Don’t Make Assumptions
The quest for wellness continues to gain ground, especially in the business world. Corporations have begun to realize that wellness programs can add to their bottom lines. For every dollar invested in worksite wellness programs, there is a return of $15 to the employer, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Wellness programs are touted to increase productivity and reduce costs. For those of you who have no access to company sponsored programs, beginning your own wellness program at home will allow all the benefits to flow directly to you.
“Research shows that companies can save anywhere from $3 to $15 for every $1 spent on health and wellness within 12 to 18 months of implementing a program,” says Mercedes Carnethon, professor at Northwestern University and author of the AHA paper. “Beyond cost savings and increased productivity, visionary employers are realizing the value of an employee’s total health. An effective worksite wellness program can attract exceptional employees, enhance morale and reduce organizational conflict.”
The American Heart Association is encouranging employers of both large and small companies to embrace a wellness program. “We are making great strides in workplace wellness but we also know that half of employees don’t have access to these programs, mainly because they work in small companies or for employers that have a small number of employees at multiple sites,” Carnethon said. “We are hoping this paper shows employers large and small the benefits these programs may provide to both their employees and their bottom line.”
The following are components of a successful wellness program according to the AHA. Each of these can be done at home by making yourself the CEO of your own wellness program.
- Tobacco cessation and prevention,
- Regular physical activity,
- Stress management/reduction,
- Early detection/screening,
- Nutrition education and promotion,
- Weight management,
- Disease management,
- Cardiovascular disease education, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training, and
- Changes in the work environment to encourage healthy behaviors and promote occupational safety and health
