The first well-being challenge of 2023 is all about you. Your physical health. Your mood. Your mental health. Your social life. Take part in the 28-day Self-Care Challenge to take time for you and be your best self.

The challenge is Jan. 30 to Feb. 26. Add self-care minutes to your routine each week and you’ll earn 100 points when you complete the challenge. Earn at least 300 points by the end of October 2023 and save $70 on your 2024 Medical Advantage Plan deductible.

Self-care helps you focus on the quality of your life right now. You can start to feel better even by focusing on you just five minutes a day. Here’s how the challenge works:

• Pick an area of focus. Mental health, social connections, economic health, physical health, nutrition, sleep, fitness—the sky’s the limit. If you’re new to self-care—or you keep trying to get better at it—try setting your goal at 35 minutes a week. That’s just five minutes a day. If your daily routine already includes time just for you, think about adding minutes to your current routine. If you’re short on time, consider small tweaks to your day.
• Set a goal. How many minutes a week will you take time for self-care?
• Sign up or log in to Virgin Pulse, the well-being program vendor.
• Report your minutes of self-care each week in Virgin Pulse to earn points toward your well-being program reward.

Details you’ll want to know

• Participant names and challenge activity will be visible on a Virgin Pulse leaderboard.   
• To earn the 100 points, you must complete 100% of your weekly goal. 
• Report each week, not at the end of the challenge. The “go back” grace period is just 14 days so you can’t wait until the end.

Share ideas among friends. Maybe:

• Start a self-care journal
• Call that person you’ve been meaning to call
• Take a walk 
• Make your favorite meal
• Try cooking something new (See the recipes in Foodsmart, Wellbeats, Noom)
• Wake up 15 minutes earlier
• Try some mindfulness and/or meditation (Koa Foundations) 
• Create a financial budget
  
• Stretch (Have you tried Wellbeats yet?)
• Listen to music
• Clean and organize your bedroom
• De-clutter a drawer, room or desk
• Read inspirational quotes
• Drink more water Complete a workout (See Wellbeats for exercise for the entire family.)
• Dance (Wellbeats)
• Write down three things that make you smile
• Work on relaxation techniques (Koa Foundations)
• Keep track of your spending
• Take a long shower or bath

Employees who increase and report self-care minutes will earn 100 points toward their well-being reward. Earn 300 points by Oct. 31, 2023 and save $70 on your 2024 individual Medical Advantage Health Plan deductible.