Unique Ideas For Wellness Programs

On average, Americans work 7.5 hours daily, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Add in longer commutes. and the time you spend to keep and do your job increases substantially. Workplace wellness offers a convenient, affordable way for employees to stay fit, which also benefits employers because of fewer days lost to illness. Fitness and weight loss challenges are common components of wellness programs. But, if your employees are struggling to get engaged, offering unique programs might help.

Customized Programs

Instead of offering a blanket wellness program, a customized wellness program begins with a voluntary, comprehensive and confidential health check-up for your employees. Each employee goes through an evaluation of indicators, such as blood pressure, weight and blood sugar levels. Experts look at their current level of fitness, nutritional habits and lifestyle — smoking, for example. Employees receive a health report card based on the evaluation and go through professional individual counseling to set health and wellness goals. When the Campbell Co. of Canada implemented its “Wellness Within” program using this model, more than 50 percent of office staff and 30 percent of plant employees signed up.

Stress-reduction Programs

Not all employees want to work up a sweat on a treadmill or a cycling class. Offer them more holistic activities and treatments, such as yoga, tai chi, meditation and massages. Nutrition classes can also help your employees to beat stress, which often leads to cravings for unhealthy foods, such as refined carbohydrates.

Wii Wellness Program

New video game technology offers fitness activities ranging from yoga to aerobics, strength training and balance. Hope College in Michigan, for example, offered employees and their spouses the chance to try physical fitness video games, including tennis and boxing, as part of the school's wellness program. You might spark greater interest in your employees to get fit the same way.

Dancing Programs

Dancing is a vigorous form of physical activity that can help employees to stay in shape — and have fun while doing so. Dancing burns calories, increases blood circulation and flexibility and strengthens muscles. Offer a variety of dances, such as jazz, hip-hop, belly dancing or Zumba, to increase chances that employees will participate in the program and not become bored.