What are the latest and greatest health-related products? How can I spice up my ho-hum workout? Are the new nutritious food products and health-focused restaurants worth my money? If you're asking any of these questions you've found the right spot!Note: While I'm a journalist with a Bachelor's degree in kinesiology and am a Certified Health Education Specialist, I don't replace the guidance/counseling that comes from a good chat with your doctor or dietitian. For more information, feel free to contact me at karlaswalsh@gmail.com!
Healthful Bites
Back in college when I was taking classes for my kinesiology degree, workplace health promotion was one of my favorites. Why? It just seemed to make so much practical sense. Studies have found that for every one dollar invested by the company in health promotion, they get back three to six dollars, attributable to factors such as lower health care costs and increased productivity. Talk about a return on investment (so maybe I should have said it makes so much “cents!”).
This topic is fresh in my mind because of a recent report I heard on NPR, which shared anecdotes from Dow Chemical and how the corporation is striving to save money by helping workers lead healthier lifestyles. The company subsidizes gym memberships, dietitians and personal trainers, as well as on-site fitness facilities and more nutritious cafeteria options. Since instituting these measures, Dow has cut overall company health care costs by almost 10 percent!
The best programs, according to a report by Emory University experts, begin with personal health risk assessments (questionnaires that highlight an employee’s strengths and areas in need of improvement), which can later be used to provide “tailored messages” related to those weaknesses pinpointed in the assessment. Another important factor in the best workplace wellness programs is giving participants an opportunity to pick how they engage, whether in a large group, small group or solo.
Businesses that follow these steps are well on their way to making a difference in their workers’ well-being, including, but not limited to, the following ways:
- Decrease tobacco use
- Lower average staff blood pressure and cholesterol
- Reduce dietary fat consumption
- Decrease sick days due to illness and injury
It may take extra effort and a bit of additional staff-power to make worksite health programs a reality, but doesn’t it seem well worth it?
Photo courtesy of Flickr user familymwr.
While we’re on the topic, here are a few simple ways to “reboot your work health” from Women’s Health! (Sneak peek: Step out for lunch, stash some peppermint lotion and take 60-second breather breaks.)
So tell me, does your workplace offer wellness programs? And if so, do you take advantage of them?
