Healthy Holiday Challenge 2023

November 6- December 15

6-Week Online Lifestyle Program

Give yourself the gift of healthier habits this year with the 

Healthy Holiday Challenge. This 6-week program supports you with small, healthy steps you build on each week and maintain through the new year. This challenge includes weekly raffle prizes, grand prizes, weekly newsletters, and daily wellness postcards!

Register below for the challenge kick-off event on November 1 from 12-1pm at the Tang Center: Class of '42 for a short presentation, challenge resources, and giveaways!

NOTE: There will be NO REGISTRATION for this year's challenge!

If you receive our Wellness newsletter directly, you will automatically receive all of the Healthy Holiday Challenge newsletters and postcards.

• If you do not receive our newsletters directly and would like to join the challenge, join our email list.
• If you wish to opt out of the Healthy Holiday Challenge, please complete the opt out survey.

Diabetes Prevention Program Information Sessions

Nov. 14 | 12:15pm | Register here!

Dec. 7 | 12:15pm | Register here!

The UC Diabetes Prevention Program is a virtual campus-based small-group, one year healthy lifestyle program that uses a scientifically based approach developed by the CDC to help you make important lifestyle changes. If you think you could be at risk of prediabetes or developing type 2 diabetes, register to attend an information session to learn more about the upcoming cohort starting January 2024. 

Visit uhs.berkeley.edu/dpp or contact Cori Evans at corievans@berkeley.edu for more information. 

Yoga for Tension & Stress Relief

Friday, November 17 | 12:10-1pm

In-Person

251 Hearst Gym



Instructor: Laurie Ferris

Cardio Kickboxing

Friday, November 3 | 12:10-1pm

In-Person

251 Hearst Gym 

Instructor: Tomas Handelsman

Recipe of the Month:

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

This impressive vegetable side is easier to make than it appears! It makes a great addition to your holiday table and will impress your guests. Alternatively, you can cut the cauliflower into florets and marinate them before baking, which will reduce the cooking time. For more impressive vegetable dishes for the holidays, try this mushroom wellington and/or attend this month’s Cook Well Berkeley class.

Fall/ Winter Seasonal Vegetables

Wed, Nov 8 | 12:10-1pm

Hybrid: Zoom or Tang Center, Class of '42

Eating vegetables that are in season means they will likely taste better, be more nutritious, and cost less. Wow your guests this holiday season with impressive vegetable dishes.  Demonstration, recipes, and samples provided.

Eat Well Berkeley Restaurant - Free Speech Movement Café



The FSM Café in Moffitt Library offers soups, salads, and sandwiches made with local, sustainable, or organic ingredients when available. The café also hosts events and debates through the FSM Café Educational Program Series. FSM Café is in compliance with the UCB Food & Beverage Choices Policy.

Group Cook-Alongs

Looking for a fun way to cook and connect with your colleagues? Learn more and register here!

Computer Health Matters: Campus and Remote Work

Tue, Nov 7 | 10am-11am | In-Person (Class of '42)

Qualify for the Matching Funds Program and learn how to set up your workstation. Register here!

Ergo Mobility

Tue, Nov 14 | 10am-11am | Hybrid (Zoom and Class of '42)

Learn new ways of maintaining and improving your mobility throughout the workday. Practice some useful stretching and strengthening exercises. Register here!

To learn more about our Ergonomic Workshops, visit our workshops homepage!

Ergonomic Program Flyer

Click here to download the program flyer and learn more about resources, workshops, and services for computer and non-computer users.

Diabetes Awareness Month



Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetes affects about 37 million people in the US and though there are similarities between the types of diabetes, the causes and treatments vary. In addition, prediabetes affects more than 1 in 3 adults in the US (96 million), and 80% don’t know they have it. If left untreated or not managed, it can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and the heart, and has been linked to some types of cancer. 

Although there are a variety of known risk factors for the various types of diabetes and many are out of our control (e.g. family history, age, social determinants of health), some lifestyle factors play a role, such as physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and stress. The good news is that there are many ways UC Berkeley can help, whether you have been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes or are just interested in lowering your risk:

• Be Well at Work offers the CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Program to those at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
• Some UC Health Plans offer wellness benefits such as chronic disease management programs and health coaching. 

Our other workshops and programs can help you with setting goals, trying enjoyable types of physical activity, tasting new nutritious recipes, and even engaging in creative activities to reduce stress and enhance your overall sense of well-being. For more on Diabetes Awareness Month, check out some of the resources below!

Emotional Intelligence for the Workplace

Thu, Nov 16 | 12pm-1pm | Virtual

This workshop will examine what it means to be emotionally intelligent and how to apply key concepts to create a more successful and fulfilling work/life experience.

Register here!

Maintaining your Mental Health During the Holidays

Wed, Nov 29 | 12pm-1pm | Virtual

In this workshop, participants will learn different strategies to manage stress and challenges associated with the holiday season. Register here!

Staff Garden Volunteer Day

Thu, Oct 26, Nov 30 and Dec 14

12-1pm

Staff Garden

UC Berkeley staff, faculty, retirees, and students are welcome to help us maintain the garden. We gather once a month, generally the 4th Thursday unless otherwise specified.

Visit uhs.berkeley.edu/staff-community-garden for the more information.

Note: Volunteers days may potentially be rescheduled due to unfavorable weather or scheduling conflicts.

Faculty/Staff Flyer and Information

Fall Workshops and Programs

Click the image to open the flyer and learn about this semester's exciting offerings.

You can find more information on our workshops page.