Does your company have a wellness program? Do you invest in health initiatives and your overall wellness?
Many people associate a healthy lifestyle; one that focuses on wholesome nutrition; with weight loss. Despite this, few understand all of the benefits nutrition can have, especially improving employee efficiencies in the workplace. Unhealthy employees are more likely to experience a lack of concentration and productivity while at work.
A workplace wellness program can help create a stronger employee culture. With the right education, motivation, tools, and social support, people can change behaviors and maintain healthy habits long term. In addition, wellness programs are not only associated with a decrease in physical ailments but also in a decrease in mental ailments; such as anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses. A great article to pursue if interested in this topic is linked here.
Workplace policies to improve employee productivity and morale can begin with a few simple steps such as making sure that nutritious foods are provided; that is fruits, vegetables, and other low-fat foods; be it in vending machines or the common rooms.
Apart from this companies can ensure employees have time to have scheduled meals; regular food consumption throughout the day keeps the brain functioning properly. This is because the brain requires constant fuel via glucose foods in certain foods. Certain foods have an immediate glucose release, for example, candy and sweets. Despite this, they only keep workers alert for a very short span of time. On the other hand, foods such as veggies release glucose slowly but allow glucose blood levels to remain steady and constant.
Furthermore, of extremely high importance for productivity is also the nutrients found in certain foods. For example, Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help with memory. Deficits in key nutrients especially essential vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids can have huge impacts on employee wellness, morale and mental clarity.
Ultimately, the company should push to educate employees on healthy meals, exercise, and lifestyle improvement. This can be via a few small changes in the office or educational videos. Undoubtedly, the highest benefit for the company and employees will be from company investment in comprehensive worksite wellness programs. This will reduce health care costs in the long run; savings from program participation will be greater than the actual cost of the program in most cases.
Bottom line, investing in employee health, more specifically in wellness programs will improve employee productivity, reduce company cost, boost morale and drive success! Don’t simply take my word for it! Go ahead and give it a shot.
Want to learn more about the impact of nutrition on your health, be sure to check out our blog posts at betrhealth.com!
This Post Has 6 Comments
This is especially true in healthcare! Nurses are often stressed and rushed, but rarely have time to get a healthy bite during their shift. The end result is often a very fatigued, over weight group. The hospital I work for has great selection of fruits for breakfast and I am very thankful!
I’m a retired teacher as if this summer. We were lucky to get 15 minutes of our 25 to prepare, eat and go to the bathroom. Our planning time was often overtaken for meetings, so there was rarely time to regroup and de stress. I’m battling changing those old habits of eating fast. This program is making me slow down and chew and be aware of the need to take time.
My company had a wellness program
They should put together a walk program. I see people walking outside but never inside.
This is an excellent article. I will email a copy to share with my Supervisor and our Human Resources Department.
Thank you
I am lucky as our company has won awards every year for their wellness program. I am here at Betr now because our company really cares. They also pay us extra for our steps and BMI. Hoping to get to a normal BMI so I can get that extra pay too!
Thank you !!