Corporate wellness programs are popping up more and more these days in businesses of all types and sizes. With the race to win and retain talent, coupled with rising healthcare costs, investing in wellness programs for employees just makes good business sense.
Overall, our take is that if your company is going to “pay” you to get into shape and be your best self, it’s a great idea to take advantage of it. Of course, the benefit to your company is a huge reason why they do it, but between the monetary premium savings, the fun swag and rewards, better physical fitness, and increased mindfulness that you stand to gain, it’s really a win-win all around, isn’t it?
Still hesitant to participate though? While it does seem like one additional thing to manage, wellness programs designed for employees can bring many benefits. Let’s explore a few reasons to embrace corporate wellness programs offered by your place of work!
Financial Benefits of Wellness Programs
Sure, employer-sponsored wellness programs bring financial benefits to your company, but they also can put money back in your pocket. Many of these programs “gamify” health tracking by rewarding significant milestones, winning challenges, or participating in certain activities. The financial reward might even be an additional contribution to the employees’ healthcare costs. And these add up, so any extra savings here helps!
Some companies’ corporate wellness programs offer a rewards store, where you can use points to purchase fitness equipment, tech toys such as Apple watches, headphones, or electronic fitness trackers, or even gift cards to your favorite restaurants.
READ MORE: Establishing Family Fitness Habits That Last
Moving More – Something We All Need!
Many corporate wellness programs incorporate physical fitness-based rewards. This means you can earn points for being active for 15 minutes per day, taking 7,000 steps per day, being active for 20 days per month, and more. Let’s face it, there are some mornings where you just want to skip the workout. There are other days when things come up and you’re too busy to fit exercise in. Staying accountable to corporate wellness programs may be just what you need to get it done.
READ MORE: 8 Meaningful Mindfulness Exercises To Improve Your Mental Health
Free Health Tracking Devices
Some employers offer free use of health-tracking devices as part of their wellness programs. Employees should take advantage of these for several reasons:
- First and foremost, these devices can help employees to better understand health and fitness levels. Many health-tracking devices, such as fitness trackers or smartwatches, provide data on things like steps taken, calories burned, and sleep patterns. This data can give employees valuable insights into their own health and help them to identify areas where they can make improvements.
- Using an employer-provided health tracking device can help employees to set and achieve personal health and fitness goals. These devices can provide employees with the data and feedback they need to track their progress and stay motivated.
- Employer-provided health tracking devices can help to foster a culture of health and wellness in the workplace. When employees are actively working to improve their own health, they can serve as positive role models for their colleagues and inspire others to do the same. This can lead to a healthier and more productive workforce.
- These devices can help employers to keep an eye on the well-being of their employees and improve the employee’s overall health and wellness. By providing these devices, employers can show that they care about the well-being of their employees, which can lead to increased employee satisfaction and engagement.
- The data that is collected from these devices can help employers to identify patterns or trends that may be impacting the overall health and well-being of the employee population. This can help employers to make data-driven decisions about how to improve the health and well-being of their employees.
In summary, employees should use employer-provided health tracking devices to improve their own health and fitness, set and achieve personal goals, foster a culture of health and wellness, and help their employer to support the well-being of the employees.
Improved Sleep Habits
One of the greatest benefits of corporate wellness programs is improved sleep habits. Quality sleep is an integral part of overall health and wellness, and just like nutrition and physical activity, it needs to be tended to. Yet, with busy work schedules and other obligations, getting a good night’s sleep can be hard.
Fortunately, corporate wellness programs can be designed to provide employees with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to improve their sleep habits. By teaching employees practical strategies for better sleep, such as avoiding screens before bed, establishing regular sleep hours, and creating a sleep-friendly environment, corporate wellness programs can foster improved sleep habits among employees.
These improved sleep habits can have a positive ripple effect in the workplace. Quality sleep is associated with an improved immune system, so employees are less likely to become ill. This can lead to fewer sick days, increased productivity, and a decrease in workplace health-related costs.
An additional benefit of improved sleep habits is the potential for improved mental health. Studies have found that quality sleep is associated with reduced stress and increased concentration. Corporate wellness programs that focus on healthy sleep habits can help employees be better equipped to handle the stress and demands of their job. Quality sleep can help reduce fatigue and make employees better equipped to handle physical demands throughout the day.
READ MORE: The 2 Most Important Fitness Tips: Taking A Break And Embracing It
Visibility into Potential Health Risks
As employers increasingly prioritize corporate wellness programs, it’s important to understand the benefits of these programs and how they can help enhance visibility into potential health risks. With these programs, employers are able to monitor the health and well-being of their employees and identify any potential health risks that could lead to more serious health issues down the line.
For example, wellness programs can track an employee’s blood pressure, glucose levels, and cholesterol levels. This can give employees a better understanding of their overall health and help them to identify any potential medical issues. They can also provide insights into an employee’s lifestyle and daily habits. This can help identify any potential lifestyle issues that may be contributing to health risks, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet. By understanding this, wellness programs can provide guidance and resources to help them make healthier choices.
READ MORE: How To Build Your Own Fitness Program
Why Use Corporate Wellness Programs?
Corporate wellness programs have become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more companies recognize the benefits they can offer to both employees and the organization as a whole. These programs are designed to promote healthy habits and lifestyles among employees, and they can have a significant impact on employee productivity, engagement, and overall well-being.
One of the key benefits of corporate wellness programs is that they can help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance. These programs often include resources and support for employees to manage stress, improve their overall health and well-being, and find time for physical activity and other healthy habits. This can lead to lower absenteeism, increased productivity, and better job satisfaction.
Another benefit of corporate wellness programs is that they can help to reduce healthcare costs for both the employee and the employer. By promoting healthy habits and lifestyles, these programs can help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. This can lead to fewer sick days, lower healthcare costs, and an overall healthier workforce.
Corporate wellness programs can also help to promote a positive and supportive work environment. These programs can foster a sense of community and belonging among employees, and they can help to promote teamwork and collaboration. This can lead to improved employee engagement, better communication, and a more positive work culture.
Overall, corporate wellness programs offer a wide range of benefits for employees, including improved physical and mental health, better work-life balance, and lower healthcare costs. They can also help to promote a positive and supportive work environment, which can lead to increased employee engagement and productivity. Companies that invest in these programs can expect to see a significant return on their investment, both in terms of employee satisfaction and organizational success. The true beneficiary of corporate wellness programs is the employee, who will have the knowledge and tools to live a healthier life as a result!
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