February invites us to focus on what sustains long‑term vitality — daily movement, nutrition, stress regulation, meaningful connection and heart-healthy habits.
February Wellness Wednesday: Giddy Up and Groove
With the Houston Rodeo season around the corner, join Kelly Fox, executive vice president for Operations, Finance, and Support, and the Rice Employee Health and Well-Being team for a rodeo‑themed line dancing session — high‑energy, beginner‑friendly and the perfect midday cardio boost. In recognition of February being American Heart Month, attendees are encouraged to wear red and stop by our heart-health photo booth!
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 25 Time: 12-12:45 p.m. Location: Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center Courtyard
*Do you know your numbers? Rice EMS will provide free blood pressure checks.
Well-Being Tip of the Month: Protect Your Heart by Stabilizing Your Energy
Your heart health improves when your energy, blood sugar and stress stay steady throughout the day. This month’s tips focus on simple habits that support your whole well-being.
Physical Well-Being
Post-Meal Walk Ritual (10 minutes): Walking after meals improves blood sugar regulation and supports blood pressure control. Even light movement improves vascular function.
Cook at least 2 to 3 meals at home per week so you can control their contents.
Behavioral and Emotional Well-Being: "The Heart and Mind Reset"
Quick tip:Emotional labeling is the ability to recognize and label your emotions as you experience them. Simply pausing to say, "I'm feeling overloaded” or “I’m feeling tense” can shift your brain toward problem‑solving mode instead of stress mode, benefiting both behavioral and cardiac health.
Nirvana Meditation Sessions:Join us for guided meditation to restore balance and clarity every Thursday from 12-12:20 p.m. in the RMC Chapel, from Jan. 29 to April 23.
Social and Professional Well-Being
Meaningful Micro-Connections: Positive social interactions help reduce stress and support heart health. Connection is preventive health!
This month:
Send one message of appreciation.
Invite a colleague for a brief walk meeting.
Attend one campus well-being session.
Health Coaching and Wellness Programs
Virtual Health Coaching
The Rice Employee Health and Well-Being Program is offering free, individualized health and well-being coaching for all faculty and staff. This one-on-one coaching is tailored to your unique needs and may focus on stress management, nutrition, movement, mindset, rest and overall lifestyle balance. All Rice faculty and staff are eligible for three free health coaching sessions!
Small moments. Big benefits. Once a month, join this 15-minute wellness reset to learn one practical, evidence-based tool you can use immediately; no prep, no pressure, no homework.
Location: Virtual on Zoom, use this link to join Pricing: FREE Time: 11:30-11:45 a.m., the first Monday of each month
FREE Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) Pilot — Limited Spots Left We are closing in on recruitment for our FREE pilot focused on real-time management of metabolic health and weight, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Participants receive access to an FDA-approved, real-time metabolic and weight health platform that shows how food, sleep, movement, stress and exercise impact metabolism and weight, tailored to your unique lifestyle.
Whether you’re on a GLP-1, tapering or on a chronic care or weight journey without medication, this confidential, personalized app gives you clear insight into what’s working for your unique body and your unique lifestyle. Click here to fill out the interest form if you have not already!
Nearly 1 in 2 U.S. adults lives with cardiovascular disease, and heart disease remains the nation’s leading cause of death. The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that even modest increases in physical activity, healthier eating, regular blood pressure checks and stress‑reduction strategies can significantly lower cardiovascular risk.
How healthy are you? Use the Life’s Essential 8™ My Life Check Calculator to find out and get personalized tips to set your own health goals now.
Drop by the Rec for a free blood pressure check from Rice EMS as part of our Heart Month offerings. Get quick insight into key numbers like blood pressure and heart rate, the important indicators of cardiovascular health and early risk. Staying informed is one of the strongest tools for prevention!
National Cancer Prevention Month
The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that up to 40% of U.S. cancer cases are preventable through lifestyle and early screenings.
Key actions:
Screenings matter: Stay up-to-date on your annual mammograms, colonoscopies, Pap/HPV tests, and lung cancer screenings.
Nutrition counts: Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and plant-forward meals help lower cancer risk. Start your journey with our registered dietitian today using this link.
Move more: Aim for 150 minutes of weekly physical activity, which can reduce several cancer risks. Schedule customized group exercise opportunities like Zumba, Box & Burn and many more for your team with our Well-Being Outreach Services.
Quit tobacco: Smoking remains the number-one preventable cause of cancer. Quitting at any age meaningfully reduces risk within years; seek support to quit smoking with Rice’s health coaching program, which offers personalized support, habit-change strategies and accountability to help you successfully stop tobacco use.
Multi-cancer early detection: Galleri® is offered at Rice for a fee. This test screens for signals associated with multiple types of cancer through a simple blood draw. Individuals interested in learning more or scheduling testing may email Dr. Vick at av82@rice.edu.
Owl-Liance Spotlight: Andrew Wright with the Rice Recreation and Wellness Center
Andrew Wright led an energetic Fitness Ball Volleyball session for the Rec Pro Staff as part of his “Fun Fit Friday” monthly initiative. He brought teamwork, laughter and movement to remind us of fresh ways to stay active, connect with colleagues and bring play back into our workday. Thank you, Andrew, for keeping wellness fun and community-centered!
Stay well,
Employee Health & Well-Being Team
Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
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