2025 Wellness Week Recap

Pepperdine promises our students more than an academic education; we offer transformative experiences to holistically form individuals into servant-minded leaders who live life abundantly (John 10:10). To make good on this promise, we believe our faculty and staff must model the way, and to that end we offer resources, education, programming, and opportunities to strengthen your holistic wellbeing, acknowledging that each component—physical, social, spiritual, psychological, professional, and financial—are interconnected.

Throughout this week, we will highlight the resources the University provides to help faculty and staff cultivate healthy, fulfilling, and joy-filled lives, along with additional opportunities for you to focus on the components of wellness that matter most to you. When you prioritize your wellbeing, you not only enhance your own life but also contribute to a stronger, more caring community.

We encourage you to take advantage of webinars, skill-building sessions, health screenings, group fitness classes, and more throughout this week. Registration information for available sessions and screenings are linked below.

ACT ON MONDAY

• Realize all of Pepperdine’s Wellness Resources. Review Pepperdine’s total compensation summary to understand and take advantage of how much is available to you throughout the year (with your personal total compensation statement mailed to your campus address this week).
• Assess your resilience skills. Take note of your current state of resilience with this assessment. In each category—physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, service, and life skills—assess where you are doing well and where you would like to improve. Write down one action related to each resilience category you will carry out throughout the week.
• Engage with Health Advocate. Whether you are looking to manage work-life responsibilities, enhance your holistic wellness, or find emotional support, Health Advocate is available to you. With access to helpful resources, Health Advocate offers comprehensive support tailored to your individual needs, helping you navigate challenges and achieve a healthier, more balanced life.

More than half of the U.S. population lives with a chronic disease, such as diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease, many of which can be prevented. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasize that making simple, healthy lifestyle choices—like regular exercising, eating a balanced diet, and getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night—can significantly reduce the risk of these conditions. Additionally, research shows that regular preventive health screenings are associated with longer life expectancy and a better quality of life.

To this end, Pepperdine offers a wide variety of resources to help community members prioritize their physical wellbeing, including:

• Competitive and comprehensive medical benefits coverage
• Flu vaccine clinics offered at campuses every October and November
• On-site preventive health screenings (biometric, skin health, abdominal ultrasounds, and more), with a variety of offerings available for walk-ins this week and more opportunities coming this fall
• Physician-led health webinars and workshops including diabetes prevention, heart health, sleep health, and understanding dementia
• Extensive wellness resources available through our partnership with Health Advocate, including access to certified wellness coaches
• Campus fitness facilities and over 20 group fitness classes offered each week, free for faculty and staff
• Quick reference guides on heart health, weight management, and cancer prevention screening
• Select fitness gym discounts in the greater Los Angeles area
• Healthy options at campus dining locations

ACT ON TUESDAY

• Schedule your annual physical. Because preventative care is crucial for avoiding advanced issues and improving quality of life, contact your primary care physician to schedule your annual physical. Aetna members can call 833-637-0021 (for HMO members) or 833-380-6601 (for HDHP members) while Kaiser Permanente members can call 800-464-4000. If you need support finding a primary care physician or specialist, call Health Advocate at 866-799-2728.
• Move with mindfulness. Incorporate mindful movement into your day by taking short breaks for stretching or deep breathing exercises. Schedule time throughout the day to do some light stretching or a quick walk around campus to reduce stress and improve circulation. Consider attending this afternoon's RISE and Rest Yoga  at the Harilela International Tennis Stadium fitness center.
• Practice healthy habits. Take care of your body. It needs nutritious foods, water, movement, rest, and sunlight. We are wonderfully made in the image of our Creator and should treat ourselves as such. Review Pepperdine’s resources on healthy habits and practicing self-care.

Psychological wellness influences how we manage stress, engage with our environment, and make decisions. More than one in five Americans experience mental, behavioral, or emotional challenges, such as anxiety or mood disorders. While physical pain often demands immediate attention, psychological conditions can be more subtle and sometimes overlooked. Mental health is equally important as physical health, especially since poor mental health can lead to physical health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and fatigue.

Pepperdine provides many resources to help faculty, staff, and their family members strengthen their psychological wellbeing, ensuring you are set up for success, including:

• Mental health services through medical benefits, including Calm for Kaiser Permanente members and AbleTo for Aetna members
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Health Advocate, with ten free counseling sessions per issue, per year, available to faculty, staff, and their family members
• University Chaplain who provides spiritual support and pastoral care
• Ongoing workshops and resources, such as time management, stress management, and meditation sessions
• Select articles and resources on mental wellbeing, depression, and children and teenage mental health
• Commitment to work-life balance, including tiered vacation accruals, paid holidays and volunteer leave, and more
• On-site preventive health screenings, with offerings available for walk-ins today in CCB 140

ACT ON WEDNESDAY

• Practice gratitude. Gratitude is more than showing your appreciation—it is core to who we are as image-bearers of God. This week, acknowledge your gratitude for a colleague (or two) by sending a quick email or handwriting a note of appreciation, letting them know the positive impact they have on your daily life.
• Engage in mindful reflection. Take a few moments today for quiet reflection. Reflect on your values, the positive aspects of your life, and areas where you want to grow. This simple practice can help calm the mind, reduce stress, and foster a greater sense of emotional balance, self-awareness, and clarity.
• Connect with a supportive friend or colleague. Reach out to someone you trust, whether it’s a friend, colleague, or family member, and engage in a meaningful conversation. Sometimes, simply talking with someone who listens can alleviate stress and provide a fresh perspective. Make an effort to create an open and supportive environment where you can both share your thoughts and encourage one another. Building strong social connections is essential for maintaining psychological wellness and fostering emotional resilience.

Financial wellness is defined as an ability to manage current and ongoing financial needs, while also preparing for a secure financial future. Your financial wellness is influenced by factors such as income, age, expenses, debt, and assets. It’s essential to regularly assess your finances and set both short- and long-term goals. Key aspects of financial wellness include maintaining a monthly budget, planning for emergencies, and regularly reviewing your retirement plan.

Pepperdine offers many resources to help faculty and staff bolster their financial wellbeing, including:

• Competitive salaries and professional growth opportunities
• Tuition Remission for full-time, forty-hour a week faculty and staff, their spouses, and dependents
• Generous base (4%) and matching (up to 6%) retirement plan contributions for qualified employees
• Retirement planning seminars and monthly one-on-one consultations
• Access to Certified Financial Planners through Pepperdine's partnership with Benefit Financial Services Group (BFSG)
• Banking, investing, and budgeting education (including today's session on Setting and Achieving Your Financial Goals)
• Automatic Preferred Rewards Gold Tier banking benefits with Bank of America
• Membership access to University Credit Union (providing you with above average savings rates and below average fees)
• In-house trust and estate planning

ACT ON THURSDAY

• Plan your financial future. Meet with a certified financial planner at BFSG to fulfill your financial goals. Whether it's saving for a big purchase, paying down debt, or building an emergency fund, assessing where you stand helps to keep you on track. Pepperdine's partnership with BFSG provides access to certified experts, free to all employees, who will review your financial situation, help you clarify your financial goals and objectives, and develop a financial plan personalized to you.
• Maximize retirement matching contributions. Pepperdine's generous and competitive retirement program communicates care for employees and their families. The University contributes 4% to all eligible employee retirement plans and matches up to an additional 6% of employee contributions (for a possible total 10% University contribution). Maximize University contributions by contributing at least 6% and regularly log in to your Transamerica retirement account to review your savings plan.
• Invest in your family’s education. Pepperdine’s tuition remission program enables you to take courses and pursue degrees at Pepperdine with significant discounts. Unlike self-directed learning, taking courses at Pepperdine enables you to learn in a group setting, with world class faculty, while working toward a degree. This benefit also extends to your spouse and dependents.

Spiritual wellness is achieved when we feel a deep connection to God and our greater purpose. Like other areas of wellness, it is nurtured and strengthened through consistent and deliberate practices such as prayer, worship, fellowship, and solitude. We believe that spiritual wellness animates every part of our lives, including our work. Work is a meaningful and valuable aspect of life that allows us to connect with God, others, and our true selves as we collaborate, create, and problem-solve together toward God's vision of peace and justice. At Pepperdine, a Christian University that embraces people from all backgrounds and at every stage of their faith journey, you are encouraged to live out your faith and allow it to inform your work.

Pepperdine offers faculty and staff various opportunities to practice and deepen their faith, including:

• A mission and community rooted in the Christian faith, informing its shared values of love and respect for each individual as articulated in University policies and the Code of Ethics
• Campus Churches (University Church of Christ, Waves Church)
• Rushford Center and the Churches of Christ Heritage Collection
• Harbor Bible Lectures
• The Hub for Spiritual Life, University Chaplain, and The Well
• Faith-based education and resources offered by the Boone Center for the Family
• Staff Volunteer Leave
• Bible studies, lectures, affinity groups, spiritual mentorship opportunities, and additional resources
• Worship Summit
• Good Friday and Advent Services
• As we wrap up Pepperdine’s 2025 Wellness Week, we hope you are reminded, and empowered, to take ownership of your personal wellbeing in efforts to enjoy life abundant, together.

ACT ON FRIDAY

• Learn about Pepperdine's faith heritage. Working at Pepperdine is unique in that faculty and staff are encouraged to live out their faith in the workplace, imbuing purpose into their daily work. Please visit the Human Resources website to learn more about the Churches of Christ, faculty and staff perspectives of working at a Christian university, and spiritual resources for faculty and staff.
• Register for Harbor 2025. In May, Harbor returns to Pepperdine’s campus bringing together Christians from around the world to engage in education and fellowship. All faculty and staff are encouraged to register for and attend at least one session each day to invest in your spiritual wellness. There will be a special opportunity specifically for Pepperdine faculty and staff to learn more about the Churches of Christ on Wednesday, May 7 at 8:30 AM in the Surfboard Room.
• Join a Bible study led by colleagues. Participate in a group Bible study led by Zac Luben and Chandler Darby to deepen your spiritual wellness and foster connections within the Pepperdine community. These Bible studies offer a space for faculty and staff to come together, study Scripture, and reflect on how it applies to our work and lives. Starting March 25, Zac and Chandler will lead a four-week study on Exodus, exploring the profound story of redemption found in Exodus.