Many Options for Improving your Physical Health

Physical Wellness

Your good health matters to UVA. We encourage you to develop a passion for a healthy lifestyle through enjoyable physical activity and good nutrition. The benefits you will reap may include improved memory and sleep quality, increased energy, focus and productivity, weight loss, reduced stress, prevention of heart disease, better diabetes control and cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and blood sugar, and lower risk of certain cancers, amongst many other benefits.

To achieve these positive results, the Center for Disease Control recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 1 hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity, aerobic activity. Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes, and preferably, it should be spread throughout the week.

Food and nutrition also play a crucial role in your long-term health and chronic disease prevention, as does kicking harmful habits like tobacco use.

Hoos Well provides a wide array of programs and resources for supporting a holistic healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity and good nutrition through all stages of life. 

Physical Wellness Programs

In addition to creating its own programs, Hoos Well partners with UVA and the community to provide you all types of tools to improve your physical wellbeing. Many of these programs are free or offered at a reduced rate.

  • Exercise and Fitness Classes:

    Try a free week at the gym, host a fitness class at your department, or try a free drop-in class. Different classes are available and offered throughout the year. IM-REC Sports: Try a free week at the gym, host a fitness class in your office, or try a free drop-in class. Offered by IM-Rec Sports. Call 434.924.3791 or visit https://recsports.virginia.edu. Click on the link to learn more about Hoos Well Classes and Programs.

    Hoos Well Classes and Programs

  • UVA Walking Paths

    Check out these walking paths near Main Grounds, Ivy Road, Old Ivy Road, Fontaine, Lewis and Clark, and UVA Wise. You can use the interactive map on your smart phone or print out a PDF.

    Enjoy the walking paths

  • Hoos Choice Nutrition Program

    Hoos Choice is a point-of-choice nutrition program that facilitates and encourages healthy food choices across the University of Virginia.

    Learn More

  • WW - 'Wellness that Works' (formerly Weight Watchers)

    Workshops in the Workplace as well as Digital Subscriptions are available at a discounted price and 50% reimbursement reward.

    Explore WW

  • Tobacco Cessation

    Quit for Life offers coaching calls, ongoing support, and free nicotine replacement therapies and medication. Call 866.784.8454 or visit the website.

    Visit QuitNow.net

  • Wellness in Maternity

    Learn more about how UVA supports all employees who are nursing, and about additional services Hoos Well offers for UVA employees and their spouses on the UVA Health Plan who are expecting so that you can plan for and have the healthiest pregnancy possible.

    Learn More

  • Chronic Care Coaching

    UVA-WorkMed provides chronic care coaching to assist UVA team members and their families manage chronic health conditions, with the goal of improving health and wellbeing. There is no cost to UVA team members for this service, and eligibility does not depend on enrollment in the UVA Health Plan. For more information, call 434.243.0075 or click the button below.

    Visit UVA-WorkMed

Resources

The following resources are also available to help improve your quality of life. They include information about making your work space more ergonomically appropriate, addiction recovery support within the UVA community, and the UVA-WorkMed Clinic.

  • Environmental Health and Safety - Ergonomics

    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 laboratories or facilities management positions around the University.

    Visit UVA Ergonomics Information

  • UVA-WorkMed

    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.

    Visit UVA-WorkMed

  • Hoos in Recovery

    Get help and join a support network of students, faculty, staff, and alumni recovering from alcohol or addiction through The Gordie Center.

    Visit The Gordie Center

  • Nursing Mothers

    UVA supports employees who are nursing mothers (mothers who breastfeed their babies).

    Read about Resources for Nursing Mothers

  • Hoos Well Advocacy

    Hoos Well Advocacy is a special clinical program provided by UVA Health with the goal of achieving healthier outcomes for participants. This 12-month wellness program pairs you with an advocate and partners with your primary care provider to develop and achieve individualized clinical goals. 

    UVA faculty, staff, team members and spouses who receive an invitation can take part in Hoos Well Advocacy. You can also join the program with a referral from your primary care provider. Call us at 434.243.6388 or email hooswelladvocacy@virginia.edu for more information.