Popular wellness programs

Many businesses have chosen to implement wellness programs within their companies. Wellness programs can include anything from free cholesterol screenings to smoking cessation programs. Oftentimes, these seminars and screenings take place within the company's office building, allowing all employees to take part.

Wellness programs are a benefit for everyone. By promoting wellness, employees are less likely to be sick or hospitalized, and workplace productivity increases as well. A recent study profiled a company that offered a wide range of wellness benefits. As a result of their program, their health care costs were 14% below the national average, and their absenteeism was 27% lower. Implementing effective and useful wellness benefits are beneficial to all.

Popular wellness programs for businesses include:

• Weight loss programs. These are typically seminars and programs that offer tips on how to lose weight effectively and safely and keep it off permanently. Obesity is a contributing factor in many health problems, including heart disease and the onset of diabetes.


• Competitions. Another popular wellness program comes in the form of a healthy competition. For example, a business will challenge all employees to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Whoever completes that goal wins a prize.


• Smoking cessation. Smoking cessation programs help smokers learn to quit. Approximately 25% of all smokers will die of lung disease, and many also develop heart problems and mouth and throat cancers. Smokers have been shown in some studies to be less effective workers as well, as they tend to take more breaks than nonsmokers.


• Health screenings. These often include blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, and in some cases body fat percentage as well. Oftentimes, these types of screenings are also accompanied with useful tips from professionals about how to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and body fat, three contributing factors to heart disease.


• Relaxation techniques. Stress in the workplace is a very real thing, and businesses are recognizing and making an effort to reduce their employees' stress levels. Stress management techniques such as relaxation and visualization are taught, and some employers offer yoga classes or massages as wellness perks.


• Cash incentives. Some employers even offer cash incentives based on a point system. By participating in and implementing the tools taught during the wellness programs, such as fitness and exercise classes, employees can earn points and redeem them for cash.


• Discounts. Discounts are a popular wellness program as well. Many people would like to join a gym, but don't want to spend the money. Some employers offer discounts to health clubs. Many health clubs will work with a company to provide


• Safe lifting classes. In workplaces where employees have to lift heavy objects, classes teach them how to properly lift objects in order to minimize back and muscle damage. This type of wellness program should be held fairly frequently, and whenever a new employee who will be doing heavy lifting is required.


• Online wellness programs. Some insurance policies offer online programs that can help policyholders assess their own risks for certain diseases and conditions. In addition, some offer Live Chat messaging with healthcare professionals who can listen to symptoms and offer advice.

Businesses that take their employees health seriously often have more productive workplaces and lower costs. Wellness programs are a great way to help improve and encourage your employees' health. These are a few of the most popular wellness programs for businesses.