Does your company offer a workplace wellness program?
Wellness programs within the workplace have become more and more popular over the last several years, and there’s good reason. Generally speaking, wellness programs give employees incentives, tools, support, and strategies to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. The idea is first, to of course take care of employees, but also that healthy employees make for a healthy business. This isn’t just some trend in company culture styles, like open office plans (big mistake!), but rather is a concept that is backed by decades of research. Whether you work within a small business or a large corporation, wellness practices and programs can be a huge benefit, not only to employees, but in the bottom line of the business too. Let’s face it, many business owners and managing departments are skeptical of adding in things like this if there’s not a reason that truly benefits the business – and that means seeing it in the numbers, right? And that’s what’s so great about wellness programs. You can see the benefit in the numbers!
Most companies offer some benefits like retirement plans, healthcare, paid time off, and maternity leave. While these things seem to help recruit and maintain workers, there’s not much research to back that up. However, when it comes to research, wellness programs are far more studied and seem to be more effective in not only getting and maintaining employees, but making them more productive in their work. What company doesn’t want that?
So what can be included in a workplace wellness program?
Fitness Activities
Consider bringing the classroom to your staff by hiring oh, I don’t know, perhaps Michigan Massage and Wellness/The New Office Movement for an on site stretching and mobility class, or take advantage of an online program that your employees can do with very little equipment, time or space.
Stress relief activities
Regular breaks, meditation classes, breathing exercises, and any other form of relaxation and stress relief employees can utilize either daily, weekly, or monthly.
Social Activities
Getting together regularly with colleagues for fun activities can boost morale and lead to better teamwork. Blowing off steam outside of work doesn’t only mean drinks after a long day; weekly game nights, holiday and goal celebration parties, and charitable work everyone participates in are just a few examples. Consider bringing in some board games to the office or having ‘walking meetings’ to break up the monotony of the day.
Healthy Snacks
Keeping healthy options available in the break room is a simple yet effective way to make small changes to better their health. At Michigan Massage and Wellness we keep our kitchenette stocked with healthy staples that fit our paleo diet lifestyle such as Larabars, trail mix, sparkling water, beef jerky and of course, our beloved dark chocolate.
Wellness rooms
This could be an empty space that gets used for those yoga, exercise, or meditation classes mentioned above. Add just a few comfortable pieces of furniture for employees to rest and relax for a few minutes during the day as well for a single space that covers it all.
Incentives for better health
Discounts on gym memberships, challenges with a prize for those who get the most steps in, lower the blood pressure or cholesterol the most, etc. are great ways to incentivize healthier habits.
Massage Therapy
Providing massages on a regular basis, even brief 10-15 minute stretching and compression massages, to employees has been shown to have a positive impact in almost every way. And fortunately, Michigan Massage and Wellness has you covered with that!
What does the research say about adding these sorts of wellness options?
- Reduced healthcare costs
- Reduced elevated health risks
- Improved employee health behaviors
- Improved productivity
- Decreased absenteeism
- Improved recruitment and retention
- Decreased office stress
- Fewer office-related injuries
- And happier employees
All of these options can have a positive effect on employees and your bottom line as a business. Of course, we’re quite partial to adding massage into your company’s wellness program. From preventing injuries to decreased stress and increased productivity, massage therapy is one of the best additions to a wellness program. Ask us about our onsite and corporate wellness options! Because at the end of the day, happy employees lead to better work and better work leads to better profits. Make the investment in your group, they’re worth it.
In good hands,
Rebecca Tamm, LMT
