Over the past couple of years, we have been under insurmountable stress. Unfortunately, when you look at how stress affects your life, more than likely, you’ll see that it’s bleeding into your work life. Luckily, there are some ways to combat that! Employee wellness programs are one way that you can help your employees elevate their energy, health, and even productivity. Here are some benefits of corporate wellness programs.
Health risks can improve
Did you know that just 10 minutes of exercise can help your body in the long run? Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States today and is often a preventable condition, so investing in a way to get your employees active for just 150 minutes a week can help you in the long run. Studies have shown that with exercise, 5 out of 7 health risks were improved after just one year!
Reduce healthcare costs
When you make the jump to be more invested in your employees’ health, it pays off in lower healthcare premiums. Using a wellness program can help your employees become healthier, leading to fewer doctor appointments and less money that needs to be paid. Healthy people don’t go to the doctor. Simple as that!
Motivation improves
Motivation to set goals and follow through with them is easier when you have a support system with you. It’s true in the business world and especially in the fitness and wellness world. Whether it’s friends, family members, or coworkers, people have a built-in support system to do anything, from dieting to exercise to even overall well-being. A little encouragement goes a long way.
Reduced number of absences
When people feel well, they can stay on the job and do their best work. On the other hand, if people aren’t feeling their best, be it sluggish, stressed, or sick, they’ll do poor work or not even show up at all. At the beginning of 2022, the number of absences for the month of January showed that 7.8 million people missed work because of an illness, injury, or other medical issues. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, that number is up almost 4 million from January 2021. By offering people wellness programs such as biometric screenings, flu and COVID shots, and other campaigns, you can see your company benefit from reduced absences.
When looking to create a corporate wellness program, you’ll want to see what the needs of your workforce are and then mold your company to that extent. You’ll see success in different ways, like the level of engagement or the employee’s increased healthy behaviors. You may also see a boost in productivity and morale as well.