4 Easy Wellness Initiatives to Implement At Work
Corporate wellness programs have become a staple in many companies in order to attract and retain top talent, engage employees, and help reduce healthcare costs. In fact, the Ninth Annual Employer-Sponsored Health and Well-Being Survey from NBGH and Fidelity Investments found that 92% of companies include wellbeing as part of their overall business strategy.
Many wellness programs focus on step (or walking) challenges, or even non-step based challenges, which can be fun and a great way to get employees active and engaged, sometimes constant “challenges” aren’t quite enough.
To create a well-rounded wellness program, it’s important to focus on employees’ entire wellbeing—both their physical and mental health. Taking a holistic approach may even help employees be more mindful and feel greater gratitude at work. Here are 4 simple (and inexpensive) wellness ideas to consider deploying:
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- Host yoga classes. Whether it’s during the lunch hour or late afternoon, hosting an on-site workout like yoga is easy, relatively inexpensive, and has been shown to reduce stress levels. Theme your weeks to help spread the word about these onsite yoga classes by deeming Wednesday “Workout Wednesday,” or calling Friday “Fitness Friday.” Bonus: Getting fit can help improve employee performance.
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- Encourage meditation. As humans, our minds tend to wander—it’s the default mode for the brain. But studies have shown that practicing meditation can help stabilize the mind to be present and more “in-the-moment.” Consider hosting meditation workshops, webinars, or providing discounted memberships to guided breathing and meditation apps to enhance your employees’ mental health and wellbeing.
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- Offer a “work-from-home” day. Commuting to work everyday can get tiring for anyone. An easy solution: distinguish one specific “work-from-home” day per week to give employees a change of scenery and a break from their usual commute routine. Some people suggest designating Wednesday as the “work-from-home” day since it’s in the middle of the week which can break the week up nicely, and may be less disruptive to the momentum of workflow levels. And, one study found that employees who worked remotely had a 13% increase in performance than those who didn’t.
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- Schedule walking meetings. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to get into the routine of scheduling meetings in conference rooms daily. Instead, consider taking your meetings outside to stretch those legs, get some steps in, and get a breath of fresh air. Bonus: Research shows that walking outside can boost creative thinking.
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This article is not intended to substitute for informed medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.
