Holistic Workplace Wellness

Sometimes, simple changes can produce big results. A new report claims that if working adults added an extra 15-minute walk to their daily routine, the world economy could grow by $100 billion per year.

As researchers continue to look for the best ways to encourage lifelong health, evidence continues to show that walking may be an important foundational habit. In a recent study, increased physical activity was linked to better sleep.

As companies look at ways to encourage employees toward holistic well-being, it’s easy to focus on things like physical activity, nutrition, or financial wellness. However, many may not realize the importance of one foundational health issue: sleep.

In an effort to promote work/life balance, Microsoft held a Work Life Choice Challenge in August. By implementing four-day workweeks, Microsoft Japan saw an impressive 40% jump in productivity.

A new study indicates that people who participate in a community garden reap a host of benefits that go beyond healthy eating. After one year, almost all of the participants reported eating more fruits and vegetables, feeling less stressed, and being more active.

Even companies with robust and engaging wellness programs can still face one particularly challenging problem on the path to high engagement: how to get men to participate.

A recent study found that just two weeks of sedentary behavior resulted in clear negative changes to the body. This demonstrates that the “one and done” approach to physical activity in corporate wellness programs may not be enough to really impact health.

A recent poll reveals that only 52% of American adults plan to get the flu vaccine this year. Companies should look to boost this number, as flu vaccines are one of the few wellness program with a direct return on investment for companies.

Certain occupations have up to three times higher risk of developing diabetes. This has significant implications for employers globally, especially ones in the U.S., where 30.3 million adults have type 2 diabetes and another 84.1 million have prediabetes.