Workplace Wellness For Healthier Employees
Stress can have negative effects on employees' productivity, leading some companies to implement workplace wellness programs. Whether your company offers such programs or not, working toward better health and relaxation will help you feel better and perform more productively. The American Psychological Association found that over 43 percent of workers suffer adverse effects from stress. Stress can contribute to hypertension, headaches, anxiety, depression, and obesity. Under stress, people are more likely to get less sleep, make less healthy food choices, and increase smoking.
Many people are concerned about the effects of stress on their lives. Some studies find that women are more likely to suffer from workplace stress than men, possibly because of additional home responsibilities. In addition to physical effects, stress can affect an individual's relationships with family and friends. Workplace wellness programs help individuals reduce stress in their lives and stay healthier. They may include weight loss assistance, education on good health, emotional support, and health testing. Programs such as these have helped companies retain workers and increase productivity. Studies suggest that providing incentives and time for employees to participate in wellness programs in the workplace. The more employees that participate, the less companies spend on healthcare costs and on sick days. Reducing stress in employees helps everyone including the workers and the company. Wellness programs can help educate individuals on healthier lifestyle choices from better eating to exercise programs to treating common conditions like colds and viruses. Education is important because studies show that even when people begin to make better lifestyle choices, they often fall back and continue unhealthy behavior like smoking and eating high fat foods. Many people are also not aware of their cholesterol levels and their blood pressure. Workplace wellness programs also provide extra motivation for individuals. Studies show that it helps individuals if they can learn from others who have been there before them. Individuals can be motivated and learn from those who have made healthier choices and have lost weight through a fitness program. The first of the year or spring are both ideal times to introduce a wellness program. These times include natural beginnings, turning our thoughts to changing our own lives. You might want to start with a 10,000 steps a day program, which encourages individuals to walk over 10,000 steps each day and to keep track of their steps through a pedometer. You could also sponsor a health fair, concentrating on educating your employees about healthier choices. You can inform individuals about how to get started on improving their health and perhaps provide some testing on site. Health fairs are a great way to reach out to your employees and to start an overall wellness program. Workplace wellness should be a concern for every business. With it, productivity will increase and your employees will be happier and healthier. |