A COMPLETE GUIDE TO

CORPORATE WELLNESS
PROGRAM
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INTRODUCTION
For far too long we have prioritized doing well over In 2018 alone, poor employee healthcare costs
being well. have contributed to about almost $ 530 billion
in losses to employers.
Thousands of years ago, our ancestors had just one
major job description. Being hunters and gatherers. Let that sink in. Seems daunting, doesn’t it?

Leaping over trees, chasing their food, tasting Wellness takes work, effort and time. Healthy
potentially fatal berries- these were just the behaviors simply don’t happen overnight.
beginning of their job description. Their daily work
involved much more. They had to be faster, keener Here we present to you an extensive corporate
and sharper with their senses or otherwise risk the wellness guide on the how’s, what’s and why’s
expenditure of- well- being the prey. of generating a healthier standard of living for
your workforce.
Compare that to our present scenario. Do you
know that doctors recommend 10,000 steps per It never is though.
day for good health? However, an average
employee walks only about 2000 steps a day In fact, you ignoring your employees' health
contributing to the ever-growing health risk. might be costing you quite a bit more than you
think.
So what do employees do in the guise of improving
better health outcomes? They regularly take a
potent mix of multivitamins and pills, while going
through a steady stream of unhealthy food and no
exercise, hoping that it will be enough.
WHAT IS A CORPORATE

WELLNESS PROGRAM
As the work culture progressed throughout human history, it came with its However, the current health scenario in most of today’s organizations
own share of advantages and perils. tends to focus more on providing the cure rather than take preventive
measures.
The inclusion of technology at work might have made things easier at
work. But this happened at the cost of lesser physical activity which is a This is where the traditional health plans took backstage in mitigating
basic requirement for a person to lead a healthy life. employee health risks and the concept of corporate wellness programs
came into the picture.
With more hours spent over the work desk and less on one’s health, an
employee now struggles to maintain healthy living for the long term. However, most of the present day’s corporate wellness programs
provided by employers mainly include paid insurance covers, subsidized
healthcare services, extended medical leaves and more.

Though these measures are noteworthy, they come into effect only after
You are probably already an employee has undergone any treatment or has succumbed to some
familiar with the golden serious health issues.
line.
Such programs don’t take into account the idea of leading a healthy life
Prevention is better than through continuous and focused efforts.
cure
This precisely became the reason why the need for a modern corporate
wellness program arose to today’s leaders and organizations.
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS A CORPORATE
WELLNESS PROGRAM?
ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY
American Psychological Association:
A corporate wellness program is an employers’ approach towards creating a
healthy workplace by incorporating various health activities within the daily 89% of workers at companies that support well-being efforts are more likely to
work schedule to promote their employees’ wellbeing. recommend their company as a good place to work.”

Furthermore, such programs help in solving various workplace health risks One size doesn’t fit all and the same implies in case of employee wellness
from consumption of unhealthy food and drinks, stress, lack of physical which varies on factors like workforce size, work environment, and work
activity and more. These measures, in particular, help in cultivating a sense of schedule.
being healthy.
Corporate wellness programs can be found in many forms across different
The importance of having a wellness program at the workplace can also be organizations. Some may provide insurance covers for their employees’ while
linked to employee retention and acquisition. others may take a step forward by installing workplace gyms.
WELLNESS IN THE WORKSPACE

Enter any office in the world and you will most likely be greeted by a familiar sight.

The modern-day work environment- with its long periods of sitting, quick takeout meals, and computer
screen eye strain- isn't constructive to either the mental or physical well-being of your employees.

Employees, in general, tend to make unhealthy choices as compared to healthier ones, simply because
they don’t have the time to do so. Picking up a doughnut for breakfast is easier than making a salad.
Several cups of coffee substitute for a bad night’s sleep. Getting some extra winks in the morning
instead of getting up and exercising.

Do you know what this particular set of lifestyle choices has resulted in a generation of workers suffering from a myriad
number of health problems?
72% of the corporate employees become prone to cardiovascular diseases, according to a recent survey. (Source: Economic Times)

The four health conditions with the highest rate of prescription drug use – high blood pressure 84%, high cholesterol 66 %, gastrointestinal disease 78% and diabetes
79%. (Source: ComPysch)

Lack of exercise is common, with 29% of employees exercising only 0-1 days per week.
 Organizations of today focus so hard and so long in facilitating good physical
health that they don’t stop to consider the implications of ignoring mental
health in the organization.

1 out of 6 people experiences some form of mental health problems in the

workplace. (Source)

It’s a problem. A huge one, at that.

But here’s the good news. There is a clear way to fix this problem.
All of these illnesses, in general, indicate poor physical And the answer is “you”.
health among employees.
You play an (if not the most) active role in encouraging employees to make
But there is a larger concern at hand. healthier choices and in creating a health-centric culture. But it’s not as easy as
simply hanging motivational posters and providing healthy snacks in the
Amidst the urgency to reach our peak physical health, very often we overlook breakroom.
another important aspect for overall wellness i.e. Mental health.
Encouraging wellness among employees goes far beyond these very basic steps.
Very often a clear distinction is made between the “mind” and the “body”. And
that’s where we start to make poor decisions. No pressure, right?

Having a “healthy mind” and “healthy body” shouldn't be considered as two In this guide, we will go through the ways through which you can encourage
separate entities. healthy living in the workplace.
It’s not an apples to oranges situation. You don't have to choose one above the
other. So sit down, relax and scroll!
IMPORTANCE OF A

WORKPLACE WELLNESS Still skeptical about the importance of a workplace wellness

program? Here are some statistics supporting why you need
to invest in a corporate wellness program:
PROGRAM Research has demonstrated that workplace health initiatives can help reduce sick
leave absenteeism by 27% and health-care costs for companies by 26%.
(Source: WHO)

61% of employees agree that they’ve made healthier lifestyle choices because of
their company’s wellness program. (Source: Aflac)
With a tight budget and limited resources, a corporate wellness program might
seem inconceivable at the moment for you. 38% of wellness program participants said it helped them take fewer sick days.
(Source: HealthMine)
But here’s the reality. Investing in a corporate wellness program may prove better
for your company in the long run. 91% of workers at companies that support well-being efforts say they feel motivated
to do their best. (Source: American Psychological Association)
Researchers from Harvard published an extensive summary from 22 different
studies over the course of 3 years and here’s what they found. The main goals of company wellness programs are reducing health costs 60%,
investing in culture 43% , and improving employee experience and satisfaction 37%.
“For every $1 that was spent on a wellness program, the company saved $3.27 (Sorce: AJG)
because of reduced healthcare costs.”
74% of employers view well-being as important to employees and a useful tool for
It’s not surprising to see the value of building a culture around healthy living. recruiting and retaining staff. (Source: Xerox)
The employee benefits-both tangible and intangible- that an effective corporate wellness program brings to the
table is immense.

WORK-RELATED ILLNESSES LESS STRESS HIGHER MORALE

When an employee is in good health it shows through Stress among employees goes down considerably Healthier employees tend to be more positive,
reduced stress, increased strength, and better when they are in a healthy state. outgoing and enthusiastic thus making the morale
immunity. in the workplace go up.

INSURANCE COSTS LOWER TURNOVER COSTS

When employees get sick less often it qualify for lower 88% of surveyed employees claim access to wellness
health insurance rates thus resulting in substantial programs weigh heavily in the decision to join and
savings to employees and companies alike. remain at a company.

LOWER LEVELS OF ABSENTEEISM INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

Absenteeism is reduced by 27% for those exercising and Wellbeing, in general, improves focus and productivity
eating healthy regularly. among employees.

By investing in a corporate wellness program, employers are in a unique position to drive employee engagement and
create healthier, happier and more productive workforces.
THE SEVEN WAYS TO WELLNESS

Wellness /ˈwɛlnəs/noun: The state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal.

Now that we’ve covered the what’s and why’s of having a corporate wellness program, it’s time to get
introduced to the “hows”.

Wellness is not just a program to be implemented. Wellness is in itself a way of living.

In hindsight, most of the traditional corporate wellness programs only recognize the physical component of
health.

While this certainly is better than nothing, employers that only emphasize physical health are missing out on a
significant opportunity to positively impact their employees’ overall well-being.

Thankfully, bosses of today know how important is to approach wellness as being multifaceted.
If we consider wellness as the result of doing “something”, that something consists of seven general aspects.

DRINKING RUNNING
Even mild dehydration can greatly decrease energy levels thus Increased indulgence in regular cardio such as frequent jogging
leading to major reductions in cognitive brain performance helps to increase the blood and oxygen flow throughout the
and memory. body. It shows a visibly increased heart muscle rate and
improved cholesterol rate.

E AT I N G YOGA
You are what you eat. Partaking in healthy nutritious diet acts Yoga uses physical postures, breathing exercises, and
as medicine to maintain, prevent, and treat disease. meditation to improve overall health.

M E D I TAT I O N STRENGTH
Helps to elevate positive mood and outlook, self-discipline, Strength gives you better agility and heightened stamina
healthy sleep patterns and even increased pain tolerance. levels increasing your endurance capacity.

SLEEP
Healthy sleep can help your body better regulate blood sugar
levels, keep your immune system functioning properly and
even improve your heart health by decreasing stress.

IN A NUTSHELL D r i n k i n g + R u n n i n g + E a t i n g + Yo g a + M e d i t a t i o n + S t r e n g t h + S l e e p = O v e r a l l We l l n e s s
 B E N E F I T S O F D R I N K I N G WAT E R

INCREASED BRAIN POWER

The crucial benefit of drinking more water is that it enhances brain power.
1 DRINKING Since our brain is made of 73% water, drinking water helps one to think,
focus, concentrate and stay alert. As a result, your energy levels will also
improve.

BOOSTS IMMUNITY
A water guzzler is less likely to get sick. And who wouldn’t rather feel healthy
the majority of the time? Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu,
cancer and other ailments like heart attacks.
Think of water as a nutrient your body needs that is present in liquids,
plain water, and foods. All of these are essential daily to replace the
PROMOTES HEALTHY WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
large amounts of water lost each day. Water aides in the removal of fat by-products and also helps you feel more
full. Not only does this act as a natural appetite suppressant, but it can also
- J O A N KO E L E M AY - improve your metabolism. Also, you're less likely to gain weight when you
drink a couple of glasses of water before a meal rather than eating the
basket of bread.

Around 60% of a human body is made up of water.

FLUSHES OUT TOXINS
Gets rid of waste through sweat and urination which reduces the risk of
kidney stones and UTI’s.
According to a new survey by Quench, more than three-quarters 77% of employees did
not think they consumed enough water on a daily basis to meet their health needs. PREVENTS CRAMPS & SPRAINS
Proper hydration helps keep joints lubricated and muscles more elastic so
joint pain is less likely.
HOW YOU CAN ENCOURAGE IT

ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY COMMUNICATE

Given concerns raised by employees about not having enough time to get Create engaging communications campaigns that encourage employees
water during the day, review floor plans to ensure that water sources are to get up, walk around and get a glass of water throughout the day, and
only a short distance from workspaces. promote a healthy workplace culture.

ENSURE QUALITY AND TASTE CREATE A TREND

Provide fresh, filtered, great-tasting water that doesn’t run out. Installing Make hydration a habit and lead by example. In general, humans are more
water coolers, large plastic jugs and individual water bottles within easy inclined to do a particular thing when they see others doing it too. Keep
reach. advocating the benefits of drinking water and guzzle down some regularly.
You can enlist the help of some fitness savvy employees to encourage
their peers to stay hydrated.
2 RUNNING

The real purpose of running isn't to win a race. It's to test the limits of
the human heart.

-BILL BOWERMAN-
Track, Field Coach and Co-Founder of Nike Inc.

According to various studies, running for just 30 minutes 5 times a week helps in mitigating
obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, depression, stabilize blood pressure and keep a check on
more such unwanted health conditions.
BENEFITS OF RUNNING

R U N N I N G H A S M U LT I P L E H E A LT H
BENEFITS LIKE

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT MUSCLE AND BONE STRENGTH

Today’s sedentary work culture is highly responsible for the growing As we age our muscle and bone strength decreases. Employees too fall prey
numbers of employees falling prey to obesity and excess belly fat. It’s a to this since most of the modern day work involves sitting at a desk all day
proven fact that running helps to reduce unwanted body fat. Every 5 minute without much physical activity. However, taking up running as a habit can
run at a pace of 10-min/mile burns about 45 calories. The same carried out reduce this risk and help retain both muscle and bone strength for a long
for 30 minutes daily can help them stay in the perfect shape. This will time.
eventually make them feel good and happy about themselves.
STRESS RELIEVER
IMPROVES CARDIO HEALTH Running gives one an ample amount of me time which is necessary in order
to rejuvenate themselves. Moreover, the feeling of being healthier than your
Nothing can beat a person having a healthy heart. Running directly impacts sedentary counterparts also plays a big role to mitigate stress. Also, running
the heart making it more active burning the unnecessary amount of calories. releases a lot of “feel-good hormone” known as endorphins within the body
Also, it makes the arteries expand and contract as much as thrice the to reduce the feeling of pain. The same hormone is also responsible for
amount as compared to a person sitting idle keeping the blood pressure low. slowing down the aging process, boost the immune system and give relief
Thus, mitigating the risk of various heart-related diseases. from stress and anxiety.
HOW CAN YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR EMPLOYEES TO EMBRACE RUNNING

ORGANIZE IN-HOUSE HEALTH RUN AND MARATHONS CONVEY THE BENEFITS

Organizing workplace health runs and a marathon is one feasible way to No one will embrace any habit or work for a cause until they know about its
introduce running to your employees. This also helps to ignite the inner benefits. Similarly, convey the benefits of taking up running as part of their
sportsmanship within the employees. Thus, boosting their morale which daily routine to the employees’. Once they realize the good side of this
reflects back as increased productivity. there’s no looking back from then.

INCENTIVIZE THEIR EFFORTS

Rewarding your employees’ for embracing the path towards a healthy life
will motivate them to stay on track for a long time. Furthermore, it’ll also
improve their image towards their employers who are ready to go to the
extent in order to ensure their good health.
 BENEFITS OF HEALTHY EATING

3 EATING ENHANCED IMMUNITY

A nutritious meal is the most important key towards achieving better

immunity against many chronic diseases. Meals complimented with
vegetables are great sources of dietary fibers and multivitamins.

Let Food Be Thy Medicine, Thy Medicine Shall Be Thy Food

IMPROVED METABOLISM
- H I P P O C R AT E S -
Protein-rich meals help in improving the body’s metabolism rate. This also
directly impacts one’s effort in losing weight positively while retaining
energy for day to day work.

As the saying goes, ”We are what we eat.” eating healthy is the foremost precaution one
can take for various health-related issues which may arise at any point in time. However, BETTER MOOD
maintaining a healthy diet could be quite challenging. Especially, for the employees
working under a tight schedule having a nutritious meal is more like a dream in today’s
date. Good Food is Good Mood.
Enjoying healthy meals can spike up a person’s daily energy level making
According to the WHO, 80% of heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes cases could be them feel good. Light meals without much carbs and fats grant a person
prevented by adopting a healthy diet. more flexibility.
HOW CAN YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR EMPLOYEES TO EMBRACE HEALTHY EATING

THE OPTION OF HEALTHY SNACKS IN THE KITCHEN SUBSIDIZED HEALTH FOODS

One of the best ways to instill the habit of healthy diet within your Subsidizing health food items would lure the employees to go for them
employees would be to give them an option of nutritious snacks. This will instead of regular junk meals. It’ll also develop a positive image of you as an
allow the employees to choose and taste a variety of healthy food items. employer taking up measures to ensure that your employees are healthy.

ENCOURAGING HEALTHY POTLUCKS

Potlucks are a very effective way of improving workplace camaraderie. The

same can be again effectively used to implement healthy food habits
amongst the employees. Here, instead of bringing fatty and junk meals, you
can encourage employees to bring healthy food. Organizing such potlucks
will also impact the food choices your employees make.
4 YOGA

If you think of yoga as simply being “some form of eastern

exercise”, you couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Derived from the Sanskrit word “Yuji,” meaning union, yoga is an ancient practice that brings together mind and
body.

Patanjali, author of the classic yoga text, the Yoga Sutra, defined yoga as the quieting of the fluctuations of the
mind.

“The purpose of yoga is to build strength, awareness, and harmony in both the mind and body,” explains Natalie
Nevins, DO, a board-certified osteopathic family physician and certified Kundalini Yoga instructor in Hollywood,
California.

As more and more people discover the benefits of yoga, the 3,000-year-old practice is increasingly finding its way
into the workplace. In fact, the demand for corporate yoga has created whole squadrons of yoga teachers who
specialize in office settings.

Yoga has a long list of scientifically proven benefits, including reduced muscle pain, stress, anxiety, improved quality
of life, fitness, flexibility, and strength.

With all the benefits of yoga for office workers, yoga can be a crucial component of your workplace wellness
program.
BENEFITS OF YOGA

REDUCED BACK PAIN LESS ABSENTEEISM

One of the main reasons many people take up yoga is back pain, which is Yoga at the workplace has been shown to reduce absenteeism from
one of the most common workplace complaints about people with desk sickness or other physical problems, to boost company morale and
jobs. improve communication skills among employees. In addition, employees
A 2012 British study published in the journal Occupational Medicine who took lunchtime yoga classes at two office sites in California reported a
proved the point with an eight-week study that drew participants from a steep decline in stress and muscular pain.
government office. It essentially divided the participants into two groups.
One group was encouraged to do yoga for a week and the other group
was allowed to continue their usual lifestyle.
The story proved that the yoga group reported significantly less back pain
and lower stress, as well as greater self-assurance, serenity, and
concentration. By comparison, the group which didn’t partake in yoga
reported more hostility, sadness, stress and back pain.

LOWER BURNOUT RATES

A 2015 study published in Workplace Health and Safety found that nurses
who performed a weekly yoga session for eight weeks experienced
enormous reductions in warning signs for burnout. Among the benefits
were- higher levels of self-care, less emotional exhaustion, and an
increased empathy when in their contact with patients.
HOW YOU CAN ENCOURAGE IT

To the newcomer, yoga can be a bit intimidating. If you’re considering building EDUCATE EMPLOYEES ON THE BENEFITS OF YOGA
a corporate yoga practice as part of your wellness program, use these
strategies to make sure the offering is accessible, fun, and adaptable to your
employees’ lives outside the workplace. Communicate all the layers of advantages like achieving better posture while
sitting at a desk, gaining better focus, or using breathing techniques to manage
stress.
CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT

As with any wellness program, don’t ignore the fact that it’s happening in the
MAKE OFFICE YOGA ACCESSIBLE
workplace. Make sure your marketing efforts eliminate stereotypes of yoga by
describing a variety of classes that are practical for a workplace setting. For Throw out any notions that your workplace yoga initiatives must mirror a typical
example, some sessions should be short, and employees should be able to do boutique studio setting. Yoga doesn’t even have to be on the mat. Yoga can
those classes in work clothes. simply be instructions on taking deep breaths after sitting in a long meeting.

REMOVE PREREQUISITES GAMIFICATION

To help employees become more comfortable with yoga in the workplace, Another option is to gamify the initial experience by encouraging managers to
emphasizing that they don’t need any special skills. Athleticism, strength, engage their teams in a competition to get people in the door. The fun helps
flexibility, and meditation experience aren’t required for workplace yoga. Those lessen the intimidation. Once people start showing interest in participating,
are just some of the side benefits that one may receive along the way. instructors can bring more awareness about what yoga really is.
5 MEDITATION

The goal of meditation is not to get rid of thoughts or emotions. The goal is
to become more aware of your thoughts and emotions and learn how to
move through them without getting stuck.

- D R . P. G O L D I N -

Brilliant things tend to happen when you have a calm mind.

These days, when it comes to the modern workplace, focus has become a scarce commodity.
From relentless emails, office gossip, non-stop client meetings to an endless cycle of viral
videos on your newsfeed, there’s no shortage of things to steal your attention besides actual
work.

Thus to actually find some peace of mind amongst this constant draw of distractions has
almost become an impossible criterion to achieve.

Aside from reduced stress and improved productivity, there are many other benefits that come
from a corporate meditation program. A regular meditation practice helps to open creative
doorways in the brain.

With increased focus, problem-solving skills get more creative and new ideas enter the mind
more freely. Many people believe that Steve Jobs was so successful in coming up with new and
innovative ideas for Apple thanks to regular meditation practice.
 BENEFITS OF MEDITATION HOW YOU CAN ENCOURAGE IT

IMPROVED FOCUS ENCOURAGE STAFF TO USE SHORT MINDFUL

EXERCISES AT WORK
Practicing mindfulness and meditation has been shown repeatedly to improve
our ability to sustain attention and decrease external and internal distractions.
Get staff members to kick-start their day with the right mental attitude. After a
Researchers from Harvard Medical School found that a meditation program led
long commute in traffic or a restless night with sick children, starting the day
to changes in brain regions involving learning and working memory capacity.
off with a mindful exercise can reinvigorate and re-energize employees to face
the challenges ahead. A great way to do this is with a breathing exercise. It
IMPROVED MOOD takes just 10 minutes and involves closing your eyes, sitting upright and
relaxing. This simple exercise can help staff members to start off the day with
the right mental attitude. They will be more focused and able to concentrate
The consistent practice of mindfulness meditation can also have a notable
on the job at hand.
beneficial impact on our overall mood, including reducing severe depression
and anxiety. A study from Boston University has shown that mindfulness and
meditation-based programs lead to significant reductions in clinical levels of INTRODUCE A QUIET SPACE
anxiety and depression across a range of conditions and an increase in
patience and positivity. A daily practice can help to carry this optimism into the
Not all employees will be into meditation though and the quiet space can be
workplace and boost satisfaction.
utilized by them for some time out, providing an opportunity to refocus
without the distraction of emails, phones or office chatter. Some businesses
MEDITATION = LESS STRESS have found it helpful to include in the room photos or images from nature
which have a calming influence, along with classical or special relaxation
music.
Stress has been linked to a wide range of medical problems, including
hypertension, heart disease, substance abuse, anxiety, and depression. A study
done at Stanford University School of Medicine shows that those who practice
mindfulness meditation display a reduction in stress-related symptoms, and
report increases in their sense of control in their lives. For instance,
mindfulness meditation can produce a 30% reduction in symptoms of stress
among those with a serious illness.
 BENEFITS OF PROPER SLEEP

BETTER BRAIN FUNCTION

6 SLEEP Sleeping is directly linked to our brain function. Just like our body, the brain requires
rest too. A perfect sleep ensures normal brain functioning. It mitigates the risk of
various mental illnesses arising due to improper sleep schedule or lack of sleep.

LOWER STRESS LEVEL

“Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our Nothing can be a much better remedy for stress rather than a good sleep.
bodies together.” Maintaining a good sleeping pattern can help lower down the stress level. This again
has a positive impact on the cardiovascular health of an individual reducing the
-THOMAS DEKKER- chances of chronic heart diseases.

MUSCLE REPAIR
We may be resting while we sleep but our body is actively involved in repairing
Sleep is one of the major parts of the puzzle for a healthy life. Proper sleep
damaged tissues and cells during this time. Cells produce a high amount of protein
ensures better concentration, stress relief, improves immune function and tissue
molecules which are the important blocks for muscle repair during sleep.
rebuild time. However, hectic work schedules often disrupt an employees’
normal sleep cycle.
MAKES ONE MORE ATTENTIVE
These poor sleeping cycles are responsible for various physical and mental health A perfect sleep adds fuel to our body by re-energizing it for the next day. Repeating
issues such as depression and anxiety. As well as, it also leads towards stress the same tasks actively every day can ensure a good sleep every night. Thus, making
giving rise to stroke and other heart diseases. one feel fresh and energetic each and every day.
HOW TO ENCOURAGE ONE FOR A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP

IMPLEMENT“NO-WORK AT HOME” POLICY PROVIDE FREE COUNSELLING TO DEAL WITH SLEEP

DEPRIVATION AND STRESS
Employees bearing excess workload often take their incomplete work at their
dinner table or bed at home. This disrupts their normal sleep schedule Sleep deprivation is something that can cause a lot of chaos within a person
hampering their overall health. As an employer in order to keep a check on which he/she may not able to convey. The causes of sleep deprivation may be
this, you can implement “No-Work at Home Policy. This will allow your many and finding out the root of it is the only way to heal it. One of the ways
employees to re-energize themselves for the next day after a good sleep. to help your employees deal with sleep deprivation is to provide them with
free counseling. Thus, making sure they get the best remedy to get their sleep
cycle back on track.
DISCOURAGE CONSUMPTION OF EXCESS CAFFEINE

Drinking excess coffee during work hours at the office can sometimes lead to
sleep deprivation at night. This is because caffeine blocks adenosine a
substance in our body that induces sleep. Encouraging employees to avoid
coffee in the late afternoon or evening will help them maintain their normal
body clock.
7 STRENGTH

Training gives us an outlet for suppressed energies created by stress and thus tones the
spirit just as exercise conditions the body.

- A R N OL D S C H WA R Z E N EG G ER -

Strength, the basic physiological trait that enables us to push ourselves and achieve maximum
endurance capability is our daily life.

We all need strength to survive and thrive. The more strength we have the more agile and competent
we are. And going with this fact, strength training is very essential for keeping our muscle mass and
skeletal health intact which tend to degrade with our age. Another reason for the strength degradation
is the sedentary lifestyle which is highly observed amongst the modern day workforce. The lack of
physical movement complemented by the inadequate time for exercise is one of the major reasons
behind many employee health issues.
 BENEFITS OF STRENGTH TRAINING HOW YOU CAN ENCOURAGE IT

ENSURE STRONG AND LASTING SKELETAL HEALTH ENCOURAGE “WALK BREAKS” BETWEEN WORK

Engaging in strength training stresses the bones and helps to increase bone Physiological health issues arise mostly due to the lack of body movement. And
density. Thereby, mitigating the risks of health problems like osteoporosis. And today’s workforce is the worst hit because of this due to the sedentary way of
moreover it also increases the stamina level of the individual. work. As a responsible employer, you can mitigate this issue to a certain extent by
encouraging your employees to “get up and move for good”. Encouraging your
employees to take short walks in between their work helps them deal with their
MITIGATES THE RISK OF VARIOUS CHRONIC DISEASE fatigue. But it also allows their bodies to stretch the vital muscles and ensure
smooth motor functions.
Strength training plays a crucial role in mitigating the risk of many chronic
illnesses. By keeping a check on the various motor functions within the body and PROVIDING IN-HOUSE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
facilitating smooth blood flow throughout the body. It helps in bringing down
the risks associated with diseases like stroke, backache, diabetes, arthritis and Most of the workplaces now provide their employees with in-house health care
many more. facilities like yoga rooms, gyms etc. Such arrangements made from the employers
end is a good way to lure employees to adopt a healthier lifestyle in between
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT their busy schedule.
Also, another option that is feasible here is to provide your employees with
sponsored or subsidised gym memberships.
Unbalanced body weight is one of the prime reasons behind many chronic
Everything is now available within the reach of our fingertips and this goes same
illnesses. Strength training on the other hand helps in burning more calories and
for our health as well. Using a corporate wellness application like that of Vantage
cut down the excess weight by increasing the rate of metabolism.
Fit allows the employers to run multiple health challenges over a period of time.
Moreover, it also let the employers incentivize the employees who are able to
achieve their health goals at the end of every challenge.
This way it benefits both the employee and employers. Employers are able to
track their employees health progress over the time. And incentivization
motivates the employees to take up challenges, engage in a healthy competition
and complete challenges to earn rewards.
HOW TO ENCOURAGE
WORKPLACE WELLNESS

U S I N G C O R P O R AT E W E L L N E S S A P P L I C AT I O N

Everything is now available within the reach of our fingertips and this goes same for our health as
well. Using a corporate wellness application like that of Vantage Fit allows the employers to run
multiple health challenges over a period of time. Moreover, it also let the employers incentivize the
employees who are able to achieve their health goals at the end of every challenge.

This way it benefits both the employee and employers. Employers are able to track their employees
health progress over the time. And incentivization motivates the employees to take up challenges,
engage in a healthy competition and complete challenges to earn rewards.
 H E A LT H A R T I C L E S A N D N E W S L E T T E R S
According to UnitedHealth, nearly 75% of workers are interested in
having a workplace wellness program and 59% of those who have one
credited it with helping them live healthier lives. Awareness is the greatest agent for change.

Starting off health campaigns in the organization takes a lot of effort

in the beginning. And for the most, the main challenge here is
H E A LT H A M B A S S A D O R motivating the employees to take a closer look at their health.
However, sending health articles and daily newsletters as a part of
You will always find someone at your workplace who is both health your workplace health promotion activities can help you spread
conscious and an inspiration to his/her peers. Such employees’ can act awareness about the costs and deficiencies of an unhealthy lifestyle.
as a role model for all the others and encourage them towards leading
a healthy life. You can assign them the title of “Health Ambassador”
and let them be the face of good health in the organization.

GYM MEMBERSHIPS
Building an in-house gym can be a costly affair, keeping in mind the
cost of maintenance and hiring a professional to take sessions.
However, you can opt for partnering up with a nearby gym for
providing your employees’ with subsidized memberships.
 H E A LT H Y O F F I C E E Q U I P M E N T

According to obesity researcher James Levine, “chairs are lethal.” During his
several decades of study, he found that prolonged periods of sitting slow down
your metabolism and promote fat accumulation. By simply standing up
intermittently while you work, you’ll instantly decrease your risk of obesity.
Active workstations will improve, while also keeping them in shape.
H E A LT H Y S N A C K S Invest in office equipment that encourages movement. Standing, stationary
bike and treadmill desks don't always burn as many calories as some would
have you believe, but they do encourage workers to walk around the office
When it comes to in-office perks, a lot of companies assume it's the big, splashy more than if they were constantly sitting and can increase productivity for tasks
amenities that matter most. But studies suggest that there's a much more that don't require a lot of fine motor skills.
manageable prerequisite. A more feasible and relatively cheaper option is to invest in standing desks.
In fact, it's so simple that it's easy to overlook: healthy office snacks.

First, there's the fact that what your employees eat directly affects their
TIME OFF FOR EXERCISE
performance. According to Harvard Business Review, "Food has a direct impact
on our cognitive performance”. No matter how "healthy" your office workstations are, it will never come close
to the beneficial effects of exercise.
A bad decision at the vending machine can derail a day's worth of productivity. To give your employees the full effect of exercise, allow them to take an hour off
Healthier snack options like options provide sustained energy for high every day as Cliff Bar's does. Even 30 minutes of exercise a day will rejuvenate
performance throughout the day. your employees and they will come back refreshed, healthier, and more
focused.
Also, consider that snacks impact one's overall diet (and, therefore, overall One study which followed a company- that reduced work hours to allow for
health) more than any other meal category. A study of more than 200 adults in exercise- found that productivity remained at the same level or higher than
a worksite wellness program found that snacking choices at work affected both those with longer work hours and no exercise, so there was no loss in work
the quality of one's diet and general health categories, like BMI. The healthier ethic. Also, the employees’ who exercised felt better about themselves and
the snacking choices, the better the participants' overall diet and health. found themselves to be more productive and ill less often.
 I N - H O U S E L I B R A R Y A N D C O U R S E WA R E S

Maintaining workplace wellness is not only confined to making sure the

employees are physically well. An employee has to bear a lot of mental stress as
well in their day to day work life. Therefore, it becomes important to address
issues relating to employees mental wellbeing. Having an in-house library is one
of the ways to help out your employees here. Reading a good book has its own
positive impact on a person’s brain. Similarly, encourage reading amongst your
employees during their free time. Also, you can facilitate your employees with
SET REMINDERS various in-house courses to learn from. This will help them to let go of their
mental stress at the workplace. Moreover, it also helps them to expand their
A small study conducted to test the effects on employees of a 30-minutes long knowledge, vocabulary and improve memory retention.
morning exercise routine vs five-minute walks throughout the day. It found out
that both types of exercise worked to improve energy levels but the five-minute
walks showed some additional benefits. Participants who completed these
micro-exercise sessions reported improved moods, decreased levels of fatigue,
M O N D AY M E D I TAT I O N
and reduced food cravings.
Encourage your employees to get up and move around for five minutes every Perhaps the most feasible way to bring workplace wellness.
hour. Remind them to eat healthily and reach for that water bottle every once Everyone hates Mondays and your employees are no different. However, to
in a while. help them get on the right track you can organize meditation sessions at the
In this process, it is unthinkable to go up to each employee and coax them to beginning of every week. Meditation helps bring tranquillity to one’s thoughts.
do something for themselves. Getting the employees to start of their week at work with a great round of
What you can do is to set up some form of online reminders like using a meditation will help them stay focused. Moreover, meditation comes with its
corporate health app or set up posters in and around the office to motivate own set of benefits. It helps control anxiety, brings self-awareness, stabilizes
your employees. blood pressure, boosts one’s attentiveness and more.
S M O K E C E S S AT I O N C A M PA I G N PA C E U P W I T H T H E S E N I O R

Smoking has become a very common habit among professionals Every change in the workplace should begin from the top level. Employees
around the world. And the most obvious reason cited by many for most of the times look up to their seniors for motivation. Embracing workplace
this is the ever-growing work stress. Since it is a known fact, how wellness ideologies for a healthy work environment should also begin at the
smoking causes various chronic heart and lung diseases. It has top level. Motivating the employees by challenging them to pace up with their
become very important to curb this. seniors will give rise to a healthy competition. This will lead to the effective
implementation of various workplace wellness ideas put in place. Moreover, it
Implementing a smoke cessation campaign at the workplace, also lets the employees know their top peers and understand their thoughts.
however, can help mitigate this issue to a certain extent if not the Hence, helping employees learn more and excel in their career.
whole. Through the campaign, you can reach out to the employees
with ways to recede smoking, incentivize their efforts to quit
smoking, declaring “no-smoking” zones in and around the workplace. GAMES AND OT HE R AC TIVITIES
Giving up on the habit of smoking will help employees achieve better
stamina as well as reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic
Encouraging games both indoor and outdoor can be a great addition to your
diseases.
workplace wellness. Where indoor games like chess and checkers can relieve
employees of mental stress. Having a space for soccer and other sports will let
employees test their physical endurance. Also, you can opt for many other
WORK BREAKS activities like taking in-house courses, cooking classes, dance studios etc.

Working for longer hours at a go has adverse effects on an

employees’ body. These include backaches, headaches, muscle LET IT BE GREEN
cramps, and eye strains. As such, encouraging employees to take
small breaks at regular intervals between the work becomes very
A clean and green campus really helps to create a cool and calm environment.
important. Such breaks help employees to get rid of the stress that
Plants filter out the unnecessary gases. It positively impacts employees’
accumulated during the work. Also, using these small breaks for
productivity by giving them a feeling of freshness. Small plants around office
drinking water and stretching vital body parts helps them rehydrate
spaces also help to create a healthy work environment. It also makes the office
and keep the normal blood circulation intact. Thus, making the
landscape look good and vibrant.
employee feel rejuvenated.
MAJOR COMPANIES USING
CORPORATE WELLNESS PLANS
It’s hard to balance work and wellness. At some companies, though, it’s a little easier, thanks to the
awesome workplace wellness programs they offer.

Organic lunches, gym memberships, 24/7 access to a physician, in-office massages, yoga classes and much
more. It’s all about wellness in today’s work world.
HERE ARE SOME COMPANIES WHO RANK WELLNESS ALONGSIDE SUCCESS AND
WHO ARE INVESTING IN BENEFITS THAT SCREAM WORK-LIFE BALANCE.

 Apple’s being a humongous corporation boasts with its 100,000 square-foot  Microsoft designed the Living Well Health Center and Pharmacy to offer
wellness center. It’s Cupertino facility has a wellness center where the employees convenient access to high-quality, comprehensive care. Whether
waiting time is reportedly just 5 minutes. Here all the Apple employees can employees need to visit the doctor, fill a prescription, or get nutrition
avail services from health to dental care. counseling, they can access these services and more, right on the Redmond,
Washington campus.
 A green campus itself creates an environment of wellness all around it.
Committed to its stand on conserving the environment, Apple has planted  Microsoft not only offers generous paid parental leave to its employees, but
almost 9000 trees in and around its campus. The trees planted are all they also require that Microsoft suppliers offer their employees paid
drought tolerant. parental leave for a minimum of 12 weeks, up to $1,000 per week.

 Apple’s revived Parental Leave Scheme now allows its employees to take  Employees are encouraged to look after their wellness with a full health
more weeks off. An employee can take a 4 week off before delivery and up package that includes physician house calls, paid gym memberships, and on-
to 14 weeks post delivery. Non-birth parents can also avail parental leaves campus perks that include a spa and sports fields.
for as much as 6 weeks.
 Draper introduced its employee wellness program back in the year  Google is very well known amongst the millennials for its workplace
2006 with the inclusion of an on-site health clinic. It also partnered health and wellness programs. The credit of all of this goes to their on-site
with the Henry County Memorial Hospital to provide their gyms and various other wellness facilities. Its unique employee wellness
employees with healthcare services. Moreover, the in-house program makes sure everything from the nutritious meal to healthcare is
healthcare services are also extended to an employees’ family for a within easy reach of all the employees.
minimal co-pay.
 Keeping in mind the need to keep an employee's’ social life intact. The IT
 Draper achieved its goal of smoke cessation within its employees by giant allows its employees to take paid voluntary leaves. This is again
educating them about the adverse effects and providing them with complimented by the company’s will to match the donations made by its
free medication. employees.

 The company has put in place various fun activities to drive their  The company also takes care of its employees' desire to learn and excel in
employees towards wellness. With programs like “Dump your their profession. Googlers can avail various courses like guitar,
Plump” and “Walk to Hawaii” the company also incentivizes its professional development, languages, singing within the campus. It also
employees' efforts for embracing a healthy lifestyle with gifts and allows the employees to pursue higher education and resume their jobs
paid trips. after returning.
THANK YOU
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