Life has thrown us a curveball. Physically, emotionally, and financially, we have been tested and tried this year. Our routines have changed as many of us are working from home, changing our eating patterns, worrying about finances, have limited social interaction, unable to exercise as often, and more. We may be feeling out of control, preoccupied with the media, and allowing external forces to dictate our days. Although these situations are tough for us all, there is an importance of introducing wellbeing practices into our daily lives. When we spend most of our time working, we need to be sure that our wellness is being considered. Thankfully, many employers are waking up to the importance of wellness in the workplace.
Employers Focus on Preventative Care
Employers increasingly recognize the necessity to help their workforce stay healthy and productive, rather than only step in when an employee is sick or in pain. They are now using wellness programs as a strategic way to help employees optimize their health and prevent sickness. Many offer resources and access to professional and on-demand services like stress management, mental health counselling, life coaching, diet, financial wellness, fitness, and meditation. These employee benefits encourage team members to take better care of their long-term health and wellbeing by educating them and helping them to develop healthy habits.
Science plays a large role in impacting employers to do the right thing. There are countless studies that show that exercise and a healthy mindset can do wonders for each person, in turn impacting their productivity at work. Fitness is not only good for your physical health (helping prevent obesity and diabetes, strengthening muscles, etc.) but it’s also proven to protect your brain from mental conditions such as depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.
Personalization is Key
What works for one employee may not work for the other. Many companies provide a range of wellness benefits because of this, as some people may prefer meditation apps to the gym, or personal training instead of hitting the track. The purpose of wellness programs is to help employees develop healthier habits, and that means giving staff members the option to pick and choose what benefits are right for them. No two employees are the same in terms of health needs and personal interests. A successful wellness program is one that offers personalization.
Self-Care Practices
There are many ways you can look after yourself during these changing times. To support your health and wellbeing, incorporate the Genesis CPR (Calm, Productive, Resilience) model:
- Stay calm. Stress compromises your immunity. Step back and take a look at the bigger picture. This moment is a blip in time, and it will pass. Take some time to do the things you enjoy, such as listen to music, read a book, or write down your thoughts.
- Be productive. You may feel out of control of the situation around you, but that should inspire you to take care of things that you can control. Structure your workday, minimize distractions, set measurable goals at work, and stay in touch with people you love. Completing tasks each day will help to give you a sense of accomplishment.
- Practice resilience. Strength exists within you at all times – you just need to learn to tap into it. It is easiest to gain resilience when you manage stress and distractions. Managing stress and spending more time on your wellness will help you to live and work in your prime.
Whether you are working from home or dealing with the current situation, take some time to practice wellness both inside and out of work. At Genesis Performance, we can help you reach your optimal health and wellness. Finding the balance between work and personal life can take some strength, which is why it pays to have a professional at hand. Contact Larry today on (805) 372-1977 to get started.
