{"id":7899,"date":"2019-01-18T11:40:16","date_gmt":"2019-01-18T19:40:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.knowledgecity.com\/blog\/?p=7899"},"modified":"2024-04-09T14:26:23","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T21:26:23","slug":"health-wellness-trends-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.knowledgecity.com\/blog\/health-wellness-trends-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 4 Health and Wellness Trends for 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Employee health and wellness programs are moving from the realm of fringe benefits to being central to competitive strategy on several levels. More and more business leaders are finding that the well-being of employees is the foundation of an organization\u2019s overall performance. Consequently, wellness programs are evolving from being extra perks to being cornerstones to many organizations’ business strategy. Here are four of the top health and wellness trends that will be hitting hard in 2019.<\/p>\n

\"Silhouette<\/a>1. Customized Approach<\/h3>\n

Increasingly, in all areas of business, we are finding that a one-size-fits-all approach actually ends up not working for anyone at all. Every organization\u2019s demographics, goals, culture and vision are different. These factors can even vary from location to location of the same business. This means that each workplace has different perspectives on what constitutes wellness and varying health considerations. Consequently, the first step for creating an effective health and wellness program is identifying exactly what wellness means for your company and location, as well as what supportive measures that your specific employees need.<\/p>\n

The needs and demands of the company need to be taken within the context of serving the whole employee. For example, a construction company is going to have inherent physical demands on a large portion of its workforce. So, the company\u2019s wellness program needs to address fitness and safety. Meanwhile, a tech company that relies on intellect and innovation is going to place a larger emphasis on emotional intelligence.<\/p>\n

2. Stress Management<\/h3>\n

Awareness of the significant impact that stress has on physical health is more prevalent than ever. However, it continues to be an issue with engagement, productivity and performance. A recent Gallup study<\/a> found that about two-thirds of employees now experience work burnout from stress. A large contributor to this is the fact that our mobile devices make us readily available at all times.<\/p>\n

Chronic, unmanaged stress can take a serious toll on health and mental well-being. Research<\/a> indicates that chronic stress can trigger or worsen mental illness symptoms like anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n

Work stress costs U.S. companies more than $300 billion annually in absenteeism, turnover and lower productivity, as well as medical, legal and insurance costs. There is also evidence<\/a> that presenteeism can cost companies more than twice as much as absenteeism and medical costs combined. Presenteeism is when an employee goes to work but underperforms due to stress or illness.<\/p>\n

Stress can cripple even the most efficient of organizations. Consequently, helping employees to be happier, healthier and more in control is paramount to achieving organizational goals.<\/p>\n

3. Holistic Health and Wellness Programs<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re just looking to meet minimal health and wellness program requirements, then the methodology and approach is probably of little concern. However, happy, healthy employees are more engaged and productive, as well as have a greater sense of job satisfaction and purpose.<\/p>\n

Research<\/a> suggests that to attain the highest possible total level of well-being, health and wellness has to address eight different wellness factors.<\/p>\n