I invited another successful, well credentialed professional to add credibility to my ramblings. Remember, most of what I discuss is beneficial in the workplace and in times of trouble. Physical wellness is closely related to the topic of metal wellness  I discuss so often and will serve as a great help to anyone willing to pursue it. Please sit back, relax and enjoy Mike’s unique insight on success and wellness.

Mike Taylor MHE, CHES
A.C.E Certified personal Trainer

Mike is a native of Southeast Idaho, born and raised in the Idaho Falls area. He graduated from Ricks College (Brigham Young University Idaho) with an Associate degree in International Studies. He went on to graduate from Idaho State University’s Kasiska College of Health Professions with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education and Sports Science and became a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Mike continued his education and went on to a Master’s degree in Health Education. Mike has made his home in Eastern Idaho for the last 19 years working in the university setting, health and fitness industry, public speaking, Public Health and personal training. Mike has a passion for endurance sports such as Triathlons, marathons, and Ultra trail running. He has participated in hundreds of races and coached/trained for thousands of hours, many of which have been professionally sponsored. Please contact him on Facebook at Mike Thetrainer Taylor or check out this website at drdrewbazier.com or the Facebook Healthy Made Easy group page.

When Google opened up in the 90s, it took a fresh approach to employee satisfaction. With the workforce (and society in general) becoming so sedentary, they decided to add a workplace wellness program. Their philosophy was that to get the best talent, they had to make their office a place people wanted to work. Exercise brought employees together, improved morale, and made them more productive. Now, companies across the country are trying to copy Google’s success and are establishing workplace wellness programs of their own.

It’s a smart move. Now let’s examine the top 9 benefits of a workplace wellness program.

1 Fun

Sometimes work gets boring, repetitive and draining. This drains morale and lowers productivity. Bad for your health, right?! Try mixing things up by trying out the activities and initiatives going on in your work’s wellness program that interests you. That 5k challenge? Go for it!!

2 Improved Productivity

Engaging in workplace wellness activities, like exercise and eating well, increases employee productivity and performance. Your brain will be better focused for tasks, and you’ll feel more energized and motivated to accomplish work. No more falling asleep and feeling burned out. That’s what exercise and nutrition does to us, my friends!

3 Happier

According to the AFLAC 2012 Workforce Report, employees who took part in a workplace wellness program are more satisfied at their jobs than those who don’t partake. The people who engaged in their companies program were generally more content overall with work related factors. This is because healthy living doesn’t just make you look good, but nourishes the way you feel as well. Healthy living can make you happy, people.

4 Builds Community

Group activities that involve health and fitness will get you connected not only more to your company, but to your fellow employees as well. You’ll start to form relationships that haven’t been available to you before because having a wellness program in place engages all members of the company. That being said, everyone will benefit from the shared experiences and your social health can thrive.

5 Lower Healthcare Costs

If you’re at a workplace that promotes exercise and taking care of your health for hours a day, your whole well-being will benefit. This in turn makes you less likely to get sick and injured, saving you money in the long run. Study after study confirms that workplace wellness programs reduce healthcare costs. Less doctor visits, less pills to take, less medicine. So keep the heart disease at bay by participating in your work wellness program!

6  Sense Of Accomplishment

Many work wellness programs feature competitions between employees. Who can walk the most steps in a month, get 7 hours of sleep, or cut out alcohol for a week? Set some goals and try to engage in your work’s healthy atmosphere while you reap the benefits of accomplishing a healthy task.    

7 Improved Physical Fitness

Taking part in the different physical activities that your work has to offer can greatly improve your physical fitness and overall well-being. Hitting the gym during your lunch break or participating in yoga classes twice a week can have many evident benefits. Whatever it may be, open yourself up to the variety of physical activities your work has to offer and say hello to strength and muscle toning!

8 Weight Loss

You would be surprised at how much impact changing your daily work routine can be on your health. When you start to focus on eating the right foods, exercising, and taking care of your mental health, the extra weight you’ve been carrying can shed off faster than before. Sometimes a workplace program will offer financial benefits for their weight loss initiatives so take advantage of the many opportunities to improve your weight loss goals.

9 Less Stress

One of the key factors in health and wellness is learning stress management. Especially if you work in a high demand job, things can get difficult and it’s best to tackle them at the source. When we are stressed, we are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors and destroy our mental health. Activities that encourage walking meetings, mindfulness, social engagement, and more can all help an employee feel relieved of daily built up stress. Just 30 minutes of low intensity exercise will get you feeling more relaxed in no time.