Employee wellness. We’ve all heard about it, but what does it really mean and why should you care about it?
Research shows when employees participate in wellness programs at work, they feel more energetic, sleep better, and take fewer sick days. Sounds pretty good, right? But who has time to stop in the middle of a busy day, when deadlines are constantly knocking on your door, to participate in a wellness program?
Take a Walk
Well, the truth is wellness programs have also been shown to increase productivity, decrease stress, and create an overall happier culture in the workplace.
What does that mean? It means if you take 15 minutes out of your day and take a walk, chances are you will quickly make up those 15 minutes because your productivity, engagement, and focus will be heightened after a healthy activity.
Short and Sweet
Over the past few months, the Quality and Safety Department at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center (pictured above) has initiated wellness strategies to promote increased employee physical activity.
On the hour, for about two minutes, everyone comes together and gets moving! Sometimes they simply do a few stretches, and other times they do hand weight exercises, lunges, or good old fashioned jumping jacks.
These exercise “breaks” are short and sweet, but they get the job done! The Quality and Safety team has already reported feeling happier and less stressed – and it only takes 14 minutes a day!
Do Something!
The moral of the story is if your employer offers wellness programs – participate! Trust us. They work. If your employer needs a little help getting a wellness program started, that’s where we come in.
Erin Kennedy, Director of the Center for Healthy Lifestyles at OSF St. Joseph, would love to help you implement an employee wellness program in your workplace. Call her at (309) 661-5153 or visit Center for Healthy Lifestyles for more information.
Last Updated: April 18, 2023