"funny-friday-292","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/08\/07\/funny-friday-292\/","title":{"rendered":"Funny Friday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/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-7188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7188","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=7188"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7188\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7190,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7188\/revisions\/7190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7232,"date":"2026-08-06T05:39:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T05:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7232"},"modified":"2026-07-30T22:44:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T22:44:18","slug":"science-museum-of-virginia-discount-for-state-employees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/08\/06\/science-museum-of-virginia-discount-for-state-employees\/","title":{"rendered":"Science Museum of Virginia discount for state employees"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) is pleased to announce that the Science Museum of Virginia has partnered with the Commonwealth to offer state employees the biggest discount offered to any group all year.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To recognize and thank you for your service to the Commonwealth, the Science Museum of Virginia is offering 30% off of Supernova (most popular) and Galaxy memberships for state employees. <\/strong>Learn more about what’s included in those memberships by clicking the link below. The discount is good for new memberships or renewals but must be done in person by showing your state employee ID at Guest Services August 1-31<\/strong>. Don\u2019t miss your chance to enjoy family fun time all year around. Check out their website here<\/a> or click on the link below for additional details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State Employee Appreciation Offer <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Science Museum of Virginia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase Membership <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) is pleased to announce that the Science Museum of Virginia has partnered with the Commonwealth to offer state employees the biggest discount offered to any group all year. To recognize and thank you for your service to the Commonwealth, the Science Museum of Virginia is offering 30% off of Supernova […]<\/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-7232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7232","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=7232"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7232\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7234,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7232\/revisions\/7234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7227,"date":"2026-08-05T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T06:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7227"},"modified":"2026-07-21T18:31:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T18:31:46","slug":"make-hot-summer-nights-more-restful","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/08\/05\/make-hot-summer-nights-more-restful\/","title":{"rendered":"Make Hot Summer Nights More Restful"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Few habits have as much impact on your health as a good night’s sleep. It plays an important role in your mood, memory, immune function, and heart health. During stretches of hot weather, though, falling asleep\u2014and staying asleep\u2014can be more of a challenge, leaving you tossing and turning or searching for the cool side of the pillow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cooler sleep environment and a few simple nighttime habits can help create the conditions for a more comfortable, restful night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week,\u00a0keep your cool at bedtime.<\/a>\u00a0Lower the thermostat or turn on a fan, choose lightweight bedding, and avoid late-night meals or strenuous exercise close to bedtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It turns out that struggle is biological. To fall asleep, your body needs to lower its core temperature by one or two degrees\u2013a biological signal it\u2019s time to rest. When your room is too warm, your body can\u2019t finish that job, making it harder for you to sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just about feeling uncomfortable. Heat appears to be particularly disruptive to REM sleep<\/a>, the stage responsible for emotional processing, memory, and restoration. During REM, your body\u2019s ability to regulate its own temperature is largely switched off, leaving you at the mercy of the room around you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that your body\u2019s cooling system is something you can work with, not just wait on. And one strategy that may help might surprise you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A warm bath or shower taken one or two hours before bed may help  you sleep better. Not despite the heat, but because of it. While it seems counterintuitive, the warm water encourages your body to move heat toward the skin. When you step out, that heat is released, helping support the natural drop in body temperature that occurs before falling asleep. Research<\/a> suggests that people who bathe in warm water before bed fall asleep faster and report better sleep quality overall. That said, this works best when your bedroom environment is already reasonably cool. If your room is very warm, start with the environment tips below first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The warm bath is just one example of how small, intentional changes to your evening routine can work with your body\u2019s natural cooling process. Here are a few more to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cool Down Your Environment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blackout curtains do more than block morning light. They also keep heat from building up during the day, giving your bedroom a head start on cooling before bedtime. If you have air conditioning, aim for around 65-68 degrees<\/a>. If you don\u2019t, a fan positioned to pull warm air out of the room rather than just circulate it can make a real difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose Breathable Fabrics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your sheets and pajamas matter more than most people realize. Lightweight, breathable materials like cotton allow your body to release heat through your skin the way it needs to. If you sleep on a memory foam mattress, it\u2019s worth exploring a cooling mattress pad or breathable sheets designed for warm sleepers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider Your Evening Routine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exercise raises your core temperature, which is great during the day and less helpful right before bed. Try to finish any vigorous activity at least a few hours before bed time. The same goes for meals\u2013eating too close to bedtime raises your metabolism and your temperature along with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth noting that not all heat-related sleep struggles have the same root cause. Hormones, metabolism, anxiety, and certain medical conditions can all make you run warmer at night. If your sleep is consistently disrupted by heat and lifestyle changes don\u2019t seem to help, it\u2019s worth a conversation with your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t control the summer heat. But you can give your body what it needs to cool down. This week, pick one way to help your body cool down before bed. Try lowering your AC or turn the fan on. Draw the blackout curtains before you leave for work. Take a relaxing warm bath before bed. Your best summer sleep might be closer than you think.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Few habits have as much impact on your health as a good night’s sleep. It plays an important role in your mood, memory, immune function, and heart health. During stretches of hot weather, though, falling asleep\u2014and staying asleep\u2014can be more of a challenge, leaving you tossing and turning or searching for the cool side of […]<\/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-7227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7227","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=7227"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7227\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7229,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7227\/revisions\/7229"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7227"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7227"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7224,"date":"2026-08-04T06:28:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T06:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7224"},"modified":"2026-07-21T18:29:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T18:29:47","slug":"health-tips-the-movement-hiding-in-plain-sight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/08\/04\/health-tips-the-movement-hiding-in-plain-sight\/","title":{"rendered":"Health tips: The movement hiding in plain sight"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Modern life has made everyday tasks easier than ever. We can answer the phone without getting up, order dinner with a few taps and take an elevator instead of the stairs. While convenience saves time, it has also quietly removed many of the small movements our bodies were designed to do throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those missed opportunities add up. The good news is that you don’t have to spend hours in the gym to benefit from moving more. Some of the healthiest movement happens during everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n