Campus News

Sign up for new health initiatives

Are you looking for an exciting way to get healthy this spring?

UGA is offering faculty and staff two opportunities to participate in a spring health initiative: the University System of Georgia’s HealthTrails Challenge and the UGA Work/Life Balance “Commit to U” campus walking initiative.

HealthTrails is an online tracking program sponsored by the USG well-being program. All benefit-eligible employees are invited to join the UGA HealthTrails team and compete with their co-workers against other USG institutions during a six-week health and well-being challenge.

The program includes a fun way to log steps, water consumption and acts of kindness to earn points for the UGA team. Simple, everyday healthy habits produce the greatest benefits, so each person’s contribution affects the team score.

HealthTrails is compatible with Fitbit or Jawbone tracking devices so participants can sync their device to the HealthTrails account or app to automatically record progress.

Participants who do not already own a wearable tracking device can register now to possibly qualify for a Fitbit subsidy of $44 toward the purchase of a Fitbit. The number of subsidies is limited.

Registration is open through April 3 at https://usgwellbeing.healthtrails.com. The challenge will begin March 20 and end April 30.

To kick off the event, the UGA Work/Life Balance Program is hosting the “Commit to U” group walk March 20 at noon. Employees are encouraged to join their co-workers and campus celebrities for a half-mile walk on one of five different campus walking routes.

Employees wanting to join the UGA “Commit to U” walk should register at http://bit.ly/committohealth. The first 100 registrants will receive a free T-shirt the day of the event. After the kick-off walk, campus walking groups will be formed to continue the “Commit to U” walking initiative.

“Everyone needs to take a break during the day, get out from behind their computer and get outside on our beautiful campus,” said Kiz Adams, UGA’s work/life balance coordinator. “I feel sure when employees see how easy it is to walk, how lovely the campus is and how much better they feel after getting outside and walking-more focused and less stressed-they will begin to incorporate a daily walk in their schedules.”

For more information, visit www.hr.uga.edu/work-life-balance or contact worklifebalance@uga.edu.