When my company started a health and wellness program that included a corporate gym membership at any Goodlife Fitness across Canada, I signed up and got started right away. 3 years later it's still a regular part of my life. The first few months were hard, I was out of shape and used to sitting at my desk for long periods of time so I felt stiff and out of sync. With a consistent routine, I saw progress within the first few months and was on my way in this fitness journey.

Now 3 years later and 60 pounds lighter, fitness has become a regular part of my health and wellness journey. I am thankful the company offered this as part of a health and wellness initiative in February 2019. Since February is "Heart Month", it's a time to bring attention to the importance of cardiovascular health, and what we can do to reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease.

Implementing wellness activities in the workplace can promote healthy habits, which in turn will benefit employees and the company. Employees who are strong and fit will improve their productivity, their health and relationships, and reduce company costs with fewer sick days.

Does your business offer an employee health and wellness plan? When building a health and wellness plan here are 6 things to cover:

• Fitness: being physically fit and healthy

• Nutrition: providing your body with proper nourishment through food and drink

• Rest: allowing your body and mind to recover strength through sleep or relaxation

• Stress management: keeping your stress levels at a manageable level to avoid burnout

• Social wellbeing: having positive connections with other individuals, such as co-workers

• Development: having the opportunity to grow and progress in your career

What are some benefits of including wellness activities at the workplace?

1. Improves employee productivity

Considering employees' wellness needs tends to make them more productive. Healthy workers take less sick leave than overworked and overstressed workers who have few opportunities or little time to focus on their wellness needs.

2. Reduce Costs

Incorporating activities into the workplace may reduce costs for the company. When employees have opportunities to focus on their health and wellness, they're more likely to develop healthy habits. These positive life changes improve the employee's overall health, reducing the need to visit doctors, purchase medications, or experience burnouts.

3. Improves Employee Relationships

Activities allow co-workers to spend time together so they can focus on something other than work. Group fitness classes or training together at a team event can build camaraderie. When co-workers have good relationships and enjoy each other's company, it can improve their ability to work together and the atmosphere in the workplace.

Employee Education and Relaxation Ideas:

1. Publishing A Wellness Newsletter

Publishing a wellness newsletter can be a good way of educating and informing employees about various aspects of wellness all in one place. Some ideas for what you can include are:

• healthy recipes

• employee highlights with personal wellness tips

• Q&A with various experts

• stretching techniques

• financial tips

• sleep trackers

• workout regimens

• diet plans

• breathing exercises

2. Hosting Guest Experts

Booking various experts in different fields to come in and share their expertise with your employees can be a fun and engaging way of promoting wellness. Taking an hour break during the workday to relax and learn from an expert can educate your employees and provide them with a mental break.

3. Offering Fitness Classes Or Gym Memberships

Offering fitness classes or gym memberships encourages employees to get active and improve their fitness. If a studio room is available at the workplace, you can convert this into a place for workout classes. You can hire trainers to facilitate strength, cardio, and yoga classes and encourage employees to participate. If there isn't enough space for classes onsite, you can cover your employee's gym membership fees. Gyms provide corporate plans with discounts for large groups.

4. Meditation Breaks

Providing designated quiet times or meditation breaks gives employees a time in their day where they can relax in a calm environment. 

Feel free to leave your thoughts or comments on workplace health and wellness programs and how it can benefit employees or connect with at kellyswritingservices@gmail.com or https://kellywillmott.com/contact