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January brings new year resolutions for an estimated one-third of U.S. citizens, many of which focus on improved health and well-being—like exercising more, eating a healthier diet, and being happier. The personal goals people set are important and helpful in making positive changes in their lives. When individuals feel better personally, it often extends into their professional world, resulting in being more productive and content at work. This is just one of many reasons employers also want to support overall health and well-being in the workplace.
This month, we offer five simple tips that can be easily integrated into most organizations to support health and wellness in the workplace. As a complement, we offer this content that our readers in Human Resources may wish to share with their employees to promote wellness at work. (edHEALTH member-owners will find a customizable version in the portal.)
1) Promote Wellness Benefits Year Round
Employers typically share information about benefits mostly during open enrollments or when onboarding a new program. Using those communications on a year-round basis can maximize both usage and rewards. Whether in an employee newsletter or intranet post, consider reminding employees throughout the year about wellness benefits. This shows you care and genuinely want them to use the available resources.
Wellness goes beyond the nutrition program and gym discounts or reimbursements. It encompasses both the physical and mental side of well-being. Free sessions through employee assistance programs, paid time off, a health plan's website library of trusted wellness content, and apps available through health plans are all valuable in supporting health and wellness. Employees receive so much information during open enrollment that they often forget some of the value-adds. Whether you spotlight one or two each quarter or provide updates at town-hall-type meetings, your employees will appreciate the refresher about what's available.
2) Champion Hydration on Your Campus
Did you know that it's estimated that nearly 75% of Americans are dehydrated? Dehydration can actually impair one's physical and mental performance, too. Not drinking enough liquids may cause headaches, muscle and joint pain, sleepiness, and even brain fog, which will deter anyone from their full potential.
You don't need to supply the high-demand Stanley Cup to encourage drinking water at work. If you're holding a meeting over two hours, consider having water pitchers or bottles in the room. Another option is to include a note in the invitation about remembering to fill their water bottles and bring them to the meeting. If providing beverages, consider adding electrolytes-infused water or low-sugar sports drinks to the mix. Some organizations even hold water challenges to promote good hydration. Now, if you want to gift your employees a large Stanley Cup . . .
3) Support Stretching at Work
Many of our readers typically spend much of their workday sitting in their offices, conference rooms, or even cars. Prolonged sitting can cause musculoskeletal issues, according to Yale Medicine physiatrist Eric Holder, MD. He says it's one of the main causes for visiting their clinic. Being sedentary all day long may also contribute to heart disease, vascular problems, and weight issues.
Encouraging employees to stretch at their desks or go for a quick walk around or in the building, even kicking off meetings with a group stretch, is one way to help reduce the worry of staying put for too long. Another idea is to conclude a meeting by suggesting attendees take a few minutes to stretch before returning to their desks. Luckily, many trusted websites, such as webmd.com and healthline.com, offer easy-to-follow desk exercises or stretches.
4) Make Room for Mindfulness
More and more, mindfulness is becoming part of conversations focused on how to reduce stress, improve sleep, and feel better. That's because mindfulness, at its core, is to be fully present in where we are and what we're doing. While it may not be practical to institute mindfulness hours at your workplace, there are several resources readily available that you can share with your employees. Some health plans or third-party administrators offer mindfulness classes as part of their customer wellness programs. Others also have information on their websites. One of our business partners, Point32Health, has a comprehensive program with regular free virtual sessions open to the public. There are free apps featuring a wide range of mindful activities, everything from two-minute introductions to longer sessions, mood-specific meditations, and series. Insight Timer is one of the most popular apps used today.
There is significant research that demonstrates many proven clinical benefits of mindfulness. When it comes to mindfulness at work, it also can be more complicated. Here, Harvard Business Review shares their research on how it may help in the workplace.
5) Encourage Communication and Conversation
The Gallup organization has long advocated that more engaged employees have a "best friend at work." Since the pandemic, Gallup's research continues to show the need for friendships at work, even more so in a remote or hybrid work environment. Feeling isolated at work is not conducive to overcoming challenges or being productive. It also can contribute to poor mental health. Communication and conversation among employees play a key role in building and strengthening relationships in the workplace.
Employers can take simple steps to foster a sense of social belonging among employees, like departments allocating time for personal connections at certain meetings, holding an occasional lunch gathering, or participating in a volunteer day together.
Want to read more about health and well-being strategies for the workplace? Check out this article from the Harvard Business Review.
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