Global Employee Health and Fitness Month in May is an opportunity to recognize the benefits and consider the evidence supporting the value of employee wellness programs. A recent article by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion highlighted five reasons and the corresponding research to support investing in employee wellness:
- Healthy, active employees incur lower health costs
- Employees who take advantage of wellness are more productive
- Physically active employees are healthier
- Wellness programs inspire important behavior changes
- Small business owners may be able to take advantage of tax incentives for workplace wellness programs
Self-care through wellness is one of many methods with potential to help combat the pressures and stress of the workplace environment. Specifically in the healthcare industry, burnout has been a growing concern. The Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality’s Annual Perspective 2015 highlighted the topic and a recent article in the Annals of Internal Medicine addressed the need for evidence-based strategies to alleviate the problem.
Those with chronic disease face additional challenges for managing and maintaining healthy lifestyles. Healthcare professionals are not immune to chronic disease and may also be struggling to be realistic with their self-management efforts. Stress, inactivity, poor eating habits and smoking are all risk factors for chronic diseases, including cardiac health and diabetes. Most people, including healthcare professionals, struggle with making and breaking lifestyle habits. Tools and resources are available to assist with self-management and promote setting goals, establishing accountability and tracking progress, which ultimately lead to success.
Need more information on evidence-based self-management programs for the workplace or community? Great Plains Quality Innovation Network has master trainers to facilitate and assist with enrollment in self-management education for chronic disease and diabetes.