How many of you have ever felt like you were a little stressed out at work? Maybe felt you needed a little more energy by the middle of the day? How about missed a day of work because of a chronic illness or body pain? I’m guessing if you are raising your hands, few people would be left now that don’t have their hand up. I’d love to talk to you to learn your secret!
Most people can relate to at least one or all of the statements above. So what can employers do to help their employees to have better health and be at their best both at work and at home? It’s important for employers of all sizes to encourage a culture of wellness for their employees- even if you are a business of one, a family business, a non-profit or a large corporation. Employee health directly impacts healthcare costs — an issue for every business. However 75% of these costs are driven by preventable and highly manageable chronic diseases, like heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer.
Obesity among full-time employees cost employers $73.1 billion a year in medical costs and lost productivity in 2008. A recent study estimates that an obese person incurs annual medical costs that are over $2,700 higher (in 2005 dollars) than if they were not obese.
Healthy workers + Healthy Corporate Culture =
• Higher productivity
• Less absenteeism
• More job satisfaction
• Better bottom line on health care costs in the long-term
• Connection with co-workers
• Employees are our most valuable asset!
This is a link to an article on America’s Healthier Companies, of all sizes, and what they are doing to be leaders in employee wellness:
http://greatist.com/health/healthiest-companies
Some of the things that you can participate in as an employee of the City of Mesquite are things like wellness coaching (creating a personalized plan, nutrition counseling, exercise planning and instruction); group coaching (creating challenges, rewards, team support); education (Lunch & Learns, handouts, newsletters, videos), and Wellness Days (information, chair massage, blood pressure or other biometric screenings). We also have various wellness activities going on right now that you can be a part of. If you need help figuring out what would work best for you, send me an email and I can help you create a plan.
Liz Jones is the Wellness Coordinator at the City of Mesquite and a wellness professional in Rockwall, Mesquite, Wylie and surrounding areas. She is a writer, certified yoga instructor, personal trainer and wellness coach. She holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Management, with a graduate certificate in Ethics and Leadership. Her undergraduate studies included communication, business, writing, art, fitness, and dance. Liz Jones can be reached at: [email protected].