MHealthy will host its first “I Will Be MHealthy” expos, encouraging university faculty and staff to take a few minutes out of their day to get tips and advice on health and well-being topics. The expos will include free food tastings, chair massages, giveaways and an opportunity to support C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
The beginning of the year is the busiest time for programs like MHealthy as people try to maintain their New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, quit smoking, or other health-related pursuits, says Colleen Greene, MHealthy wellness coordinator.
“This is the time when people really start thinking about what they can do to change or improve their health,” Greene says. “We want to let them know there are dozens of programs and services available to help keep them motivated to stick to their resolutions year round.”
MHealthy staff members will be on hand to give tips and answer questions on:
• Eating healthier
• Managing weight
• Being active
• Managing stress
• Becoming smoke-free
• Taking care of the back and body
• Managing alcohol consumption
“These events are a fun and easy way to get all your questions answered in less than 20 minutes,” Greene says. “In one place you can learn about eating healthier, get a chair massage, talk to a fitness or stress-management expert, and sign up for Active U and MHealthy Rewards.”
The expos will include computer stations where employees can sign up for Active U or complete their MHealthy Rewards 2011 health questionnaire.
MHealthy Rewards is open to qualifying benefits-eligible faculty and staff. Participants will receive a personalized health report and earn a $50 before-tax incentive by completing the 2011 annual health questionnaire by March 9. If they also complete one eligible health and well-being activity, like Active U, Weight Watchers, a fitness or nutrition consultation or one of more than 20 other options, they will earn an additional $50 before-tax incentive.
Active U, the 12-week physical activity challenge and charity fundraiser, is open to all university faculty, staff, graduate students and retirees. Participants can register as part of a team or as an individual. Last year, more than 11,000 participants signed up, logged more than 18 million activity minutes and raised nearly $14,000 for charity.
Two “I Will Be MHealthy” expos are scheduled: Thursday at the Michigan League Ballroom and Feb. 9 at in the Dow Auditorium Lobby in the U-M Towsley Center. Both events will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, go to www.MHealthy.umich.edu or call 734-647-7888.
To sign up for Active U, go to www.MHealthy.umich.edu/activeu. Registration closes Feb. 15.
To take the 2011 health questionnaire and register for eligible activities, go to www.MHealthy.umich.edu/rewards. The health questionnaire closes March 9.
