Addressing the Challenge of Promoting Wellness in High-Stress Industries
In high-stress industries, promoting wellness is crucial for maintaining a productive and healthy workforce. We’ve gathered six expert tips from CEOs and Founders, ranging from encouraging ‘Walking Meetings’ to promote a healthy work-life balance, to guiding companies in fostering a culture of well-being.
- Encourage ‘Walking Meetings’
- Provide Meditation Spaces and Apps
- Offer Onsite Wellness Services
- Implement Mindfulness Breaks
- Lead by Example in Wellness
- Promote Healthy Work-Life Balance
Encourage ‘Walking Meetings’
One effective method to promote wellness in high-stress industries is to encourage ‘walking meetings.’ At PRESS, we’ve implemented this practice to foster creativity and to sneak in some physical activity amidst busy schedules. It’s surprising how a change in scenery and a bit of movement can refresh perspectives and boost productivity. By incorporating this simple yet effective practice, companies can demonstrate a commitment to holistic employee well-being while encouraging a culture that values mental and physical health. This approach supports stress management and enhances overall workplace satisfaction and team dynamics.
Rachel Beider
CEO, PRESS Modern Massage
Provide Meditation Spaces and Apps
If a company has in-office employees, give them a meditation room just like you’d give them a break room. There is no better way to promote wellness than to put a designated place for it right in front of people and encourage them to use it. It’s a clear sign that you care about their ability to relieve stress and find calmness, clarity, and awareness, as well as cultivate inner peace.
Companies with work-from-home employees might consider providing meditation apps for workers and allowing designated times during work hours for mindfulness breaks. Overall, the best way to promote wellness in a high-stress industry is to make it a priority from the top down.
Lia Munson
Co-Founder, Resilient Stories
Offer Onsite Wellness Services
Since our office can sometimes feel like a pressure cooker, especially at certain times throughout the year, we have frequently brought in massage and stretch therapists to work out those stress knots, muscle pains, and tension headaches. The employees love it, and it also helps to build morale. Pair this with an organic juice bar or a fruit-hydration station, and everyone seems to have a wonderful week.
Tina Severance-Fonte
Wellness Coordinator, Broward Schools & Private Consulting
Implement Mindfulness Breaks
In my experience with high-stress business roles, having dedicated mindfulness ‘bubbles’ makes a huge difference in limiting burnout. I notice some of my peers using their break time on phones, scrolling on social media, or going through personal emails.
During the workday, I have challenged myself to engage with my phone as little as possible. I replace this time with five-minute mindfulness breaks where I focus on re-centering. Taking these breaks to perform quick meditations or breathing exercises helps me calm down and feel refreshed.
Since I started my own wellness blog, I learned about a 30-second breathing technique called the physiological sigh. It involves a deep inhale, directly followed by a smaller inhale, and then an extra-long exhale. It has been shown to lower stress and heart rates. It can be helpful in releasing built-up stress and tension in high-stakes situations and calm oneself from a state of anxiety.
Personally, I found it helps me re-center and disengage from work enough to re-enter it refreshed minutes later. My brain gets a break, I feel relaxed, and as a result, I am more effectively able to restart and re-engage into a flow state.
Jack Lovely
Owner, Vitallis
Lead by Example in Wellness
As a wellness consultant and corporate wellness program designer, I believe a top-down mindset, beliefs, and actions matter. If the leaders of an organization are not leading by example, taking care of their wellness, and maintaining their boundaries, then it’s difficult to make big shifts in culture.
Katrina Paraskevopoulos
Founder, Eyia Retreats
Promote Healthy Work-Life Balance
Promoting wellness in high-stress industries hinges on encouraging employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This means setting reasonable expectations for work hours and giving employees the flexibility to prioritize their personal well-being outside of work.
Companies can also offer benefits such as flexible working hours, remote work options, and paid time off for mental health days. By promoting a healthy work-life balance, companies can prevent burnout and improve overall employee well-being, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
Besides, this sends a message that the company values its employees’ physical and mental health. Employees who feel supported in achieving work-life balance are more likely to be motivated and engaged at work, resulting in a positive impact on the company’s bottom line.
By prioritizing employee wellness, companies can create a healthier and happier workforce. This not only benefits employees but also contributes to a positive company culture and reputation within the industry.
Brandon Beatty
Real Estate Investor, Ready House Buyer
Related Articles
- How to Shape Health and Wellness at the Workplace – Beni.fit
- Implementing Workplace Wellness Programs: The Benefits – Beni.fit
- 6 Energizing Health and Fitness Perks for Workplace Wellness – Beni.fit