Do you run a company with employees working 9 to 5 under you, or are you working a job that requires you to work a job that takes up most of your day. are you concerned that you or your employees might get overworked and burnt out? This is why you should consider enrolling yourself and your employees in wellness programs.
What Is Wellness?
Wellness is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, with the goal of not just living but thriving. Wellness involves the individual's active participation in how they treat their body. This means that you become more aware of what you are eating and how physically active you are. You listen to your body and ensure that you are looking after it well. Wellness does not merely mean an absence of disease or weight management, rather, it is much more than that. It is multi-dimensional.
The physical aspect of wellness involves nourishing the body with healthy food, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.
The emotional aspect of wellness involves being empathetic with ourselves and others. To be able to accept and understand our feelings and those around us.
There is an environmental aspect where we must feel a sense of responsibility towards the environment and strive to adopt eco-friendly ways to preserve the environment for future generations
The social and spiritual aspect of wellness involves communicating and fostering healthy relationships with those around us and searching for a higher purpose in life.
All of the above combine to help individuals achieve a state of overall wellness and contentment. It allows them to be able to lead healthier and more positive lives and be an inspiration to others. They are less likely to suffer from disease and depression and are able to handle difficult situations without falling apart.
Why Do We Need Wellness Programs?
It is a difficult world to be in today. With a never-ending workload, tight deadlines, and the pressure to socialize and not miss out on everything else going on in our personal lives. Whether we are working in an office or as stay-at-home parents, wellness programs are designed to help everyone analyze their lives and work on improvement.
Wellness Programs Reduce Health Risks
Wellness programs help individuals eat healthily, reduce or quit smoking, and exercise daily. They also help them manage their stress levels better and help improve their overall physical and mental health. Those suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes and trying to quit smoking can benefit from a wellness program as they employ organized methods to help them in achieving their goals.
They Boost Morale
Wellness programs add a distraction to their day, and most of them have educational and creative activities that individuals can perform that help generate enthusiasm in their lives. Employees who are encouraged to join wellness programs feel more valued and cared for at their office by their employers who are actively supporting their health and fitness goals.
They Encourage Employees To Retain Their Jobs
Wellness programs make employees feel more relaxed, healthier, and more content. They are less likely to feel tired of their workplaces, and it reduces the chances of them quitting and looking for other jobs. Companies that prioritize their employees' health and wellness are looked upon with high regard, and most of the employees retain their jobs. Mental health is important and significantly affects overall wellness. If your workplace is concerned about your mental health, then you are in the right place.
They Increase Productivity And Reduce Absenteeism
If stress levels are well managed, fatigue is reduced, and there are lower risks of aches and pains, and this improves the overall outlook of an individual's life. They feel healthier, happier, and less in pain. This encourages them to work harder, improves their focus, and increases their overall productivity. The better you perform, the more you get a sense of achievement, and the better you feel about yourself. The more content you are in the workplace, the less likely you are to skip work. This has a positive impact on the workplace and improves its overall environment. Happier employees are essential for the image and reputation of your company or brand.
They Help Reduce Stress
Healthier individuals who feel seen and heard feel happier and more content. Lowered fatigue, improved comfort, and better focus allow you to have better social interactions, improve your relationships and perform better in the workplace. This releases serotonins and happy hormones that automatically make you feel lighter, happier, and more content. This is excellent for combating day to day stresses of life and helps you get through your week without feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders.
Wellness Programs That Can Benefit Employees At Work
There are many different types of wellness programs that employees can benefit from. here are a few examples:
Smoking Cessation Programs
Smoking employees end up costing their employers more than non-smoking ones due to health insurance. There fore it would benefit the company as well as the employees to invest in smoking cessation programs to help them quit or reduce the habit.
Fitness Centres In The Building
Fitness centers that include swimming pools, gyms, and other sports facilities are fantastic additions to a company. This saves on the commute for employees or investing in gym memberships as they can just use the facility provided by their workplace.
Yoga Or Meditation Classes
Yoga and meditation are fantastic for employees looking for ways to relax their minds or get away from the hustle and bustle of their routine. Yoga and meditation classes can help relieve anxiety, add peace and calm into their lives and help them focus and focus on breathing better and feel relaxed. Mediation and yoga are fantastic stress relievers and are highly recommended for those who have to meet tight deadlines.
Healthy Meals
Most employees feel pressured to eat fast food during their short break hours and end up eating unhealthy food. Having access to healthy meal options at work can eliminate the consumption of unhealthy meals and replace them with healthier options. They don't have to worry about bringing meals from home or worrying about ordering in at the office during work hours. Instead, they are readily available in the office, so they can easily be bought without wasting extra time.
Naps
How amazing would it be to have a designated napping place in the office during work hours? Sometimes quick power naps are just what you need to reboot yourself and feel energized. While a room dedicated to naps isn't considered a program exactly, it definitely contributes to the overall goal of achieving wellness and enhancing productivity.
How Do Wellness Programs Boost Productivity?
Most companies encourage their employees to enroll in wellness programs for many reasons. Not only does it maintain their well-being but also boosts their productivity and benefits their business in the long run. here is how wellness programs boost productivity:
Employees feel healthier
Employees feel more energetic
Employees feel cared for
Ergonomics in the workplace
Wellness includes a comfortable, safe, and pain-free environment in the workplace as well. Ergonomics plays a significant role in contributing to wellness in the workplace. Employers must not ignore the need for ergonomics in the workplace. Ergonomics is the science of creating comfort in the workplace to reduce fatigue, discomfort, and the risk of injuries. This leads to improved work quality and happier employees.
Ergonomics refers to everything from the lighting, and the workspace to the office equipment. Flexispot has fantastic options for creating the ideal ergonomic office space. You can consider a home office or your building depending on your office setup.
Ergonomic lighting is extremely important in reducing the incidence of eye strain, headaches, and postural problems. Working in dim light also makes employees lazy, drowsy, and inefficient.
Ergonomic furniture includes office chairs and desks that are designed specifically to assist and improve good posture during daily work tasks.
Ergonomic standing desks have been introduced to allow employees to take a break from sitting all day long behind desks and to elevate their workstations. This allows their bodies to rest and stretch, reducing stiffness. Prolonged sitting is not recommended and can be a host of a variety of problems.
The Final Word
Fortunately, there is growing awareness of health and wellness nowadays, and many people are taking a step back and assessing their lives to bring more quality. Without good health, you cannot enjoy life and therefore, we must strive to put out health first. Wellness does not refer to being free of disease but to an individual's overall spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. Since a majority of the population spends most of their days at the office, it is essential to incorporate wellness programs in the workplace and make them compulsory.
