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Duke University campus
Use what would have been your commute time to get some exercise, or go out and walk for 30 minutes at lunchtime.

When it comes to health, you'll want to lean into the good things — the flexibility to take more time for yourself, get some exercise, and eat healthy.

Work/Life Balance and Mental Health

  • Set boundaries between your work and life. One of the bad raps working at home gets is that your workday bleeds into the rest of your life. It certainly can do that, but working from home doesn't mean you have to work all the time when you're at home. Step away from your computer at the same time every day, when others are heading out on their commute home.
  • Relax and let your work speak for itself. If you are getting your work done and doing a good job, there's no need to worry. You can step away to refresh your coffee or make lunch without worrying that someone will think you're shirking your responsibility. You wouldn't be working from home if your manager didn't trust you. Don't betray that trust, but don't feel like you have to be chained to your desk to keep proving you deserve it.
  • Explore strategies to handle stress. We're all doing more with less and it takes a toll on body, mind and spirit. How To Manage Stress can help you learn some skills for managing stress and gaining perspective on the stressors in your life.
  • Reach out for help if you need to. Duke Personal Assistance Service (PAS) provides short-term, confidential counseling at no charge for Duke employees and immediate family members for a variety of behavioral health concerns. Call PAS at 919-416-1727 to make an online or telephonic appointment.

Ergonomic Considerations

Duke's Occupational & Environmental Safety Office (OESO) provides employees with support relating to workstation ergonomics.

Health Coaching Programs

Health coaches can help individuals improve sleep, nutrition, blood sugar and exercise habits, lose weight, manage stress and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Sign up for a health coaching program here.

Staying Fit

  • Use your time wisely. Without a commute to get you moving in the morning and the evening, it's too easy to be sedentary all day. Use what would have been your commute time to get some exercise, or go out and walk for 30 minutes at lunchtime.
  • Participate in a LIVE FOR LIFE program. Here are some programs offered by LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke's employee wellnessprogram, that can help you get moving and stay fit:
    • Wellbeats: Complete workouts, practice yoga or take a mindfulness break with Wellbeats, an on-demand fitness provider. Workouts range from two to 30 minutes and are accessible online. Sign up to start your Wellbeats subscription for $5 per month. Enroll now.
    • Duke Run/Walk Club: In-person sessions are postponed; however, you can participate through a remote program.
    • Take Ten "Energize Your Workday:" Increase your flexibility, improve cardiovascular health and increase strength with the Take Ten "Energize Your Workday" Program. The self-paced incentive program encourages Duke staff and faculty to participate in physical activity twice a day for 10 minutes at a time. Start today.
    • Take the Stairs: Step right up to Take the Stairs, a stair-stepping program that can help you increase your physical activity and meet your health goals. Sign up here.

Eating Healthy

  • Find out what Duke dieticians have to say. Duke dietitians answer food-related questions and offer guidance with the "Food Matters" webinars every month. Each week focuses on a different topic. Sign up for Food Matters here.
  • Don't work too close to the fridge. You want to get up from your desk regularly throughout the day ... but not to walk to the kitchen every time. This is a case in which “out of sight, out of mind” is probably a good thing.

*Adapted from Fidelity Investments Employee Value of Benefits Research