When registering for 40 for You, participants were asked to “List your personal goals for this program (i.e. spiritual, physical, mental wellness).” The goals that were submitted ranged from improving one facet of wellness to wanting to “get my whole life together” which is something we all can relate to. But what do we do with these goals and how do we achieve them? Utilizing the SMART goal formula is one way and includes creating Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound goals, but there is another formula that may help better with personal goals. Check out the SUCCESS goal formula below courtesy of Psychology Today.

To help you with your goals, as well as with your personal reflections over the Lenten season, the 40 for You Journal is a great way to record your thoughts. Full printed copies are available by HR and the Kreft Student Success Center or get started with the attached interactive PDF of the Week 1 journal section. You can type your thoughts and then print or save, or print and then write your thoughts.

Mindful Mile: Although we still need to take COVID precautions and socially distance, make time for yourself and family members to get outside, walk around, and get some fresh air. Whether it’s for 5 minutes or 15, by yourself or with others, around campus or your neighborhood, a little walking goes a long way! Set your walking goal today! Week 1 – Where to start? Living a healthy lifestyle is easier said than done. We all have our own journeys; we run our own race at our own pace. Along the way, we can all use guidance to help us reach our goals. CUC’s Fitness Center can help make your transition and path as smooth as possible. Find us on the TrainHeroic app using the access code “40forYou” and we’ll take care of the fitness programming! Healthy Recipe Video Series: Join Chef Josh from Sodexo for this week’s recipe for healthy smoothies. Watch it HERE and learn how to start your day in a healthy way! And stay tuned for the next video on whole grains!

As part of Concordia’s annual Lenten wellness campaign, “40 For You”, we are again providing short, daily devotions for the entire Concordia community. This year we’ve partnered with area churches, schools, and institutions of the LCMS Northern Illinois District. Together we are in ministry, in the word, and in fellowship as we journey to the cross and anticipate the celebration of the Resurrection. You’ll find devotions written by Concordia students, faculty and staff; area pastors and educators; and lay leaders who share in the common work the Lord has entrusted to us. The devotions will be sent daily via email; they can be found on the website (CUChicago.edu/40-for-you); and printed copies will be available throughout campus by Chapel, HR, and the Kreft Student Success Center. And don’t forget – Chapel is every day at 11am. Register to attend in-person or watch the live stream!

2/16: Kick-Off - Click HERE to view the recording of the Kick-Off and learn more

about the program!

2/18: Student Debt & Savings Webinar – 10am session or 4pm session

2/23: Vitality Panel (Employees only) – 1pm – Register HERE

2/24: The Power of Purpose Webinar – 1pm – Register HERE

3/2: CUCelebrates – CUC’s Annual Day of Giving

3/3: Vocation: Four-Year Plan & Internships – 2pm – Register HERE

3/4: Vitality Biometric Screening (Employees/CHP members only)

Stay tuned for more events throughout the program!

Visit CUChicago.edu/40-for-you weekly for new content throughout the program.

Share your progress on social media! #40forYou

WEE

K 1

MIND

BODY

WATER AND THE MINDIf you are already struggling with stress, imagine how it can be amplified by a loss in your ability to reason and concentrate. Your brain consists of roughly 60 percent water. It’s pretty important stuff if we want to function at our best, physically and mentally. Fuzzy thinking can increase concern, tiredness, and negativity. Aches, pains and digestive issues will further feed a level of stress you are already trying to overcome. Additionally, taking anti-depressants or mood stabilizers isn’t about feeling happy, it’s about thinking clearly. Therefore, drinking enough water keeps our brain from having to struggle against the effects of dehydration, allowing us to think more clearly. Of all the things you can do to improve well-being, it’s one of the most effortless plans to adopt and stick with. We’re not one-dimensional, and our approach to mental health shouldn’t be, either.

WATER WELLNESSWater is extremely important to our health as it makes up over 60% of the body. Water helps to regulate body temperatures, assists with the absorption of important vitamins and minerals, aids in digestion, helps maintain healthy bowel movements, lubricates joints, helps maintain necessary blood volume, and helps the body excrete waste products. The average American adult consumes about 39 oz of water per day, while it is recommended that individuals drink at least 64 ounces daily. This week’s nutrition challenge is to increase your water intake to 64 ounces per day. Try adding fresh berries, cucumber, mint, or basil to your water for extra flavor!

WEEK 1 - WHERE TO START?Living a healthy lifestyle is easier said than done.We all have our own journeys; we run our own race at our own pace. Along the way, we can all use guidance to help us reach our goals. CUC’s Fitness Center can help make your transition and path as smooth as possible. Find us on the TrainHeroic app using the access code “40forYou” and we’ll take care of the fitness programming!

emotional wellbeingBeing emotionally well means knowing our full array of human emotions; recognizing which ones are suitable for each circumstance; and then expressing them appropriately. Equally important is striving to respect and honor the feelings and emotions of others.

physical wellbeingBecause of sin, our bodies are not perfect. Yet we continue to honor our body as a gift from God by keeping it as healthy as possible within the boundaries of disease, illness, and our imperfections. Therefore, we nourish it with healthy food and drink, keep it fit for service through regular exercise, and respect our body’s need for rest.

WEEK 1CHALLENGE

DRINK AT LEAST 64 OZ OF WATER

DAILY

LIVING WATER

SPIRITLIVING WATERIt is no surprise that the Bible is full of references to water. What you might not realize, however, is that it often contrasts fresh and living water from stale and putrid water. The point is to get us to think more deeply about what it means to have a good, fresh, living relationship with God and with one another.Here’s some water-tips for your spiritual health this week:• Read John 4:1-26. Why does Jesus talk so much about water in this passage?• Make a point to walk past the font in the chapel narthex. When you do, stick your

hand in the flowing water, make the sign of the cross and remember that you are baptized.

• If you haven’t been baptized, talk to Pastor Jeff!

THOUGHTS FROM DR. DAWN President

spotlight

When I speak with experienced leaders who know that I’m new in my role here, many of them ask if I’m making time to take care of myself. I always answer that I am, thank the Lord. Although there are many aspects of this, one that I particularly cherish is swimming. I started swimming regularly eight years ago, and I hope never to quit. It’s a vigorous, whole-body workout that helps keep me fit without aggravating my arthritis. Another benefit that I didn’t expect is stress management. Sometimes while I swim, I process the things that weigh heavily on my mind, other times I just mentally escape. Either way, swimming helps me cope with stress while also strengthening my body and burning calories. I praise God for all these blessings!

spiritual wellbeingEncompassing all other aspects of our well-being is acknowledging that our pursuit of wellness is not possible without the righteousness that is ours by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. It is only through Christ’s redeeming sacrifice for us that we seek to nurture our relationship with Him through the study of His word, prayer, devotion, and worship.

vocational wellbeingIn our calling, we carry out our daily work joyfully serving in the capacity to which He has called us; discovering and using all of the gifts with which He has endowed us; and ca-pably representing Him in the everyday experiences of our vocation. All this we do for the glory of God to help make this world a better place.

The Wholeness WheelAs sanctified children of God, we respond to what God, in Christ Jesus, has done for us through proper stewardship of all that we have been given. Among those blessings are the various components of our health as shown by the Wholeness Wheel. Our efforts to improve our personal wellness, then, are a part of our sanctified living – as in every aspect “We are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ.”(Ephesians 4:15) Until that time when we are with God face to face, we strive, with His help and guidance, to Be Well in all areas of the Wholeness Wheel so that we can best Serve Well those in our care.

PAGE 2 | 40 FOR YOU NEWSLETTER | WEEK 1