Wellness matters to your health, your relationships, your career and your bottom line. It also matters to your company because wellness benefits are proven to improve employee engagement, productivity and retention.
Wellness is an ongoing process of becoming aware and making choices towards a life that is full of joy, fulfillment and meaning. It is a holistic approach that encompasses mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
1. It’s the right thing to do
Wellness is about a holistic integration of emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. A healthy person has primarily positive perspectives and values that enable them to live life fully.
Creating a culture of wellness takes time and effort. It starts with a clear vision and a team that can effectively implement the program.
Employees want to feel valued, and workplace wellness is a great way to show them that they are important. In fact, a recent survey found that employees who are highly satisfied with their wellness benefits also report high job satisfaction.
Investing in wellness programs is a smart decision for any business. It not only benefits the health of your staff, but it can help mitigate healthcare costs in the long run. It also improves employee engagement, recruiting and retention.
2. It’s the right thing to ask
Whether it’s a simple question about a snack or a comprehensive survey, asking about wellbeing can help you better understand your employees’ overall sense of health. And it can help you tailor your wellness strategy to them!
Wellbeing is a multi-dimensional concept, which experts have organized into several interconnected “dimensions.” For example, physical and mental wellness are closely related. When one is not healthy, the other may also be struggling.
This holistic approach to personal health is the basis of all wellness programs. It encourages individuals to take responsibility for their own health and well-being by making positive choices in the eight major areas of life. These include emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, financial, occupational and environmental.
3. It’s the right thing to expect
Wellness programs offer an array of health screenings, workshops, and activities that cater to the overall well-being of employees. These programs boost employee morale, reduce absenteeism, improve productivity, and help employers save money on healthcare costs.
Physical wellness includes a healthy diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes that can significantly improve your health and decrease your risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
When you’re well physically you can live longer and enjoy a healthier life. Studies show that people who practice healthy behaviors for at least two years tend to maintain their lifestyle choices for many years afterward.
4. It’s the right thing to reward
The right type of incentives can be a major motivator for improving an employee’s health and productivity. Using a point system to reward activities that encourage healthy behaviors is an effective way to go.
Incentives can range from cash to prizes or even a charitable donation. Regardless of the mechanism used, it should be easy for employees to understand how they will benefit from their participation in the program.
A wellness program should be considered a whole-person approach that encompasses all the various dimensions of physical, social and mental wellbeing. There is no single best way to achieve this goal, but it’s clear that a well-designed program has a positive effect on employees and their employers. The key is to make it a priority by involving as many people as possible and making sure they have a chance to take advantage of the benefits that are available to them.
5. It’s the right thing to avoid
If you have a cold, flu or any other infection, it may be the right thing to avoid social gatherings. These events are often filled with tempting treats that can be harmful to your health.
However, it is also the right thing to stay home and get some rest when you are sick. This will help you recover quicker and improve your chances of getting better.
Wellness is more than just physical health; it’s a holistic approach to fueling the body, engaging the mind and nurturing the spirit. It’s a lifestyle and a personalized approach to living life in a way that allows you to become the best kind of person that your potentials, circumstances and fate will allow. It involves taking responsibility for your own health and happiness and focusing on positive perspectives, values and proactive action.