The idea of a company-wide paid week off for all employees sounds like the perfect vacation. But for most of us, it’s not an option.
Wellness week — aka a company-wide time off for employees to focus on their mental health — is now a regular practice at companies, like Spotify. But what is it, and why should you consider it?
September
Wellness week is always the third week of September, which is also Recovery Month sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It’s a time to educate and inspire people to live their best lives.
Many think of wellness as just eating healthy and exercising several times a day, but it goes beyond that. It encompasses your emotional, social, financial and intellectual wellbeing as well as your physical health.
The goal of Wellness Week is to encourage individuals to live a healthier lifestyle and help them find balance between work, play and social life. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with events and activities throughout the week that promote and celebrate these components of wellness.
Take a look at our compilation of wellness links, tools and resources below to use as you plan your September wellness focus. Whether it’s through hosting an employee health fair, presenting at a conference or publishing articles and tips in your newsletter, blogs or e-posts, we have you covered.
October
October ushers in cooler weather, spectacular foliage and spine-tingling holidays. It also is home to a number of health and wellness awareness days, as well as special events and programs designed to promote rest, well-being, mindfulness, movement and good nutrition.
Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is the first full week of October, when NAMI and its participants across the country unite to fight stigma, provide support and education and advocate for equal care. The most notable MIAW event is National Depression Screening Day, which includes a number of awareness events that include a depression screening component.
Emotional wellness is a vital component of overall health and wellbeing. Taking time for a soothing activity such as meditation or yoga is an important way to improve your emotional state. Emotional stress can impact your physical health and overall wellness by triggering negative reactions to certain food or medication, weakening your immune system, and making it harder to perform your normal daily activities.
November
Wellness week is a time when many companies promote employee self-care and take time to focus on their mental health. The week can help combat burnout and improve stress management among workers.
During this week, UAB employees will have access to a variety of events from programs like Employee Wellness, University Recreation, the Employee Assistance and Counseling Center, Student Counseling Services, and the Heersink School of Medicine Office of Wellness. These are designed to help the UAB community prioritize rest, well-being, mindfulness, movement and good nutrition.
For students, a Holistic Wellness Festival will be held on Earth Day in the campus quad. There will be a Health Care Fair, a silent auction, and several activities that encourage students to consider holistic approaches to their health and wellbeing. The event is free and open to all. It is a fun way to learn about holistic healthcare and meet with professionals who are ready to help. It is also a chance for students to connect with peers who may have similar interests and passions.
December
December is National Wellness Month, a time to promote healthy habits and manage stress. It’s also a great time to host wellness events that will keep your employees engaged and focused on healthy living.
For example, you can encourage employees to try a daily step goal challenge and complete it each day of the month. Using a virtual platform like Pacer for Teams can help you organize, launch, and manage corporate step challenges and long-term corporate fitness programs for your company.
You can also use a monthly calendar to create more meaningful wellness events. These can be centered around a specific theme, such as Gratitude Month in November or Employee Health and Fitness Month in May.
Other health observances include National Nurse Week and Teachers Month in May. These are great ways to recognize your hardworking team members and show your company cares about their health. Additionally, you can encourage your team to take a few minutes each day to appreciate the people around them.