6 Ways To Celebrate Global Employee Health & Fitness Month

Changing health and wellness habits is a big deal. It takes time, energy, effort, dedication and determination. As providers of workplace wellness programs, employers have a great opportunity to encourage and support employees on their way to wellness.

May is Global Employee Health & Fitness Month (GEHFM), an international initiative that prioritizes health and fitness in the workplace. By adopting this wellness program in the workplace, employers show that they recognize the importance of employee health as a driver of workplace satisfaction and overall job performance.

Here are six ways to get your team excited about adopting healthy habits during Global Employee Health & Fitness Month.

 

1. Get moving

Encourage employees to move more this month. Whether that’s taking the stairs instead of the elevator, riding a bike to work, or holding a walking team meeting outdoors, employees can workout while they work!

 

2. Measure health

Simple fitness trackers, either personal or company provided, will help employees track steps and stay mindful of their physical activity. An on-site health and wellness fair is a great way to offer initial fitness assessments. (Recommend a visit with a primary health care provider with any questions they may have prior to participation.)

 

3. Set goals

Walking 10,000 steps a day is a pretty common goal, but why not shake it up? Initiate a Take the Stairs challenge, with goals ranging from climbing a mile (about 2,000 steps) to a marathon (52,400 steps). Then offer prizes as they meet each goal. Goals can also be personal, set by each employee. What’s important is that they are excited, engaged and encouraged to stay motivated.

 

4. Make a plan

It’s one thing to set goals. It’s another to meet them. Once a workplace wellness program is in place, employees need a roadmap to follow. Like business goals, wellness goals should be S.M.A.R.T.: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely.

 

5. Make or break habits

Employee health and fitness month is a great time to implement programs that can create lifelong healthy habits. From smoking cessation to replacing junk food with healthy snacks, this is the opportunity to offer employees support for breaking bad habits and making healthy ones.

 

6. Show support

Studies show that employees who feel supported by management are more likely to engage with workplace wellness programs. Nutrition education, encouraging physical activity during the workday, and providing healthy snacks for the office are just a few ways companies can support employee health and wellness goals.

 

 

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