The Positive Impact of Wellness on Productivity for Teams
The concept of “wellness” is quickly becoming a buzzword in the workplace. While many employers initially adopted wellness initiatives to reduce healthcare costs and improve employee morale, there is now evidence that these programs can also lead to increased productivity. When it comes to productivity, we often focus on efficiency and output. But many don’t realize that wellness is essential in creating healthy, productive teams. Prioritizing wellness increases productivity!
Wellness encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of life; when these are taken care of, employees are better equipped to perform their best. This can be achieved through various initiatives, such as providing flexible working hours, offering fitness classes, nutrition education, and stress management programs, and creating a supportive work culture. These activities can help employees take better care of their physical health, develop healthier lifestyle habits, and learn to cope with stress more effectively.
Encouraging employees to prioritize their wellness can benefit teams in numerous ways. When they are feeling their best, they are more likely to be productive and engaged in their work. This can lead to increased collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Wellness can also lead to lower levels of stress and improved mental health. This can help to reduce absenteeism and improve morale, which can, in turn, boost productivity.
Productivity
When employees have access to resources and support to manage stress, they’re more likely to be productive and creative in the workplace: burnout results when there is chronic, unmanaged stress. Work stressors typically come from increased demands and a lack of resources. Preventing burnout and managing stress is not just about reducing demands and increasing resources; it’s also about teaching and supporting employees how to complete the stress cycle and release stress. Improved stress management increases productivity in the long run. Employees who practice self-care and proper stress management are better equipped to handle their workloads. We cannot function at our highest potential when we are exhausted. When employees are feeling their best, their quality of work is better. When employees feel rested, nourished, and energized, they can concentrate and stay productive for longer periods. Wellness initiatives help to create a culture of respect, trust, and support within teams. Healthy and happy employees are more likely to be productive, engaged, and motivated to achieve their goals.
Increased Morale
When employees feel supported by their employer, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to do their best work. Furthermore, employees who have access to wellness activities may be more willing to take breaks and find time for self-care, leading to increased productivity.
Reduce Employee Absenteeism and Turnover
When employees are encouraged to take care of themselves and engage in activities that promote wellness, they are less likely to become sick or need to take extended time off from work. Furthermore, when employees feel supported by their employer and have access to activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional health, they are more likely to be satisfied with their job and less likely to leave for another position. When employees feel supported, valued, and appreciated, they’re more likely to be engaged and motivated at work, leading. This can lead to higher morale, which can, in turn, lead to better performance. All roads lead to increased productivity.
Examples of wellness initiatives in the workplace
Wellness initiatives can vary depending on the size and needs of an organization. Some examples of wellness initiatives include:
- Provide stress management and mental health resources
- Scheduling monthly or quarterly wellness events, such as guest speakers on stress management, yoga classes, and health screenings
- To schedule a 90-minute workshop on Wellness for the Dental Team, visit here
- Providing access to counseling, coaching, or support groups
- Encourage flexible work schedules, regular breaks, and vacations
- Offer wellness initiatives, nutritious snacks, and access to physical activity
Provide stress management and mental health resources
Stress is a major productivity killer, and when stress becomes chronic and unmanaged, it can lead to burnout. It’s important to offer resources to help employees understand how stress works and how to manage it better. This could look like hiring a wellness consultant or stress management specialist to speak to your team or hosting quarterly workshops. Hosting regular wellness events like yoga classes, health screenings, and nutrition classes can help employees stay informed and engaged. These regular wellness events can also serve as team-building activities, fostering deeper connections, trust, respect, and support.
If you are interested in hosting a wellness workshop for your team, please visit this link. As a group, your team will learn about the science of stress, wellness practices, and how to immediately implement these tools to develop healthier lifestyle habits and learn to cope with stress more effectively. Participants will have a greater understanding of how to reduce stressors, increase stress resilience, and optimize coping strategies to relieve stress in their own lives. Individuals will also learn a short yoga sequence involving chair-side stretches and breathing techniques which can be practiced daily to feel less stress and more energized tranquility.
Mental health is just as important as physical health and a primary key to unlocking stress management. Employers should provide mental health resources, such as access counseling, coaching, or support groups. Numerous virtual counseling platforms make it easy and affordable for anyone to speak with a licensed counselor or therapist, such as Talkspace, BetterHelp, and Doctor on Demand.
Encourage flexible work schedules, regular breaks, and vacations
Allowing employees to work flexible hours can reduce stress and help them better manage their work-life balance.
Taking a break from work can help employees recharge and refocus, so it’s essential to encourage employees to take regular breaks and vacations.
Offer wellness incentives, healthy snacks, and access to physical activity
Encourage employees to stay healthy and active by offering wellness incentives, such as discounted gym memberships or health screenings.
Providing nutritious snacks and meals in the workplace is a great way to ensure that employees get the energy and nutrients they need to stay productive.
Encouraging physical activity during the workday can help boost energy levels and improve focus. This can include anything from stretching breaks to team-building activities.
The modern workplace is changing rapidly and, with it, the expectations of employees. As the demands of work continue to increase, it’s essential to prioritize the wellness of employees to boost their mental and physical health, increase productivity, increase morale, reduce absenteeism and turnover, and improve overall job satisfaction. Incorporating these wellness strategies into the workplace makes employees feel more valued and supported, leading to improved work performance. For employers, investing in workplace wellness is an investment in the future of their employees and their business.
If you are interested in implementing a wellness initiative in your workplace, join me in a 90-minute virtual workshop in which individuals will learn about the science of stress, wellness practices, and how to immediately implement these tools to develop healthier lifestyle habits and learn to cope with stress more effectively. Participants will have a greater understanding of how to reduce stressors, increase stress resilience, and optimize coping strategies to relieve stress in their own lives. Individuals will also learn a short yoga sequence involving chair-side stretches and breathing techniques which can be practiced daily to feel less stress and more energized tranquility.
Schedule you Wellness for the Dental Team Workshop now.
For any questions or concerns, please reach out to Dr. Shivani Kamodia Barto at [email protected].
Photo by Isaac Smith on Unsplash
