How to Counter the Workplace Cake Culture
Healthier food options have gained a foothold in workplaces over the last decade, bolstered by research showing that healthy behaviors are rooted in healthy environments. We are no exception at Paychex — a leader in the payroll, HR, and benefit outsourcing industry where my team and I drive a well-being strategy to support 14,000 employees nationwide. Nearly 10 years ago, we implemented some of the behavioral economics strategies […]
Putting the Joy Back in Healthy Living
“When I started this challenge, my two granddaughters were upset — they’d never see me. No more sitting on the couch watching funny cat videos and streaming cartoons. But then I started showing them photos of where I’d hiked — the beautiful flowers, the amazing streams and ravines, the winding paths through tall trees — […]
For Better or Worse: Spouses Make or Break Well-Being
Does having a healthy partner increase your odds of being healthy, too? What if your spouse is sedentary, has high blood pressure, and anxiety… does that put you at risk? The dynamics of health within couples — and how to use it to boost well-being — was addressed in a breakout session at HERO Forum16 in Atlanta […]
Thinking You Eat Healthy Doesn’t Make It So
Do your employees, coworkers, and friends think they eat healthy? A lot of people do — and they’re often sorely mistaken. A representative poll of 3000 US adults conducted by NPR and Truven Analytics found 75% rank nutrition habits as good, very good, or excellent. Very perplexing results, considering that study after study shows Americans […]
Meeting the Challenges of Shiftwork: Perspectives from Carolyn Schur, Sleep Educator
Since the dawn of time there have been shiftworkers. Someone needed to keep the cave fires burning and watch out for marauding tribes. Because of advances in technology, industrialization, and communication around the globe, increasing numbers work nontraditional shifts. According to 2004 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 15 million employees worked evenings, […]
No Limits Wellness
If you weren’t restricted by time or money, there’s almost no end to the number of individuals you could help in enhancing their health. Time and money are both limited… but maybe not as much as you think. Show Me the Money Go get it. Sure, your budget has been pared and you have fewer staff […]
Lifestyle Medicine: What Well-Being Managers Need to Know
The closest thing to a revolution in healthcare has been quietly gaining traction for over 15 years. Providers in the US and around the world are taking a keen interest in treating the root cause of many chronic diseases: a toxic lifestyle. Writing prescriptions for fruits and vegetables, a daily walk, or a visit to […]
Compete for Wellness Participants the Way Your Company Competes for Customers
Without knowing a thing about your organization’s business model, we’re confident that when it comes to acquiring customers, you don’t: Wait for them to come to you Pay them to use your services Make it difficult to take advantage of your offerings Tout unsubstantiated claims about your product or service … not if you want […]
Employee Well-Being Is Too Important to Leave to Consultants and Vendors
We make our living selling wellness challenges. And lots of our referrals come through wellness consultants/vendors. So it’s not without reservation that we advise our customers and prospects to do their own homework. What if another vendor has a newer, shinier whatchamacallit that we don’t? What if they do choose another service provider? What if […]
It’s a New Year — Email for Your Participants
This personalized email will raise signups in the first quarter — get it out to all of this year’s participants in early January: Dear (name), Just a quick note of appreciation for participating in XYZ wellness program last year. I hope you’re continuing to achieve your well-being goals. As we begin the new year, I’d […]