Texas State University’s annual Employee Wellness Fair was held on October 22 at the San Marcos campus and October 29 at the Round Rock campus, drawing a total of 439 attendees. The events offered employees a range of health resources and wellness activities, from vaccinations to screenings, through 40+ wellness vendors across both locations. Attendees received 180 flu vaccines and 40 COVID vaccines, with 18 mammograms and 22 Catapult Health screenings completed.
Additionally, 44 attendees won door prizes, including YMCA and Crunch Fitness memberships, wellness kits, and Texas State swag.
Texas State’s Employee Wellness Fair was a chance for employees to connect, recharge, and reflect on their personal wellness journeys. Through engaging with wellness experts and hearing stories from fellow colleagues, attendees left with inspiration to carry into their daily lives. Here are some insights shared directly by participants and facilitators during the fair:
Voices from the Wellness Fair: Q&A Highlights
Marimar Miguel, Director of Student Success & Academic Services Wellness Fair Attendee
Q: How do you prioritize wellness in your life?
A: “Making sure I sleep. That’s the one thing I don’t compromise.”
Q: How do you balance work and personal wellness?
A: “Make sure that when I’m home…I’m home. And I’m home with family. If I’m cooking dinner, I’m not answering emails; I need to be present 100% of the time.”
Joclyn Martinez, Student Success Coordinator, Wellness Fair Attendee
Q: What’s one wellness practice you started recently that made a big difference?
A: “So, I just moved here. For me, a wellness practice is getting acquainted with the area. If I didn’t understand the area or the other areas around, I would just bed rot or stay home all day. On weekends, I go and explore Georgetown…, or I explore Austin, North Austin area, just so I know where I’m going. It alleviates the stress of when I am driving.”
Q: What wellness goal are you working on for yourself right now?
A: “To cook my meals more, cook things I enjoy eating and not be lazy and just pick something up. So, being more proactive and planning my meals.”
Wellness Tips and Takeaways
A common theme in the advice from attendees and facilitators was the power of small, daily choices that add up to significant health benefits. Here are some key wellness tips:
“Sleep is essential” — Rose Trevino, Well-Being Program Manager
Rose emphasized the importance of seven to eight hours of sleep each night, as it affects focus, energy, and stress management. She encouraged everyone to make sleep a priority.
“Make the healthy choice the easy choice” — Jess Youngs, Well-Being Representative
Jess recommends structuring your environment to support healthy habits, like keeping water on your desk, setting reminders to move, and having healthy snacks readily available.
Final Reflections: Building Habits, Creating Balance
The Employee Wellness Fair served as a reminder of the value of small, consistent wellness practices. Through insights from attendees and facilitators, we learned that wellness isn’t just about big goals but also about creating a supportive environment, prioritizing rest, and using the resources available to us.
By building habits like getting enough sleep, moving regularly, and taking advantage of wellness hours, employees can cultivate a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. As the community continues to plant seeds of wellness, Texas State remains committed to helping its employees grow and thrive.