(610) 463-5492 JOHN@JOHNGRONSKI.COM

Wellness Practices For The Workplace

By Rosette Jones

Adaptability is one of the qualities business owners need to develop to maintain a fulfilled workforce. What better way to practice it than to adapt to the changing needs of your employees?

As the importance of employee wellness becomes more prominent in the business world, companies should consider taking action to enhance the welfare of their workforce. This article will explore various wellness practices and initiatives that organizations can implement to create a healthier and more productive workplace:

Invest in ergonomic equipment

Employee satisfaction depends not just on the social aspects of the workplace, but also on the physical. Studies show that employees who find their working environment comfortable are 25% more productive.

Furthermore, musculoskeletal disorders (such as back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome) are common reasons behind absenteeism and workers’ compensation claims. As such, employers should consider creating an ergonomic environment that reduces this occupational stress.

To this end, investing in ergonomic equipment that prioritizes employees’ comfort and physical wellness can positively impact a company’s productivity and bottom line.

Case in point, standing desk converters can help staff reduce discomfort from long hours of sitting, improve blood flow and circulation, and activate muscles to improve muscle and bone health. Combining this setup with adjustable chairs and keyboard trains can help correct posture and increase energy and focus.

Encourage regular hydration

Proper hydration is essential for overall health. When adequately hydrated, employees are more likely to be alert and focused. Health experts recommend that adults drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.

However, workers may fail to reach this target due to their workload. Dehydration can lead to symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and decreased cognitive function. This condition can negatively impact an employee’s job performance.

To encourage regular hydration, install water dispensers throughout the office and provide employees with reusable water bottles. You can also encourage them to take breaks throughout the day to replenish their water supply at their desks. By implementing these strategies, companies can create a culture of health that encourages employees to take charge of their health.

Provide access to meditation apps

Providing access to meditation apps is a simple way for companies to improve their employees’ mental health. Empirical evidence has shown that meditation and mindfulness practices have various benefits, including improved cognitive flexibility and increased working memory. Incorporating these practices in a more extensive stress reduction program has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression among employees.

To make meditation and mindfulness more accessible to employees, organizations can provide access to meditation apps, such as Headspace or Calm, and encourage their use during breaks. This can be done by offering employees a group subscription and creating a meditation room in the office where employees can practice relaxation techniques through the apps.

Use aromatherapy oils

Aromatherapy can be a simple and cost-effective way to improve the overall atmosphere of the office and promote a sense of relaxation among employees. It can even improve performance in the workplace by creating an autonomic balance in the parasympathetic system.

Aromatherapy oils can complement other wellness initiatives, such as meditation or yoga, to enhance their effectiveness. Certain oils like lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemon are known to have a soothing effect to help improve focus and concentration and boost energy levels in the workplace.

It’s necessary to note that some people might have allergies or sensitivities to certain types of oils. Before installing oil diffusers for aromatherapy around the office, inform employees of the different scents being used and their potential risks and side effects. More importantly, allow them to opt-out if they prefer not to have the oils diffused in their proximity.

Implementing wellness practices and initiatives is a win-win situation for the company and the employees. By investing in your employees’ well-being, you are investing in the long-term success of your business.

About our guest blogger

Rosette Jones is a business consultant and part-time writer. Her spare time is spent contributing to blogs and caring for her grandmother who has looked after her since she was young.

Helping Others Makes Us Stronger

We can find many wise men and books of wisdom that point out that we can best be served by serving others. Here are some examples of what has been said and written. Napoleon Hill said, “It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to...

Generation Gap 2023

By John Gronski Lately, in leadership workshops I have been conducting around the country I have been getting more and more questions from front-line leaders about how to work with and motivate our younger generation of employees entering the workforce known as...

Stay Away from Monsters

By John Gronski Scary times. Halloween is upon us, and our thoughts turn to monsters. As a leader of your organization, you do not want the people you lead to place you in that category. This may be a good time to reflect on your leadership style. Ask yourself the...

Taking The Helm

By John Gronski When you are entering a new leadership position it is always very exciting. You will want to get things right from the very beginning. As a younger, inexperienced leader I made mistakes. Some blunders I made included thinking I knew everything there...

Mindset x 4

By John Gronski The world can be a crazy and distressing place at times and it is easy to get discouraged. It seems like there are so many things that are beyond our control. We must focus on the things we can control and two of those things are our mind and our...

Keynote Leadership Presentation at Comcast

In September 2023 I had the opportunity to provide the keynote leadership presentation at Comcast MilDev. This is an annual event where Comcast brings together military Veterans from across the United States and the United Kingdom who work for the company. My remarks...

Continual Learning

Deputy Sheriff Krzysztof Sadowski attended John Gronski's two-day Iron-Sharpened Leadership and Resiliency Workshop recently. Krzysztof provides his views on the benefits of the workshop in the short video posted on John's YouTube channel. Watch the video below....

A Question for Leaders

By MG John Gronski (USA, Ret.) I have a question for leaders. When you are out circulating around the organization you lead, what questions do you ask? Most leaders have learned that one of the keys to being a good communicator is to listen. Listening helps us to...

Stay Humble, Stay Hungry

By MG John Gronski (USA, Ret.) When I conduct leadership workshops or deliver keynotes focused on leadership, I am usually quick to point out that although I have led military and civilian organizations for over 40 years, I am still trying to develop myself to become...

Leaders Continue Learning In Scotch Plains, NJ

There are many great things about taking the Iron-Sharpened Leadership and Resiliency Workshop on the road. First, I get to present with awesome people like SGM (USA, Ret,) JoAnn Tresco who is a Master Resiliency Trainer. I also get to meet fantastic leaders who are...
Share This