Workplace Wellness Whisperer – (Mar 5)

Hello Wellness Seeker,

We are nearly through the first quarter of 2022, how are those workplace wellness resolutions going?

In my opinion, wellness has a lot more to do with small habits, thoughtful choices, and intentional time management than sugar cereal makeovers. The decisions we make in the workplace, for both ourselves and our teammates, are just as critical to our joy as those we make at home.

Does workplace wellness improve your health, your business, your team, or your bottom line?

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Winning with Wellness report, workplace wellness programs actively improve the health and wellbeing of employees and well-designed intentional wellness initiatives have a return on investment of $1.50 to $3 per dollar spent over two to nine years. This ROI statistic is no match to the transformational impact that even small wellness initiatives can have on workplace culture, productivity, and overall health.

I invite you to benefit from my daily wellness tips on my YouTube channel to help you and your employees thrive in the remainder of 2022!

Here’s is a summary of this week’s videos that you can listen and incorporate at your workplace starting today.

Tip #1. Sitting is New Smoking

Sitting impacts your health in a variety of ways. With more of us working remotely, you may feel like all you do is sit all day long! Research shows sitting for five-plus hours daily is equivalent to smoking 1.25 packs of cigarettes. Another study showed a sedentary lifestyle may put you at risk for early death. When possible, get up, stretch, host a walking meeting, or do a mini-workout to get your heart rate up and circulation going.

Tip #2. How to stop reacting & start responding to STRESS?

Did you know that we often confuse our stressors with our stress response?

Although we are not in control of our stressors like our boss, jobs, partners and even kids, but we are in complete control on how we respond to these stressors.

1. Before reacting PAUSE and allow your initial reaction to pass.

2. TUNE into your emotions.

3. ASK for divine guidance.

4. Find a healthy outlet like movement.

5. See the Bigger Picture – will this matter in 1yr, 5yrs or 10 years from now.

6. Recognize and forgive your emotional triggers.

Tip #3. SMILE For Optimal Wellbeing

Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. Difficult? Isn’t it?
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, other natural painkillers, and serotonin. Together, these brain chemicals make us feel good from head to toe. Not only do they elevate your mood, but they also relax your body and mind.
Smiling is a natural drug. When you smile, immune function improves because you are more relaxed and it releases certain neurotransmitters. Laugh out loud or laughter therapy are popular meditation strategies. We are naturally drawn to people who smile. Smile and begin your day to unleash the universal power of positivity that sends the message “Life is good!” to your brain.
I challenge you to smile at a stranger today!

Tip #4. Get Your Body Moving with Chair Yoga

How are you moving your body throughout the workday?

It’s important to take physical and mental breaks throughout your workday. Even though I don’t recommend it sometimes, it’s difficult to leave the office and go for a walk. So the next best thing is chair yoga. Try these simple and quick exercises, do about 20 repetitions 3-5 times throughout your work day.

🔥Hot Tip: Gather a few work colleagues and use a meeting room and do these together – for moral support and make it more fun!

For more insightful information on how yoga can benefit for a skilful living, listen to the Self-Care Goddess Podcast episode #34 with Bhaskar Goswami.

Tip #5. Expressing Love for Optimal Wellbeing

Have you showed some love to someone today?

It’s important to show others the love that we want for ourselves. Begin your day with a loving gesture towards a friend, family, neighbour, colleague or even a pet. You can show love to the universe in any small way possible that would add value and give back to society.

The key is sincerity and to give love without any expectation of a return. Receiving and expressing love makes our emotional health stronger. Love, affection and caring can all be shown in several different ways. All of these ways need to be meaningful to you, and useful. Start today. The world needs you. So go ahead send that text, email or make that call to that loved one for both yours and their health and optimal wellbeing.

If you’re ready to leverage your workplace wellness strategy and explore how to optimize individual, team and your company’s performance, book your complimentary Workplace Wellness call here.

References:

https://www.uschamber.com/assets/archived/images/022436_labr_wellness_report_opt.pdf