Working @ Elon

Looking for ways to stay healthy this winter? Here are some tips to lower your chances of catching the flu or a cold in the coming months:

• Get Your Vitamin D. Last year, a large analysis published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reported that people with the lowest levels of vitamin D were 40 percent more likely to have had a recent cold or flu than people with the highest D levels. Sunlight is the best source of D, but most of us avoid the sun or wear sunblock to reduce the risk for skin. Please call Well-U to have your levels checked.

Did you know Coca-Cola’s advertising and marketing budget in 2010 was almost $3 billion? Do you know why they have to spend such massive amounts of money to keep convincing you to continue drinking their caramel colored high fructose corn syrup drink?

Don’t forget: Staff Appreciation Day is Friday, May 27 for staff members. Mark your calendar and check your email for more information from the Office of Human Resources.

The 2011-12 Faculty/Staff Campaign is off to a strong start, with 48 percent of employees contributing more than $300,000 to the university so far this academic year. Leaders of the annual fund drive want to build on the success of the 2010-11 campaign, when a record 60 percent of faculty and staff contributed $313,000 to Elon. This year’s goal is 65 percent.

Are you a new employee at Elon? Don't forget to fill out the "Who's New" questionnaire to be featured in the next issue of @Elon!

Do you feel like a slave to cigarettes? Are the people you love breathing your secondhand smoke? Would you like to feel better, have more energy and save about $1500 a year? You can quit smoking with Quit Smart, Duke University’s unique smoking cessation program that Well U now offers to Elon University employees.

Want to know how healthy the snacks you eat really are for your health? Looking for ways to eat healthy on a tight budget? Well U, Elon's Wellness Program, offers you a chance to learn about the foods you eat and how they impact your health, as well as how to make healthy snack choices on a tight budget.

Looking for ways to remain healthy? Well U, Elon's wellness program, offers many programs that can help you achieve this goal.