What you need to know
Ready to improve your health and do good at the same time? When you, your spouse, and fellow Sandians take 500 million steps during this challenge, you will unlock a $10,000 donation to organizations supporting local LGBTQ youth. You exceeded 500 million steps during last year’s Healthy Living, Healthy Giving challenge, so do it again for a great cause!
Join this six-week step challenge to integrate mindfulness into your life to improve your relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and the community.
The enrollment period is June 22 – July 12.
The challenge runs July 13 – Aug. 28.
How the Challenge Works
This is a six-week step challenge tracked on Virgin Pulse. Your spouse is eligible to participate, and friendly division competitions are encouraged.
You earn Virgin Pulse points as you track your steps during the challenge. Once all of the participants accumulate a total of 500 million steps together, by the deadline, Sandia will make the charitable donation.
Your Challenge Checklist
Your first step is to access Virgin Pulse and enroll by July 12.
Get moving! Upload your steps to Virgin Pulse weekly to receive Health Action Plan credit.
Upload your steps to Virgin Pulse by Aug. 30 to unlock the donation to charity.
Resources and Supporting Activities
- Fitness classes – Our staff of certified exercise professionals offer a variety of onsite group fitness classes. To participate, you must complete the PAR-Q form.
- Fitness facilities – Fitness facilities are open to the entire workforce and offer a variety of cardio and resistance training equipment, perfect for morning, lunchtime, or after-work exercise sessions. To use the facilities, you must complete the PAR-Q form, and in New Mexico, you must also schedule a gym orientation. Call 505-844-2437 to schedule your orientation.
- Energy Hubs – Our Energy Hub locations are spaces for mindfulness, meditation, stretching, and movement that can help you recharge, restore, and renew your mind and body for increased productivity, health, and safety.
- Monthly Mile (first Tuesday of each month)
- Quarterly 5K
- Whil
- Virgin Pulse – track your activity and healthy habits
- Mindful Mondays
- A Breath Away from Catastrophe: Creating Mindful Work Environments (article)
- 3 Tips for Practicing Mindfulness in a Multitasking Workplace (article)
- All About You: Multitasking and mindfulness (article)
- Movement Manifesto (video)
- The Power of Breaks (video)
- Making Exercise Fun Again (video)
- Multitasking Madness (video)
- Focus-Centering (video)
- Breathe to Relax (video)
- Introduction to Relaxation (video)
- Mindful Eating (video)
- Yoga at Your Desk (video)
- Mindful Breathing (video)
- Developing Resiliency (video)
Earn Virgin Pulse points
- Receive 500 Virgin Pulse points for attending events by video or Skype
- Receive 1,000 Virgin Pulse points for attending an appointment or live class
Contact Employee Health Services
Preventive Health Services (New Mexico)
505-284-4700, Option 1 (phone lines open at 7 a.m.)
MO307 (behind Buildings 831 and 832)
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT, Monday through Friday
Preventive Health Services (California)
925-294-3500
Building 925 and MO32/Life Design Center
7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday
Ready to take action?
Enroll NowQuick Tip
Each week, you will receive an email with tips and bonus activities related to this Health Action Plan. Get the most out of this challenge by reviewing your tips and trying out the suggested activities.