Summer’s in full swing, and it's the perfect time to reset your energy and reflect on your overall well-being. Whether you're navigating a packed calendar or enjoying a slower pace, this month's newsletter highlights easy ways to boost focus, move more and rest better - all season long.
July Wellness Wednesday: Desk Flow Virtual Workshop with Dr. Vick
While we're away from campus, join us virtually for a midsummer Wellness Wednesday! This session is designed to help you maintain momentum in your well-being routine and stay connected with your Rice community.
Join us for our first-ever virtual Wellness Wednesday: Desk Flow! Join Dr. Anatolia Vick and the rest of the Rice Employee Health and Well-Being team for a refreshing 30-minute movement session you can do right at your desk or in any small space. Designed for all fitness levels, Desk Flow blends a gentle warm-up, full-body activation and a calming cooldown to help you reset, recharge and re-center. Whether seated or standing, move with intention and feel your best. No equipment, no stress, just flow.
Date: Wednesday, July 23 Time: 11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Well-Being Tip of the Month: Create a Routine That Serves You
In a world filled with constant alerts and “time confetti,” learn how to overcome scattered attention and time traps that lead to unproductive multitasking by building intentional routines in your leisure time in this insightful article by Behavioral Scientist.
Try this: use the delight drop strategy to identify one thing from your day, like a fleeting moment, small win or kind gesture, that brought you a sense of joy throughout your day.
When we begin to notice what delights us, we also begin to notice what grounds us. Let’s take a moment to deepen that awareness, not by doing more, but by simply being present. This short video created by our Nirvana instructor, YeeJin Yuk, will guide you through tuning into your senses, your breath and the beauty of a mindful pause.
Physical activity fuels focus, mood, and sleep - and it doesn’t have to just come from a workout. Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT); the calories you burn from everyday movement like taking the stairs, stretching between meetings or walking after dinner, can make a powerful impact on your metabolism and overall well-being. Move More to feel the difference.
Support Your Behavioral Health with SupportLinc Your behavioral health matters. Make time to reflect, unplug and connect. Even small actions, like reducing screen time or stepping outside, support long-term emotional wellness.
Space is limited; register via the Rice Events webpage to reserve your spot.
Manage Stress & Emotional Resilience with REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Did you know the fourth stage of sleep, REM sleep, helps regulate emotions, manage anxiety and boost brain function? Most adults need about two hours of this "active sleep" stage to play a role in memory consolidation, emotional processing, healthy brain development and dreaming. When REM sleep occurs, it includes relaxed muscles, quick eye movement, irregular breathing, elevated heart rate and increased brain activity. Prioritize rest by winding down two hours before your bedtime, managing stress and creating a sleep-friendly environment.
Hydration and Sun Safety Tips
As the temperature heats up, staying hydrated and protected from the sun is essential. Signs of dehydration (headaches, darker urine and fatigue) with heat exposure, even mild, can reduce focus and energy.
Hydration:
Drink 8-10 cups of water daily (increase with activity or hotter days).
Include electrolyte-rich foods like bananas, leafy greens, yogurt and avocados to help regulate muscle function.
Use hydration boosters like coconut water or electrolyte powders (look for low-sugar options like LMNT, Liquid I.V. or Nuun).
Stay ready! Keep an electrolyte pack in your desk or bag for long teaching days or post-fitness classes, and carry a refillable water bottle.
Sun Protection:
Use SPF 30+ sunscreen daily and reapply every two hours if you’re outside. See EWG’s guide for safe sunscreens!
Wear UV-protective clothes, sunglasses and wide-brim hats.
Avoid peak UV hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and seek shade when possible.
Read more on sun safety by reading this article on skin cancer by Harvard Medical School.
Our Well-Being Outreach Services are Here to Support You
Looking to help your team thrive? Request a well-being session or build a custom program by submitting a Well-Being Outreach Request Form or schedule a meeting with Christina Eldridge, our Assistant Director for Employee Health Well-Being, to find the best fit for your team’s needs at no cost.
