Good mental and physical health is known to be influenced by three factors: diet, exercise and low stress levels. Research has shown that when one aspect is lacking, it may affect overall wellness.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has reported that organizations should be concerned about their staff’s eating habits because a healthy diet may cut risk of serious illnesses like cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Additionally, good nutrition can provide individuals with a more positive mood, higher self-esteem and lower anxiety and stress, the CCOH stated.
This may be the reason why a recent survey found that 40 percent of U.S. businesses have policies or practices in place to encourage healthy eating in the workplace, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.
Of the organizations that made efforts to provide and encourage healthier foods, 97 percent reported that their staff responded favorably or with great enthusiasm to the effort.
Achieving optimal employee wellness requires a multi-faced strategy that addresses all of the factors that affect well-being. Employee wellness programs that provide tools and resources for stress management as well as tips for healthy living may help companies achieve their goals of reduced workplace stress and strong employee performance.
