Physical Well-Being

You will find information here about defining and evaluating ergonomic risks, creating ergonomically appropriate workstations, and preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. You also will find tips on taking stretch breaks and how to maintain proper posture at your desk, as well as information about the effects of highly repetitive movements, excessive force or strain and vibration for those working in offices or laboratories around the University.

Struggling with office ergonomics?  For those experiencing pain or significant, ongoing discomfort from their computer workstation, whether on Grounds or at home, UVA Environmental Health & Safety provides a 20-minute online office ergonomics self-assessment and training tool called ROSA by MyAbilities. EHS Occupational Health personnel provide further assistance as needed based upon the ROSA result. Click the link below to get started today!

A comprehensive occupational health- and team member-focused wellness clinic within the UVA Medical Center, which provides medical treatment of work-related injuries as well as occupational health and wellness services tailored to employer needs (including medical physicals, immunizations, drug screens, fitness for duty evaluations, and executive wellness programs. UVA-WorkMed team members include Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Exercise Physiologists, Registered Dietitians, and Wellness Specialists.

UVA’s Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) works to ensure that students, faculty, staff, and alumni do not have to choose between substance use disorder recovery and a world-class academic, employee, and alumni experience. This growing support network respects and fosters recovery through encouragement, empathy, and celebration of success.

UVA CRP hosts monthly social events, a support group called Hoos in Recovery (HiR) that meets weekly during the regular school year, Recovery Ally trainings, and much more.

Influenza vaccination is a critical step in protecting yourself, your coworkers, family, and your community from infection with influenza virus. Pursuant to promoting healthy lifestyle choices and a healthy workplace for all UVA employees, Hoos Well encourages annual flu vaccinations for all who are able. Each fall, Hoos Well hosts flu vaccination events across Grounds.

The UVA Exercise Physiology Core Lab offers body composition, metabolism, and fitness testing to UVA employees at a discounted rate. They work with everyone from elite athletes to people just starting an exercise program. 

Put numbers to your goals by finding out how many calories your body needs, what your current body fat level is, and/or what your heart rate should be during exercise. Each test they offer includes a consultation with their staff.

To schedule a Bod Pod, Resting Metabolism test, or Exercise Test, contact Lisa Farr: 434.982.3565 or lisafarr@virginia.edu

Charlottesville area residents with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes can currently join BEATDiabetes for FREE. BEATDiabetes delivers diabetes prevention or management tips directly to your mobile phone by text and offers financial rewards to help motivate you to take action. Texts focus on small, attainable changes that can add up to big improvements in your blood sugars and overall health. If you are successful in improving your blood sugars, you can earn entries in the $1000 BEATDiabetes Drawing held 3 times a year.  The 12-month program is currently free for people with Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes in Charlottesville and the surrounding area. Sign-up is fast and easy, and you can discontinue the program at any time. To learn more or to sign up, go to www.beatT2diabetes.com or call 434-234-7676.

Participation is limited, so sign up soon to secure your spot.

Did you know that simple ergonomic adjustments can result in increased productivity and reductions in musculoskeletal pain? Also, did you know that a smattering of brief bouts of physical activity throughout the workday packs benefits comparable to more traditional, longer exercise sessions in improving cardiovascular and metabolic health while reducing anxiety? Join Hoos Well in this reward-eligible webinar and learn how to incorporate simple solutions within your workday to perform and feel better.

Learning Objectives:

1. Examine the deleterious effects of prolonged sitting and how to incorporate physical activity safely and conveniently within your workday.
2. Find out how executing simple adjustments of furniture and office equipment at your workstation can minimize discomfort and musculoskeletal dysfunction.
3. Learn how to leverage resources through the Hoos Well portal by Virgin Pulse and offerings through IM-Rec, UVA Ergonomics, and UVA WorkMed.

Presented by Joseph Giandonato, MBA, MS, CSCS, Employee Well-Being Coordinator, Hoos Well

Do you want to learn how to set sleep goals, track your sleep daily, take steps to better sleep, or make sound sleep a habit? Register for a live interactive demonstration of the Virgin Pulse Sleep Guide featured in the Hoos Well Portal. Beyond tracking the quality and duration of sleep, the Sleep Guide will help you develop good habits like eliminating the food and beverages or activities that can disrupt sleep. Additionally, you’ll adopt strategies to help you unwind after a long day and prepare for bedtime so you can achieve greater health and well-being, are better equipped to tackle daily challenges, and derive more enjoyment from your waking hours.

Learning Objectives

1. Learn the multiple health related benefits associated with sleep
2. Examine the stages of sleep and their physiological processes
3. Review the recommended sleep duration guidelines throughout the lifespan
4. Discover how technology, stress, and illness can negatively impact sleep
5. Learn how to leverage the Virgin Pulse Sleep Guide within the Hoos Well portal to help you set and work towards achieving sleep goals.

Presented by Joseph Giandonato, MBA, MS, CSCS, Employee Well-Being Coordinator, Hoos Well

This webinar highlighted the reward-eligible monthly Triple Tracker challenge, availed by Hoos Well, UVA’s award-winning employee well-being program.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn the science behind goal setting.
2. Examine and apply multiple constructs, including the Health Belief Model to goal setting.
3. Discover how to inculcate and celebrate the adoption of healthy behaviors requisite to achieving improved health.
4. Step back and appreciate the process of working towards goals.
5. Learn how to leverage Hoos Well resources, including the Triple Tracker within the Hoos Well portal to help you in achieving your goals.
6. Eliminate the guesswork and trepidations associated with physical activity.
7. Identify barriers and challenges related to incorporating and maintaining physical activity.
8. Learn about and employ proven measures to set, accomplish, and examine goals, and how to instill accountability and harness the power of visualization.

This webinar was a live demonstration of the Virgin Pulse Nutrition guide housed within the Hoos Well Portal.

Learning objectives:

1. Optimize your nutrition with recipes, meal planning, and grocery shopping lists generated by your unique dietary habits and preferences.
2. Learn about cooking and eating healthier and how to participate in nutrition related Journeys and Healthy Habits and earn rewards!
3. Learn about healthy meal options on grounds through Hoos Choice and gain information about the UVA Nutrition Counseling Center, which provides one complimentary nutrition counseling session per year to subscribers on the UVA Health Plan.