Wellness has been a buzz word lately, and for a good reason, with more and more companies taking their employee’s health more seriously, there has been a spike in wellness programs and health benefits.
Happy and healthy employees means better productivity, better work culture, and high engagement.
Investing in your organization’s health can prove to be very smart. So, how do you take the push for wellness seriously and give your team members actionable ways to make their health a priority? We have a few ideas.
Actionable Steps to Improve Employee Wellness
Ranging from the completely obvious to “it’s so crazy it may just work” here are some of our top ideas for tackling the employee wellness issue.
1. Start with the Culture
Before taking any drastic measures, you must be sure that your approaches are genuine and clear; anything less and your employees will likely find it all phony.
Strive to make the workplace environment more:
- Positive
- Encourage teamwork
- Reward collaboration
When people are encouraged to work with the whole group rather than competing, it creates a better headspace for all.
2. Bring in Massage Chairs
Most of us are sitting at our desk well over 5 hours a day, in unnatural positions, and staring at screens. This can do a number on our overall physical health.
Consider bringing in on-site chair massages weekly, monthly, quarterly (whatever fits your budget) to give employees some much-deserved relaxation.
3. Emphasize Hydration
Have you noticed that whenever you’re tired, have a headache, or feeling foggy, someone will recommend drinking water? That’s because the benefits of being hydrated are undeniable.
When you’re stuck working on a project or running from meeting to meeting all day, it can be easy to forget to drink water. Having a watercooler in the office instantly makes it more accessible. See some of our solutions here!
4. Reduce Noise
Noise pollution and excessive sound are huge stressors that can make it challenging to do your work. Designate a quiet space or two where employees can go when they need complete concentration or consider redesigning the layout of your office to keep louder spaces separated from other areas of work.
Don’t have the time to do all of the above? You could even install a white noise machine as a simple way to drown out the typical humdrum of an office.
5. Let the Light In
You’ve probably read how bad our phone screens, tablets, and computer screens can be due to the blue light.
This prolonged exposure can impact our sleep, which in turn affects us in many other ways. Access to natural light and views of the outdoors are essential for mental wellbeing.
6. Collaborate for Healthy Eating
We are what we eat, and if we’re stuck in the office for hours on end, you can bet your employees aren’t eating very well.
Do some research and see if there are local farmers or farmer markets you could partner with to give your employees easy access to fresh produce.
7. Provide Check-Ups
Preventative medicine is one part of long-term health. But, unfortunately, many people don’t go to the doctor unless they’re already sick.
Help break this habit by bringing in a physician to give employees convenient access to getting a check-up.
8. Try Wearable Tech
Seek promotions, deals, or discounts on wearable tech like a Fitbit or Apple watch. These items offer various real-time feedback on health stats like their:
- Heart rate
- Calories burned
- Steps taken
These are particularly helpful for people who can get stuck sitting for long periods.
Investing in your workplace wellness can come in many forms (policies, benefits, and other resources) but no matter what route you take it’s sure to improve the overall work environment and have some long-term benefits for your business.
Waterways Can Help
If you want to learn more about how our products can help you put employee wellness and hydration first, let’s talk! We have a variety of high-quality products that can help you achieve your goals.
Get in touch with us today by filling out our contact form!