The workplace as we know it today is often synonymous with long hours, work-related stress, and very little time for self-care. In 2021, the American Psychological Association (APA) found that nearly 60% of employees experienced negative impacts of work-related stress, with physical fatigue being reported by 44% of respondents. As the negative effects from creating a culture of busyness such as burnout become increasingly apparent, many businesses are beginning to prioritize employee well-being. Creating a Corporate Wellness program and promoting wellness at the workplace, can boost employee morale, increase productivity, and decrease turnover rates.
Business Guide to Corporate Wellness:
Prioritize Work-Life Balance
One of the most important ways to promote wellness at the workplace is to prioritize work-life balance. Encourage employees to take mindful breaks throughout the day to improve work-related stress, and consider offering flexible work arrangements, meditation classes. By promoting a culture of work-life balance, employees can more easily incorporate self-care practices like small group personal training or 1-on-1 personal training, meditation, and level up their communication skills into their daily routines.
Working Out at Work
Wellness programs like yoga classes, meditation sessions, and healthy cooking classes or meals delivered to the office weekly can be an effective way to promote wellness at the workplace. Consider partnering with local gyms or wellness studios in Cleveland, Ohio like Zero Doubt Club and offer free or discounted memberships or hosting an on-site wellness fair to provide employees with access to resources and information on how to prioritize wellness.
Provide Healthy Meal Options
Healthy eating is a crucial element of wellness, and providing healthy food options at the workplace can make it easier for employees to make healthy choices throughout the day. Consider offering healthy snacks like fresh fruit, nuts, and granola bars, and stock the break room with healthy options like salads and sandwiches.
Value Mental Wellness
Mental health is an important aspect of overall wellness, and promoting mental health at the workplace can be just as important as promoting physical health. Consider hosting mental health workshops offering access to mental health like counseling services or support groups. Encourage employees to take advantage of mental health days and offer flexible work arrangements to accommodate those struggling with mental health issues.
Encourage Movement
Physical activity is an important aspect of wellness, and encouraging movement throughout the day can help employees stay active and healthy. Incentivize your employees to move and consider offering discounts for hybrid employees such as standing desks, hosting walking meetings, or organizing group walks or runs during lunch breaks.
Promote a Culture of Wellness
Fostering a culture of wellness at the workplace is essential to promoting employee well-being. A classic study of the legal profession led by Suffolk University’s Renée Landers, for instance, shows that law firms’ tendency to promote associates who have the most billable hours leads to a rat-race mentality and causes lawyers to work too many hours and be inefficient. Encourage employees to share their wellness goals and progress with each other, and provide opportunities for employees to connect and support each other in their wellness journeys. Offering a full suite of wellness resources for employees and their families such as, a portal for employees to have access to training tools on important topics such as recognizing signs of mental health concerns, breathwork, stress management strategies, a library of fitness videos personalized to the specific employee’s needs, nutritional resources, and more. By promoting a culture of wellness versus a culture of busyness, you can create a workplace where employees feel wellness is prioritized and valued.
Reframe the Mindset
In order to make the most this business guide to Corporate Wellness, your business needs to reframe the way you think about health and productivity. Instead of focusing on how many hours an employee works in a day, month or year–which can lead to burnout and ultimately lower productivity–focus instead on the quality of their work.
In addition to taking time off for vacations and sick days (and encouraging others at work who aren’t feeling well), it’s important for Cleveland business owners like you to set aside time each week for self-care activities like eating healthy and counting their macros, exercising, or meditation. These practices will help improve overall wellness in your employees while also providing a boost in energy levels so that they are able to focus better throughout their day at work!
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