“Employee wellness” is a loaded phrase. What exactly does it mean? How can your company ensure that they are incorporating it into everyday office life?
Employee wellness can be any strategy used in the workplace to promote an overall healthy lifestyle for employees. Whether it’s geared towards physical, mental, or just overall wellness, these “strategies” come in many forms.
Johnson & Johnson is considered an innovator in the world of corporate health– they have implemented their Live for Life program that provides on-site resources for employees to improve their health while at work. Google offices even provide a slide for employees to glide down when taking the stairs gets too mundane.
If you are thinking these ideas are not within reach for your company, or if you are looking for a smaller scale place to start, don’t fret. Here are some simple, easy ways to incorporate wellness into the workplace.
Replace all those unhealthy vending machine snacks
Wellness in the workplace can be as simple as replacing those fat-filled break room snacks. Opt for more health conscious choices.
Never undermine the importance of the environment
Make the workplace more… workable. Play some relaxing concentration music. Even consider asking employees what decor they would like to see in the office.
“Lunch and learns”
Lunch breaks don’t just have to be about fueling your body. Take advantage of employee’s off-time and invite health and wellness experts to come speak during these breaks periodically throughout the year.
Provide small weights and other easy-to-use devices
Sitting at a desk all day doesn’t necessarily mean you are bound to an unfit lifestyle. Try providing employees with hand-held workout tools to use at the desk.
Encourage healthy habits while working
Continue to encourage employees to get exercise while at work. Whether it’s allowing employees ten minutes to simply take a walk, or allocating an hour out of the week for a yoga session– these little changes can result in a big difference.
Allow more time during lunch breaks
Fast food restaurants are the only way to grab food and return to work in only thirty minutes. Consider allowing employees a longer lunch break to reduce employee’s need to make this unhealthy choice.
Take advantage of coupons
Consider creating a “wellness” table in the office. Place a bunch of coupons to healthy restaurants, fitness centers, or even shows around town. Coupons always give a little motivation!
Kindness counts!
Create a more positive environment in your office. A fun way to encourage employees to be kind and helpful to one another is to create a “kindness box”. Have workers write down blurbs about that one time a coworker helped them get through a stressful deadline. At the end of the month, open the box and hold a meeting to read aloud all the kind acts that got everyone through the month.
Apply a personal approach
Nothing is worse than feeling like you’re “just a number” at a company. Rather than treating your employees as such, show more interest in their physical and mental wellbeing– not just their work performance.
Employee outings
Encourage employee outings in the workplace. Going to a show together, grabbing dinner, or even simply going for a walk together will go a long way with workplace satisfaction.
Meditation– the easiest way to reduce stress
Finding ways to reduce stress in the workplace is crucial. Meditation is something that can be done easily at the desk or on breaks.
Change with the seasons
It’s no secret that winter time is a time of stress– cold weather mixed with the holidays can leave everyone feeling down. On the flip side, studies show that promoting corporate wellness is best during spring. Implement stress-relief strategies during winter, and save all those seminars and “lunch and learns” for the spring.
Design your own workplace wellness program
For an easy-to-look-at program for employees, try designing your own wellness program for your office. Here are some ways to get started on building your program.
All work, all reward!
No one wants to feel “forced” into bettering themselves. Avoid making challenges, outings, and other wellness related activities mandatory. Try offering a reward or incentive– it’s a much better strategy for getting employees involved.
Host employee health fairs
Studies show that corporate health fairs have the highest employee attendance levels over any other corporate wellness program. Check out why holding a health fair is beneficial to employee wellness.
Corporate Health Fairs Offers…
Employers – complete no-cost health and wellness events designed to engage and energize their most valuable assets… employees and executives. Custom-tailored solutions that empower employees to take a proactive role in their own wellness via direct access to our spectrum of local health development services and service providers.
Healthcare and Wellness Providers – Access to potential clients in an environment designed to foster health & wellness.
Insurance Brokers and Distributors – A unique business model that delivers a tremendous value-added benefit that offers a competitive advantage over the competition!
Call us: (407) 463-1514
Email us:
events@corporatehealthfairsorlando.com