To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. - Buddha

It is too bad more companies do not follow the teachings of Buddha – these words may help their bottom lines. What is your company doing to increase wellness at your company?

The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine cites that healthcare expenditures are nearly 50 percent greater for workers who report high stress levels, so by reducing the level of occupational stress for employees, the company stands to benefit from significantly decreased healthcare expenses. Regarding absenteeism, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that a median of 25 days away from work occur because of occupational stress, which is over four times the median absence for all injuries and illnesses.

This finding serves to support the immense gains resulting from decreased costs and increased productivity that companies can benefit from by focusing on their employees’ wellness. Organizations also stand to benefit from a workforce that is better able to deal with job-related stressors, as well as able to concentrate on job-related tasks and issues without losing focus due to personal matters on their mind. Decreases in stress also lead to less fatigue, anxiety or other adverse psycho-physiological consequences being experienced, allowing the quality of both professional and personal life to increase.

Similar to wellness programs, companies are currently offering a variety of opportunities for recreation and recreational activities to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of their employees. By offering their employees the opportunity to partake in these physical activities, organizations are providing an outlet for employees to increase their health, reduce their stress, and develop their personal interests. This particular type of benefit aims at improving employees’ personal lives, so that the company may benefit from an improvement in employees’ professional lives as a result.

More specifically, employees who utilize the available opportunities for recreation feel that they are more relaxed, healthier, less prone to using sick leave, less prone to injury resulting in disability leave, and more mentally prepared to handle the stress associated with either their personal or professional lives. This increase in morale, physical and psychological wellbeing have been shown to positively affect the workforce through increased job satisfaction, increased intention to stay, increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, decreased turnover, and fewer employee relations conflicts.

As with many aspects of our careers today, you own your career destiny and, in this case, your well-being. How can you continually make your career more stress-free and healthier?

Wishing you great health,

Paula