2026 Wellness Week Recap

Our commitment to Pepperdine students goes beyond the classroom; we aim to provide transformative experiences that shape them into servant-minded leaders who live life abundantly (John 10:10). This promise is made possible because of you. We believe that for our faculty and staff to model this way of life, you must have the space and support to thrive across every dimension of your own wellbeing, be it physical, social, spiritual, psychological, professional, or financial.

Throughout this week, we are highlighting the various resources and programs the University provides to help you cultivate a healthy life filled with joy and purpose. Each component of wellbeing is interconnected, and by prioritizing your own health and wellness, you strengthen our entire community.

TAKE ACTION

• Commit to attending one Wellness Week event this week. When taking charge of your health and wellness, it can be challenging to know where to start. While it’s easy to get caught up in daily responsibilities, taking even a short break to focus on your wellbeing can make you more energized, engaged, and effective in your work. Browse the full list of this week's health screenings and wellness events , and choose which to attend.
• 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 soon being mailed to your home address).
• Take advantage of RISE resources and get involved. Pepperdine's Resilience-Informed Skills Education (RISE) Program seeks to support faculty and staff as they walk alongside our students in their journey to build physical, social, cognitive, spiritual, service, and life skills resilience. Take the Resilience Self Assessment, explore Strategies to Build Resilience, consider becoming a RISE coach, and attend the RISE Yoga session on Wednesday to strengthen your resilience.

Chronic conditions—including diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease—currently affect more than half of the U.S. population, yet many of these challenges are preventable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), small but consistent lifestyle shifts, such as prioritizing seven hours of sleep, staying active, and maintaining a balanced diet, can remarkably lower your risk for these issues. Beyond these daily habits, research continues to affirm that staying current with preventive health screenings is one of the most effective ways to ensure a longer, 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
• On-site preventive health screenings (biometric, skin health, organ ultrasound, heart health) offered annually
• Campus fitness facilities and over 15 group fitness classes offered each week, including a specially designed fitness bootcamp for staff and faculty, kicking off on March 10
• Flu vaccine clinics offered at all campuses every October and November
• Regular physician-led health webinars and workshops including diabetes prevention, cancer prevention, stress management, and understanding dementia
• Extensive wellness resources available through Health Advocate, including access to certified wellness coaches
• Select fitness gym discounts, with additional discounts often available upon request
• Healthy eating options at campus dining locations

TAKE ACTION

• 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. If you need support finding a primary care physician or specialist, call Health Advocate at 866.799.2728.
• Take advantage of Pepperdine’s group fitness classes. As a member of the Pepperdine community, you have access to the Pepperdine fitness centers, pool, tennis courts, recreation fields, and instructor-led group fitness classes. This week, attend a Campus Recreation fitness class or hike to the cross or Heroes Garden, and sign up to join the Spring Fitness Bootcamp for faculty and staff on March 10.
• Make time for intentional movement. Set aside 5-10 minutes a day to do some light stretching or a quick walk around campus to reduce stress and improve circulation. This small action can refresh both your body and mind, supporting your physical wellness while enhancing your overall wellbeing.

Our psychological wellness deeply impacts how we connect with those around us, make decisions, and manage the stresses of everyday life. Currently, more than one in five Americans face mental, behavioral, or emotional hurdles, including anxiety and mood disorders. Unlike physical pain, which often calls for our immediate attention, psychological conditions can be quieter and more easily dismissed. However, mental health is just as vital as physical health—especially considering that poor mental health often leads to physical symptoms like low energy levels, heart disease, or diabetes.

Pepperdine provides many resources to help faculty, staff, and their family members strengthen their psychological wellbeing, including:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Health Advocate, available to faculty, staff, and their family members, with ten free counseling sessions per issue, per year (866.799.2655)
• Mental health services through medical benefits plans, including Calm for Kaiser members and Array for Aetna members
• University Chaplain Dee Dee Mayer, who provides pastoral care and support resources
• Ongoing workshops and resources, including stress, time, and energy management quick guides
• Select articles and resources on general mental wellbeing, depression, and children and teenage mental health
• Mindfulness and meditation sessions offered annually, including a session Friday on A Christian Approach to Mindfulness, led by Robert Scholz
• Commitment to work-life balance, including tiered vacation accruals, paid holidays, volunteer leave, and more

TAKE ACTION

• Practice mindfulness. Set aside time to sit in silence and check in with yourself emotionally and mentally. Journaling your thoughts, feelings, or experiences can help process emotions and increase self-awareness. Reflect on your values, the positive aspects of your life, and areas where you want to grow. These simple practices can help calm the mind, reduce stress, and foster a greater sense of emotional balance and clarity.
• Connect with a supportive friend or colleague. Reach out to someone you trust today, 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.
• 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.

Financial wellness is the ability to manage your current and ongoing financial needs while simultaneously preparing for a secure future. This sense of security is influenced by a variety of factors, including your income, expenses, debt, and assets. Because these elements change over time, it is essential to regularly assess your finances and establish both short- and long-term goals. Key habits for maintaining your financial health include following a monthly budget, planning for emergencies, and consistently reviewing your retirement plan.

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

• Competitive and equitable salaries
• Tuition Remission for full-time, forty-hour a week faculty and staff, their spouses, and dependents
• Generous base (4%) and matching (6%) retirement plan contributions for qualified employees
• Access to Certified Financial Planners through Pepperdine's partnership with Benefit Financial Services Group (BFSG)
• Retirement planning seminars (including monthly one-on-one consultations and a retirement planning session this afternoon, where you will learn strategies to maximize your retirement savings and gain practical tips to help you feel confident about your long-term financial future)
• Financial education, including banking, investing, and budgeting
• 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 through Pepperdine’s Planned Giving team

TAKE ACTION

• 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 discounted tuition. Unlike self-directed learning, taking courses at Pepperdine enables you to learn in a group setting, with a professor, while working toward a degree. Additionally, this benefit extends to your spouse and dependents.
• 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.

Spiritual wellness is found when we experience a deep connection to God and our greater purpose. Much like our physical or mental health, this area of our lives is strengthened through intentional and consistent practices—whether through prayer and worship or moments of fellowship and solitude. We believe that spiritual wellness is what animates every part of life, including our professional life. Our shared work is a significant and meaningful calling that allows us to connect with God, one another, and our truest selves as we create and collaborate together toward Jesus’ vision of peace and justice. As a Christian University that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and at every stage of their spiritual journey, we encourage you to live out, explore, and strengthen your faith in the tasks and projects you complete each day.

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
• Worship, ministry, and service opportunities with The Hub for Spiritual Life
• Annual spiritual wellness events including the Worship Summit, Good Friday service, and Advent service
• Rushford Center and the Churches of Christ Heritage Collection
• Harbor Bible Lectures
• Faith-based education and resources offered by the Boone Center for the Family
• Campus Churches (University Church of Christ, Waves Church)
• Staff Volunteer Leave
• Regular Bible studies, lectures, affinity groups, and  spiritual mentorship opportunities
• The ongoing benefits of working in a faith-forward environment at a Christian University, including how we are shaped by our affiliation with the Churches of Christ

TAKE ACTION

• 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 or the Rushford Center 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 2026. This May, Harbor returns to Pepperdine’s Malibu campus, bringing together Christians from around the world to engage in education and fellowship. All faculty and staff are able to register and attend for free, and are encouraged to participate in at least one session each day. There will be a special class specifically for Pepperdine faculty and staff on the Churches of Christ on Wednesday, May 6 at 12 PM in Payson Library.
• Join service projects hosted by Community Engagement and Service. Service projects are a practice of spiritual wellness, offering the opportunity to connect with your values, cultivate compassion for others, and experience the joy of giving.