As the year progresses, New Year’s resolutions can easily become a fading memory. Research shows only 20% of people stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, and only 9% accomplish them.
It is likely your employee wellness program will see a similar decline in interest throughout the year, unless you take the steps necessary to keep employees engaged on a long-term basis. Here are some practical strategies to inspire your workforce and maintain enthusiasm for healthy living year-round.
The Connection Between Wellness and the Workplace
On average, a full-time employee spends about half of their waking hours at work on most days. This makes the workplace an ideal setting to foster self-care and well-being. In addition, healthy employees are happier and more productive, which is a win-win for employers and employees.
Here are a few reasons why supporting employee health makes sense, according to the National Prevention Council.
- When employee health is poor, the indirect costs to employers – lower productivity, higher rates of disability, higher rates of injury, and more workers compensation claims – can be two to three times the cost of direct medical expenses.
- A 1% improvement in weight, blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol risk factors would save $83 to $103 annually in medical costs per person.
- For every dollar spent on workplace wellness programs, absenteeism costs are reduced by approximately $2.73.
While these benefits don’t happen overnight, they highlight the long-term value of investing in workplace wellness.
Tips for Keeping Employees Involved
Getting employees to participate in your wellness program is only the first step. To make it a lasting success, create an environment that fosters ongoing participation. Here are some ideas for helping employees stick with their goals.
- Send regular updates with health tips, recipes, and details about upcoming challenges or events to keep the program top of mind.
- Encourage employees to find what motivates them to keep their health goals, whether it is exercising with a friend, keeping an exercise and/or diet journal, participating in wellness challenges, compiling an exercise music playlist, etc.
- Incorporate walking meetings whenever possible to add movement into the workday.
- Host employee wellness activities. For example, by hosting a 5K, employees have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of training prior to the event as well as participating in a fun competition.
- Encourage breaks that include physical activity, like taking a walk, stretching, or enjoying fresh air. Suggest standing or pacing during phone calls to reduce sedentary time.
- Offer healthier food options at office events. Examples include mini desserts for portion control, fresh fruit instead of doughnuts, or veggie platters with nutritious dips.
- Support mental and emotional health through activities like weekly chair massages, mindfulness sessions, or providing a quiet room where employees can recharge during busy days. Encourage employees to take vacation time to fully disconnect and reset.
Finding what resonates with your team is key. Remember, meaningful change takes time.
Encouragement for Long-Term Success
Encourage employees to make sustainable, incremental changes rather than aiming for an immediate lifestyle overhaul. Remind them to adapt their health goals to fit their current life phase and focus on holistic well-being — beyond just numbers on a scale.
A successful wellness program empowers employees to feel confident, mindful, and in control of their health. By supporting simple, positive habits and offering resources for mental and physical well-being, you create an environment where healthy choices become second nature.
