Wellness and Work-Life Blog


The Power of Movement and Community

Finish line photo from Ironman Rockford 70.3. Hi, y’all! My name is Ella Marie, and I’m originally from Northern Illinois. I moved to Tuscaloosa to attend The University of Alabama for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees and loved the Tuscaloosa community so much that I decided to stay after graduation.Growing up, sports, outdoor recreation,…


Keeping Your Blood Pressure in Check

Explains systolic and diastolic numbers and how to interpret them, plus practical ways daily habits like food, movement, stress, and sleep can help support healthy blood pressure.


Finding Motivation in Movement

Madison running in the Tuscaloosa Half Marathon

Meet Madison, an instructor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at The University of Alabama and one of the top steppers in a recent MoveSpring challenge! As a registered yoga teacher and marathon runner, Madison has found ways to make movement a meaningful and enjoyable part of her everyday life. We caught up with…


Stronger for the life ahead

Tonya Sanders

Tell us a little about yourself! My name is Tonya Sanders, I’ve worked on campus for 30 years in the same college, I’ve been married to my husband for 34 years, we have 2 grown kids who recently got married within 7 months of each other. We also now have a granddaughter due in October.…


Strive for Five: Build Healthy Habits Over the Next Five Weeks

Ready to build some healthy habits over the next five weeks? Strive for Five starts, September 14! This 5-week challenge is all about finding healthy habits that fit your life and building consistency along the way. Choose one, a few, or all five wellness categories and make them work for you: Be Mindful, Nourish, Move…


Heart Smart: Why cholesterol Matters

hdl and ldl cholesterol crossword in ivory letter tiles against textured handmade bark paper, health and medical concept

Breaks down the basics of cholesterol, including LDL and what your numbers mean, along with simple lifestyle strategies to support heart health. Find out your cholesterol at a WellBAMA health screening!


School of Social Work Finds Connection

Social Work, building, Little Hall, sunshine

The School of Social Work (SSW) includes employees across a wide range of positions, with many administrative assistants supporting the school. Courtney Crosby participated in the mid-morning walking breaks with her SSW team because they needed an excuse to get outside and exercise. The walking breaks gave the team an opportunity to discuss tasks for…


Upside of Stress: The Stress Mindset

Happy smile relax face in wooden lable. Emotion happiness feed good positive thinking concept. Customer review assessment quality or feedback good mood, Happy mental.

Explore what stress really means, how it affects the mind and body, and what you can do to embrace the stress. Come ready to practice the skills you’ll learn to rethink stress and build a stress mindset for everything life throws at you.


Calming the Flame: Lowering Chronic Inflammation

Close-up of a young woman holding a wrist with wrist pain, medic

Explore simple, everyday strategies to help reduce chronic inflammation through nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management for better overall health and energy.


How Small Changes Led to Big Step Gains

Dakota Gray with her dog, Dean

Dakota Gray, who works at the Capstone College of Nursing, was recognized as the Most Improved participant in the July Monthly Step Goal Challenge after making a big jump in her daily steps from June to July. She started with a 5K step goal before challenging herself to reach 10K steps, focusing on consistency rather…


Going the Extra Mile

Meet Christy Tanner, Program Assistant at the University Supply Store! Christy recently set a monthly step goal and went well beyond it, proving that consistency and a willingness to keep moving can make a big difference. For Christy, walking has become a regular part of her routine. When the weather is cooler, she takes advantage…


Find Your Path, Enjoy the Scenery

Kenny Wunder is the Dai-ichi Life Endowed Chair of Actuarial Science and an Assistant Professor of Actuarial Science & Risk Management in The University of Alabama’s Department of Economics, Finance, and Legal Studies. While his professional work centers on risk and analytics, outside the classroom Kenny is an accomplished ultramarathon runner who has completed races…


Finding Wellness Outdoors in Alabama

Discover diverse activities that will keep you moving – from hiking trails to kayaking waterways, all while staying right here in Alabama and enriching your well-being.


Are You Fitter than a 5th Grader? Participants Prove What Five Weeks Can Do

sit and reach

Through the Are You Fitter Than a 5th Grader? MoveSpring challenge, participants completed a baseline fitness assessment and then spent five weeks building healthy habits through the MoveSpring challenge. The fitness test measured flexibility, strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness through a sit-and-reach, push-ups or pull-ups, sit-ups or plank hold, and either a one-mile walk/run or…


Turning Movement into Community

April Walker Hoola Hoop

Tell us a little about yourself and your role at UA.I’ve (April Walker) worked in Student Care and Well‑Being since July 2024. I’m often the first point of contact for students navigating difficult circumstances—whether they’re grieving the loss of a parent or grandparent, facing financial hardship or food insecurity, feeling overwhelmed, or simply unsure of…


The Power of Kindness at Work

At the University of Alabama Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic, supporting others is at the heart of everything they do. From helping families navigate autism evaluations to creating memorable experiences for children and caregivers, this small but mighty team is making a meaningful impact through both their work and their culture of kindness. The clinic team…


2026 Legendary Pet Contest

The 3rd annual Legendary Pet Contest recently concluded and it was a nail biter until the very end! Pets have a special way of boosting our physical health, reducing stress, and bringing people together. This year, we asked faculty and staff to share pictures of their pets and how their pets keep them active and…


Family Fun Night: Pool Edition

“What a great way to spend a summer evening with my family as part of a UA event!” – Family Fun Night attendee On Wednesday, June 17, nearly 200 UA faculty, staff, and their families came together at the Student Recreation Center Outdoor Pool Complex for an unforgettable evening of summer fun, connection, and celebration. Families…