Sleep is one of the most fundamental aspects of health and well-being, but it’s often the most neglected. Between work demands, family demands, and social interactions, sleep takes a back seat to other priorities. Natalie Dodd, LCSW, of Work/Life Connections-EAP offers helpful tips to better your sleep.

The phenomenon of “Dry January” helps people “reset” their use of alcohol and evaluate the role it plays in their lives by taking a month vacation from the use of alcohol. Work/Life Connections-EAP gives information regarding the effects of alcohol abuse.

January is known for fresh starts and setting new goals for the new year. It’s a great time to start figuring out how to balance your personal and professional life. Work/Life Connections-EAP gives a few things to consider for VUMC faculty and staff members seeking a more balanced life.

A new year is a great time to reflect on health, wellness, and establishing balance in our routine. To help keep you motivated, Work/Life Connections-EAP offers a few tips to tilt the wellness scale in a positive direction.

The first Sunday of November at 2 a.m. marks the end of daylight savings, and while it's nice to have a little more rest, we end up losing more sunlight during the day. Work/Life Connections-EAP shares some tips on how to manage the adjustment to better cope during this time.

​Learn This topic was developed in partnership with Rooted Community Health within the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society. What does it mean to eat for the environment? Eating for the environment, or eating sustainably, is about choosing foods that are healthy for your body and the world around you. Sustainable eating patterns help conserve natural resources while also supporting local farms.

​Learn Mindfulness is maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. Mindful eating is being conscious of your hunger cues, savoring your food, and knowing when you are satisfied with a meal. Practicing these steps can help you maintain a healthy relationship with the food you eat and avoid unhealthy patterns, like overeating due to distraction, stress, or sadness.

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​Learn Sodium is an essential nutrient that your body needs to function, but too much can lead to increased blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease. So, how much is too much? The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 mg (about one teaspoon of salt) per day for healthy people and less than 1,500 mg for adults with high blood pressure. Yet the average American consumes nearly 3,400 mg a day! So where is all this sodium coming from? Sodium Sources

​Learn More than half of American adults take a multivitamin or some type of dietary supplement, but do they really need it? According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, nutritional needs should be met through eating and drinking nutritious foods and beverages whenever possible. This means regularly eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and dairy products.