5 Reasons to Improve Employee Wellbeing and Health
Health and wellbeing are probably not the first two words that come to your mind when you think about leadership or executives. Leaders are usually associated with productivity, achievement, and going places. Health and wellness are the opposite – relaxing, recharging, and being calm. We are here to tell you that even if leadership and wellness might sound like two opposites, they need each other. Leaders, and especially executives, must focus on their own health and wellness and find ways to improve employee wellbeing overall. Below are 5 reasons why, which is an extension of our main topic on health and wellness for leaders.
1. People are your most valuable asset
The first and most important reason to improve employee wellbeing is because your team is your most valuable asset. Stop for a second here and think about it. Would everything in your world be possible and the way it is without you and your team? Like it or not, your employees are the center of your business, and as such, you should take care of them and their wellness. This is how you will be able to take care of everyone and everything else – clients, shareholders, the community, etc.
And as the leader of the team, you want to set the example. By focusing on your own health and wellness.
Some might say that this thinking is self-centric and egoistic. It can be if you take it to the extreme. What we are suggesting and talking about is taking care of yourself and making sure you are as healthy as you can be. How else can you serve others if you are not in optimal form?
2. Recharging = higher productivity when working
The second reason you should improve employee wellbeing is the fact that we are not able to drive on an empty tank or battery. You have probably read or heard the analogy from “The Monk who sold his Ferrari”. When you drive and you start running out of gas, you don’t tell to yourself: “I’ll just drive a bit more”. The same should apply to your team’s health and wellness. Don’t wait for tiredness to set in before recharging.
The time your employees spend relaxing and disconnecting is what helps them be at their best when they work. We all need the time off to be able to produce when we actually work. The better the quality of your recharging, the better the quality of your achievement! If this doesn’t convince you to take care of yourself and your team, what could?
3. Increased energy
How we show up on daily basis is impacted by 6 factors:
- Physical
- Mental
- Social
- Environmental
- Emotional
- Spiritual
When we are physically healthy, mentally engaged, socially comfortable, emotionally well, spiritually aligned, and in the right environment, we can perform at our maximum capacity.
So, when thinking about improving employee wellbeing, take into account all 6 factors above. And by helping your team feel better, you increase their energy level. And we all know that a higher energy level is associated with more fun, higher profitability, a sense of fulfillment, and even joy.
4. Longevity
The fourth reason to improve employee wellbeing is longevity. It is true we never know what will happen to us. However, we can also take some control by living healthy and well. There are a myriad of things we can do to not only prolong the life we live but also make the extra years really valuable and alive.
By focusing on your team’s health and wellness you not only add years to their life, you actually reverse the aging process. Science now has proof that certain types of exercise, for example, are helping our bodies regenerate themselves and get younger in a sense. Exercise is actually the miracle pill we have been looking for! And when you combine it with a good diet, stress-free lifestyle, and regular doctor check-ups, you can achieve amazing results and become one of those centenarians the media writes about from time to time.
5. Avoiding sick days
The last reason you should focus on employee wellbing is avoidance of sick days. As people age, common diseases such as high/low blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc., start creeping in. Depending on where your team lives, they could end up with hundreds of dollars of expenses for pills every month and also miss days of work due to sickness.
When you focus on your team’s health and wellbeing, you have the chance to avoid all of the above and even more. Yes, we all catch the flu from time to time. However, by creating an environment and culture that promotes health and wellness, and by increasing everyone’s energy level, you can help your team stay healthier for longer. Can you imagine the impact a healthy and happy team has on your bottom line and overall work culture?
Note: We are not advocating against pills and modern medicine. The point here is that some things can be prevented with a good lifestyle. Do consult with your doctor before making any big lifestyle changes, including starting a workout routine, changing your diet, and discontinuing the use of pills.
How do you improve employee wellbeing?
What other benefits do you see in prioritizing your health and wellness as a leader? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
And also, share how you actually improve employee wellbeing?
Increasing the energy level is one tool you can use.
Having team challenges related to exercise is another way.
You can also switch some of the donuts with veggies or steaks sometimes 🙂
There are many opportunities to improve employee wellbeing. Some options will need an investment of money and time. Others can be done quickly and without significant financial support.
It all starts with actually wanting to improve employee wellbeing. The good news is that as the team leader, you are the one in control. We hope the reasons above convinced you to take action in the direction of your team’s health and wellness. And if you are not convinced yet, share in the comments why.
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