February is not only the month we celebrate Valentine’s Day, it’s also American Heart Month. Take some time to give yourself a little TLC by participating in heart-healthy activities and earn points toward your well-being reward while you’re at it. *When you earn 300 points by Oct. 31, 2021, we’ll pay the first $70 of your individual deductible next year. 

• Eat a heart-healthy diet and track your calories. Certain foods can increase your risk of heart disease, but it can be difficult to change your eating habits. Use MyFitnessPal through Virgin Pulse to track your calories and integrate more heart-healthy foods into your diet. When you track your calories ten days throughout the month, you can earn 25 well-being reward points.
  
  
• Explore the heart-y benefits of the Mediterranean diet. Take a Journey with Virgin Pulse to explore Mediterranean cuisine and its health benefits. With 10 days of online health coaching, you’ll get short lessons on putting together delicious meals and snacks. After completing the Journey, you’ll earn 25 well-being reward points.
  
  
• Get your annual check-up. The American Heart Association recommends heart health screenings that include weight checks, blood pressure tests, blood cholesterol tests, and blood glucose tests. Your primary care doctor can run some of the tests and provide recommendations based on your medical history and health needs. You can earn 75 well-being reward points after preventive care visits when you report it in Virgin Pulse.  
  
  
• Flex your heart muscle with exercise. Physical activity is one of the best things you can do to keep weight in control and prevent heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity a week. Exercise 10 times throughout the month and report it in Virgin Pulse to earn 50 well-being reward points.
  
  
• Manage your stress and build your resilience. High levels of stress can affect behaviors that can increase the risk of heart disease, such as inactivity, high blood pressure, smoking, or overeating. Practice mindfulness using Virgin Pulse’s Whil program, which can help build resilience. When you complete 10 sessions in a month, you can earn 25 well-being reward points. 
  
  

Get started in Virgin Pulse

Start earning points and showing your heart some love using Virgin Pulse, our well-being program vendor. Visit their page online to create an account, or download their mobile app. You can access their programs or report an activity by selecting “How to Earn” under the Home tab.

*All benefits-eligible state employees have access to our well-being program, which is run through Virgin Pulse. Only employees enrolled in the Minnesota Advantage health plan are eligible for the reward. The $70 reward applies only toward the employee’s individual deductible. 

Learn more about our well-being program and reward.

Learn more about the well-being reward program and other healthy activities.