Living On WELL Street

Should Dependents Be Included In Corporate Wellness Initiatives?

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:46:00 GMT

Should dependents be included in corporate wellness initiatives?

Any company that offers health and wellness benefits, regardless of whether dependents are covered or not, should do all that it can to promote the same benefits in employees’ homes. Two of the main reasons why participation should be encouraged are: 1.) Most healthcare decisions are made by women for the entire family. If the woman in is not the employee, her influence on the employee’s health choices must be taken into account. 2.) The support of family members at home can go a long way toward ensuring the success of an employee’s wellness efforts. This support is magnified when family members can actively participate in the wellness activity.

Live WELL!

M. J.

What’s the Real R.O.I. From Workplace Wellness Programs?

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:33:00 GMT

What’s the real R.O.I. from workplace wellness programs?

Worksite wellness R.O.I. (return on investment) is to business what “happiness" is to an individual - you can’t accurately measure it, but you know when it’s there. Yet, while it is difficult to measure all the benefits that result from a wellness program (like gains in productivity and improved morale), employees' belief that the employer is concerned about their health and wellbeing can transform the organization, one person at a time, and result in a workplace culture that is more positive, energetic and performs at a higher level. At that point, if an employer still needs proof of a program's financial value, it should be pretty easy to find, e.g. days absent, turnover, production levels, medical costs, etc.

Live WELL!

M. J.

Can a Restaurant be a Healthy Workplace for Employees?

Thu, 17 May 2012 07:20:00 GMT

First-hand experience has taught me that a restaurant can be a challenging place for creating and/or maintaining an environment that nurtures employee health and wellbeing. With 12.9 million employees, restaurants are one of the country’s largest private-sector employers. The National Restaurant Association reports that restaurant-industry job growth has outpaced the nation’s economy for the past 12 consecutive years and estimates that 1.4 million new positions will be added in the next decade. Other industry facts include:

93% of the 970,000 U.S. restaurants have fewer than 50 employees.
70% of eating-and-drinking place establishments are single-unit operations.
50% of all adults have worked in the restaurant industry at some point in their lives, and one-third got their first job experience in a restaurant.
80% of restaurant owners said their first job in the restaurant industry was an entry-level position.

Since restaurants employ approximately 8% of the U.S. workforce, and one-half of all Americans will be employed there at some time in their lives, I suggest that the restaurant industry should be a leader in workplace health promotion. I say that while recognizing that restaurants face unique challenges, including:

a high percentage of workers who are part-time employees
a lack of employee loyalty that contributes to a high turnover rate
management that is not motivated to act, since there is a perceived lack of return on investment when health benefits are not offered and replacement workers are readily available
language and cultural barriers that often exist
employees who demonstrate a higher-than-normal incidence of unhealthy lifestyle habits

Wellness programs in restaurants have been as hard to find as calorie information. However, the future promises change. Pressure is coming, from the federal government on down, to engage employees (in every industry) in healthy lifestyle behaviors. The workplace will become more and more the means for communicating the social change needed to address the obesity epidemic (and its related health consequences) that threatens our country’s financial stability.

A recent article in Workforce.com, “Successful Wellness Programs Hinge on Emotional Well-Being” (Lisa Beyer, 4/23/12), shared how a chain of burrito restaurants in Boston promotes well-being among its 300 employees, most of whom are young and Spanish-speaking. The chain, Boloco, engages employees in developing life skills and encourages them to participate with co-workers in activities outside of work; activities that create a sense of belonging and add meaning to their lives. This kind of emotional support is vital to a creating and sustaining a healthy lifestyle.

Boloco is an example of what can be accomplished to boost the health and well-being of employees in the restaurant industry. Boloco recognized that their most important asset, their employees, were as important to their future as the food they served. Without spending a dime, restaurants across America can follow Boloco’s example and create work environments that encourage health and well-being in all employees.

Here are a few ideas for creating a restaurant environment where happy, healthy and productive employees can thrive:

Ask employees how things could be improved at work (this might be all you need to do! Once employees have a voice, and their opinion is valued, ideas will flow).
Get to know employees - find out their personal “stories” (watch productivity soar when employees know you care - remember the John Maxwell quote: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.”).
Provide workshops on health and wellness (there are all sorts of experts in your community who will share their knowledge for free).
Encourage fun activities outside of work, e.g. company picnics, form teams to compete in walking/running events, attend cultural events, etc.
Praise employees for a job well done (restaurant employees are some of the hardest working people in the American workforce, be generous with pats on the back!).
Create a wellness team that is representative of the entire restaurant, e.g. management, kitchen, wait staff, etc. and let them guide the company’s wellness efforts.
Implement fun wellness activities that encourage a healthy lifestyle, e.g. walking programs, healthy eating, stress management etc. (send me your email address and I will provide you with my digital book containing 45 engaging activities).
Share nutritional information and teach employees how and why to eat healthy.
Create an annual calendar of events/rituals, focused on health and wellness, that will create a sense of continuity and a spirit of belonging.
Recognize wellness champions at work - employees whose example inspires others.
Offer flu shots and/or health screenings.
Share financial information and organizational goals with employees, and help them understand how they contribute to the success of the restaurant.

With the exception of the flu shots and health screenings, all of the ideas mentioned above can be implemented at little or no cost. If you need more suggestions, or help getting started, contact me at: michaelw@wellstreetusa.com. The restaurant industry can be a leader in improving the health and well-being of the American workforce. Let’s do it - one restaurant at a time!

Live WELL!

M. J.

Can a Worksite Wellness Program be Successful in a Small Company?

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:33:00 GMT

Question: Wellness programming ideas and successes are abundant for the large self insured companies. My clients are primarily under 200, fully insured and in the manufacturing or constructiion industry. Does anyone have a valuable case study for that size and demographic?

The ideas applied and success enjoyed in large, self-insured, businesses can be realized in small, fully-insured, companies. Whether big or small, worksite wellness is about improving an “individual’s” health and wellbeing, and creating a work culture that encourages and supports it. A small company that values wellness, because of the worth it places on its greatest asset - its employees, can realize “success" more quickly than a larger organization. The example of a few employees, who embrace lifestyle behavior changes, can have a profound impact on co-workers in a small business. Instead of working through layers of management, or silos of bureaucracy, the small business lets you work on the front lines where change happens. My advice is to tailor best-practices to the real needs and interests of the people you are working with - they will give you valuable feedback that will lead to great ideas and success!

Live WELL!

M. J.

Oldies, But Goodies - Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda

Wed, 02 May 2012 14:12:00 GMT

Popular Chicago columnist, Julie Deardorff, recently shared an update on two icons of fitness, Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda. In an article, "Pharaohs of fitness” (Tribune Newspapers, 4/18/12), Deardorff interviewed the 64 year old Simmons and 76 year old Fonda. More than 30 years after becoming the faces of aerobic exercise, both still remain committed to a very active lifestyle. Simmons’ full schedule includes: 1 ½ hour daily workouts, conducting classes in his Beverly Hills studio and numerous speaking engagements. Fonda is preparing a DVD on yoga for seniors.

I first heard of Richard Simmons in the early 80’s. He was conducting a workout session in a Michigan farm field. Out of curiosity, I joined a few hundred people who gathered to experience Simmons’ engaging approach to exercise. At the time, I was in my mid-20’s and a body-building disciple of Arnold Schwarzenegger - the antithesis of Richard Simmons!

My introduction to Richard Simmons that day influenced the rest of my life. His positive approach and genuine encouragement was infectious, and inspired in me a desire to help others improve their physical wellbeing. 30 years later, Simmons continues to be an example worth emulating. Thank you Richard!

Live WELL!

M. J.

Worksite Wellness - Game On!

Tue, 01 May 2012 19:32:00 GMT

An article in today’s Wall Street Journal, “Pitting Employees Against Each Other … for Health”, by Anna Wilde Mathews, looks at the growing influence of digital games in the workplace to encourage healthier lifestyles. While I believe that a gaming approach can be effective when used judiciously as part of a larger strategy, i.e. a contest that encourages heart-healthy behaviors during American Heart Month, I question the sustainability of competitive gaming to achieve improved employee health and wellbeing.

Worksite wellness programs should help as many employees as possible to be happier, healthier and more productive. That is best encouraged by a supportive workplace culture that makes healthy choices easy and unhealthy choices difficult. “Beating the competition” seems at odds with a wellness program that wants everyone to be “winners”. When a person’s, or team’s, best effort is repeatedly not good enough, when compared to another’s performance, discouragement can set in and enthusiasm wane. I expect research to show that gaming, as a wellness motivator, has a short life span.

When employees are truly recognized and appreciated as the most important assets of a company, individual health and wellbeing is understood in its proper context. Unlike a competitive contest, everyone wins when the collective “personal bests” of individuals contribute to a higher performing organization.

If a competitive game can serve to heighten interest and participation in a wellness activity, consider using it on occasion. However, recognize that there are no “losers” when progress is made toward living a healthier lifestyle.

Live WELL!

M. J.

Don’t Worry, Be Healthy

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:54:00 GMT

…and Happy! Studies show that the most optimistic people are half as likely to suffer a heart attack compared with the least optimistic. An article in USA Today, “Happy? Positive outlook may be good for your heart” (Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press, 4/18/12), suggests that being upbeat may protect against heart disease. Julia Boehm, lead researcher on the subject at the Harvard School of Public Health, "found that people with a better sense of well-being tend to have healthier blood pressure, cholesterol and weight, and are more likely to exercise, eat healthier, get enough sleep and avoid smoking.”

The unanswered question is what comes first, optimism or healthy behaviors? Does a sunny disposition lead to a healthy lifestyle? Or, does a healthy lifestyle contribute to a positive disposition? The leading expert on the subject is Dr. Martin Seligman. He states that “Optimism is a learned skill. Once learned, it increases achievement at work and improves physical health.” ("What You Can Change And What You Can’t - The Complete Guide to Successful Self-Improvement"). Seligman suggests that, “optimism is about changeability.” When we learn to “dispute” pessimistic thoughts that we have, we feel better about ourselves and want to keep doing it. It can transform our moods and behaviors. How optimistic are you? Take the “Learned Optimism Test” to find out.

A proven way to improve optimism is to simply smile. Try it today. Perform "a random act of optimism” on some unsuspecting person and spread the health!

Live WELL Today!

M. J.

A FREE Worksite Wellness Assessment Tool To Improve Health, Happiness and Productivity in Every Workplace

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:19:00 GMT

“…(when) companies are able to take initiatives to make their employees healthier, to give them incentives and mechanisms to improve their wellness and to prevent disease, companies see their bottom lines improve. . .” - President Barack Obama

Building a Healthier Chicago, in partnership with the Midwest Business Group on Health and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce the launch of a FREE online Assessment tool to help employers gauge their employee wellness initiatives. The tool, which can be accessed at www.HealthierChicago.org, was developed by a committee of leading experts in health benefits and worksite wellness and is available to any employer who is striving to make their workplaces healthier and to increase their bottom line.

The Assessment was developed in conjunction with a Worksite Wellness Guide that provides abundant no-cost resources to help employers develop or enhance their current wellness initiatives. Whether you are just starting out, or want to make improvements to an established program, the Guide is a comprehensive resource that provides everything you need to build and sustain a successful program.

Participating employers will be recognized annually for demonstrating a commitment to worksite wellness, as a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Gold Plus Winner.

Building a Healthier Chicago is certain there is no tool better equipped to help you help your employees and your business’ bottom line by cultivating a culture of health and wellness within your organization or business. Visit www.HealthierChicago.org to access your FREE Assessment today.

Live WELL Today!

M. J.

Healthy Behavior Checklist from RealAge.com

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:09:00 GMT

Doctors Roizen and Oz (“Unhealthy Lifestyle Riskier Than Genetics”, realage.com, 4/9/12) advise us to be more concerned about our lifestyle than out genetics. The doctors suggest that we can cut our risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke by more than 60% if we practice the following healthy behaviors:

- Don’t smoke or hang around people who do.

- Be physically active; walk 10,000 steps a day!
- Keep blood pressure at 115/76.
- Keep your triglycerides at 100 or less; HDL at 60 or above, LDL under 100,

and hs C-reactive protein at 1 or less.

- Keep blood glucose level around 85 in the morning before breakfast.
- Floss regularly and see a dentist every six months.
- Maintain a healthy weight, a body mass index of 18.5-24.9.
- Avoid the five food felons: trans fats, saturated fats, added sugars, any syrups,

and any grain but 100 percent whole grain. If they’re in the first five ingredients

on a nutritional label (excluding parentheticals), don’t eat that food.

- Talk with your doc about taking two baby aspirins every day: for guys 35+; gals 40+.

- Have a hobby/activity you really love.

Live WELL, Today!

M. J.

Facebook At Your Own Risk!

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:04:00 GMT

This headline grabbed my attention today:

“Public Survey Conducted by The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt Finds Facebook Use Impacts the Way Many People Feel About Their Bodies”

The study resulted from a national survey of 600 Facebook users between 16 and 40 years old. The purpose of the study was to measure how social media influences body image. Here are some of the findings:

51% of those surveyed reported that viewing themselves on Facebook made them uncomfortable with their body and weight.
32% said they feel sad when comparing Facebook photos of themselves to their friend’s photos.
44% wish they had the same body or weight as a friend when looking at photos.
37% feel they need to change specific parts of their body when comparing their bodies to friend’s bodies in photos.
44% said they are always conscious when attending social events that photos of them might get posted on Facebook.
43% will avoid having people photograph them at a social event if they don’t feel they look their best.
Only 25% of respondents said they are happy with their current body and weight.
69% said they would like to lose weight.
17% said they have engaged in binge eating with 7 percent reporting that they have purged.
12% said they currently have or have had an eating disorder.
8% said they have thought they may have an eating disorder.

The article interested me for a couple reasons. First, I recently experienced a friend viewing herself in a tagged Facebook photo and proclaiming that it was the worst photo ever taken of her and that she was immediately going on a diet to lose weight. Her reaction gave validity to the study’s findings, however, her "plan of action” was a positive outcome that the study did not consider.

Secondly, the study prompted me to consider that, if seeing one’s self in a photo provides a “look in the mirror” experience, Facebook can serve as the impetus to live a healthier lifestyle - as it does in building self-esteem through increased social interaction. We are confronted with our personal image all day long, and we are bombarded with glamorous images for us to compare ourselves with, if we choose. The “choice” is the issue. The Center for Eating Disorders’ associate director, Dr. Steven Crawford, puts it in proper perspective:

“As people spend more time thinking about what’s wrong with their bodies, less time is spent on the positive realm and engaging in life in meaningful and fulfilling ways. When people become more concerned with the image they project online and less concerned with holistic markers of health in real life, their body image may suffer and they may even turn, or return, to harmful fad diets or dangerous weight-control behaviors. We hope the results of this survey encourage people to really look at how their online behavior affects their outlook, and we caution them against being overly critical of their own bodies or other people’s bodies while on Facebook and other social networking sites.”

Live WELL!

M. J.

Healthy Choices + Positive Thinking = Longer Life

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:28:00 GMT

A healthy lifestyle matters. An article published in today’s Chicago Sun-Times, "Stop smoking and think positive if you want to live longer” (Darla Carter, 3/26/12, Gannett News Service) reminds us that the daily choices we make have consequences - life and death consequences. “Good genes” are often given too much credit for someone’s age-defying good health or youthful appearance. The influence of genetics may account for only 30% of a person’s health condition. What we do with the remaining 70% has the potential to wield far more influence on our health and longevity. Carter cites a number of respected health sources to show us how to maximize that 70%.

A year old study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed how basic healthy behaviors eating healthfully, regular exercise, moderate alcohol consumption and not smoking contribute to a longer life. The medical director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Enterprise, Dr. Roxanne Sukol, suggests that the three most important health choices we make concern: being active, eating smart and managing stress. Brian Kennedy, of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging stresses quality sleep and fewer calories. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health recommend cutting back on red meat. The Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Sanders-Brown took a different approach. Their study, of 180 Catholic nuns, measured how “positivity” influenced longevity. The results showed that the more positive sisters lived 8 to 10 years longer!

This information should help us to see the glass of our lives as 70% full. The everyday choices we make affect the quality and length of our lives. Choose wisely today!

Live WELL!

M. J.

How FIT is your Faith?

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:13:00 GMT

An article in the Chicago Sun-Times jumped out at me this morning. “The power of faith” (Sandy Thorn Clark, 2/29/12) describes the evangelistic efforts of author and exercise physiologist, Jimmy Pena, to encourage people in the pews to “take care of the body that carries the soul.” Pena’s PrayFit program challenges Christians to “exercise” their faith, saying, “We are bold to declare faith can move a mountain, and yet doubt it can help us move a muscle.” Pena claims that living a healthy lifestyle is a means for praising God. and that the “sacrifice” required in living healthy will be honored by God.

Pena recognizes a serious problem and is doing something about it. His message may be too focused on the pain and suffering involved in changing lifestyle behaviors, but he’s addressing an issue that few in the clergy are tackling. The benefits of living a healthy lifestyle offer hope and rewards, here-and-now, on our earthly journey. It should be a life-giving message preached in every place of worship. Our spiritual health, like our physical health, benefits from “preventive” care. I say, avoid the pain and suffering - live healthy!

Live WELL!

M. J.

March is National Optimism Month - Learn Optimism & Change Your Life

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 01:41:00 GMT

Martin Seligman, Ph.D., a leading authority on behavior change, states that “Optimism is a learned skill. Once learned, it increases achievement at work and improves physical health.” (What You Can Change And What You Can’t - The Complete Guide to Successful Self-Improvement). Seligman suggests that, “optimism is about changeability.” When we learn to “dispute” pessimistic thoughts that we have, we feel better about ourselves and want to keep doing it. It can transform our moods and behaviors.

The Mayo Clinic suggests that optimism can contribute to:

Increased life span
Lower rates of depression
Lower levels of distress
Greater resistance to the common cold
Better psychological and physical well-being
Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

Why does optimism provide such positive health outcomes? Mayo offers these possibilities:

It enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body
It leads to choosing healthier lifestyles — getting more physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and not smoking or drinking alcohol in excess.

March is National Optimism Month. Spring is right around the corner. It is the opportune time to make sure that our Glass of Life is half-full, not half-empty. Here are ideas from the Mayo Clinic staff to help your effort:

Identify areas to change. Identify areas of your life that you typically think negatively about, whether it's work, your daily commute or a relationship, for example. You can start small by focusing on one area to approach in a more positive way.

Check yourself. Periodically during the day, stop and evaluate what you're thinking. If you find that your thoughts are mainly negative, try to find a way to put a positive spin on them.

Be open to humor. Give yourself permission to smile or laugh, especially during difficult times. Seek humor in everyday happenings. When you can laugh at life, you feel less stressed.

Follow a healthy lifestyle. Exercise at least three times a week to positively affect mood and reduce stress. Follow a healthy diet to fuel your mind and body. And learn to manage stress.

Surround yourself with positive people. Make sure those in your life are positive, supportive people you can depend on to give helpful advice and feedback. Negative people may increase your stress level and make you doubt your ability to manage stress in healthy ways.

Practice positive self-talk. Start by following one simple rule: Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to anyone else. Be gentle and encouraging with yourself. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with affirmations of what is good about you.

Practice positive thinking every day

If you tend to have a negative outlook, don't expect to become an optimist overnight. But with practice, eventually your self-talk will contain less self-criticism and more self-acceptance. You may also become less critical of the world around you. Plus, when you share your positive mood and positive experience, both you and those around you enjoy an emotional boost.

Live With Optimism!

M. J.

What Healthy Workplaces Do

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:46:00 GMT

Towers Watson is a leading global professional services company that helps organizations improve performance through effective people, risk and financial management. Their 2011/2012 Staying@Work Survey Report explains the workplace wellness efforts of 248 U.S. companies. Companies surveyed have a minimum of 1,000 employees and represent public, private, government and nonprofit sectors.

The survey provides valuable insight into the best health and productivity practices of leading U.S. employers. The three pillars of a successful worksite wellness initiative are identified as: 1) rewards, 2) leadership and 3) communication. The report compared high-effectiveness (HE) and low-effectiveness (LE) employers and showed:

A differential in annual health care costs of more than $1,000 per employee
A benefits savings for high-effectiveness companies of more than 30%
HE companies include employee health and productivity in the organization’s goals/values
HE companies’ leaders are role models for healthy lifestyles
HE companies focus on mental as well as physical health
- Offer easy access to preventive care
- Identify and target health risks in individuals and populations
- educate employees on the importance of saving for medical and retirement needs
HE companies have comprehensive strategies for identifying and addressing all types of absences
HE companies build strong partnerships with vendors
HE companies provide a supportive environment, incentives for participation, transparency and they promote the use of high-quality, cost-effective care
HE companies excel in communication and seek employee feedback

Other noteworthy findings include:

Overtime costs as a percentage of payroll increased by nearly 70% from ’09 to ‘11
51% said efforts to reduce employee stress caused by inadequate staffing have had little or no positive impact
80% said that employees should be held accountable for maintaining and improving workforce health and productivity
80% plan to offer financial rewards for participation in health management programs in 2012
38% expect to have financial penalties in place in 2012 for employees who choose not to participate in health management programs and activities
16% are planning on achievement-based rewards/penalties - this represents an increasing trend
Participation in Health Risk Assessments without a financial incentive was 19% - participation increased to 46% with a financial incentive
Participation in biometric screenings without a financial incentive was 25% - participation increased to 45% with a financial incentive
Participation in disease management programs for chronic conditions without a financial incentive was 14% - participation increased to only 16% with a financial incentive
Only 26% of managers and/or senior leaders serve as role models for healthy lifestyles, and less than 20% regularly participate in employee health communication or share their personal health stories

The 2011/2012 Staying@Work Survey is an exhaustive study of workplace wellness best practices. It can serve as a valuable resource for organizations seeking to implement or improve a wellness initiative.

Live WELL!

M. J.

We All Hear Voices

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:06:00 GMT

Fifty degrees and sunshine provided the motivation for me to sit down yesterday in a local park and collect my thoughts. Basking in the unusually warm January sun, I closed my eyes and let my other senses be entertained by the urban activity going on around me. An unleashed dog, sniffing around my feet challenged my resolve to keep my eyes shut, but I persisted, confident that only a small and friendly dog would be roaming unfettered.

I enjoyed a few minutes of uninterrupted quiet before a woman’s voice filled the silence. She was loud, articulate and expressive. She asked questions and then answered them, and she augmented her oratory with occasional singing. I withstood the temptation to open my eyes once again. Instead, I tried to visualize her appearance. My effort was interrupted by a harsh voice of an elderly man. He was annoyed by the woman’s speech and demanded that she “Shut Up!” The attention only made the woman more determined to share her message.

Eventually the man tired of complaining and threatening and all that remained was the woman’s dialogue with herself. As I sat and listened to her conversation, sometimes light and other times impassioned, I considered the conversations that I have with myself on a rather regular basis. I am assuming that engaging in conversation with the voices in my head is a commonly shared experience - the difference between us and the woman in the park is that we don’t usually verbalize it. We hear voices that encourage or discourage, or that approve or disapprove and we quietly react to those voices consciously or subconsciously all day long.

The voices that we hear, the self-talk that is our conscious, affects our wellbeing. Is your conversation with yourself positive? Does it generally provide encouragement and support? Or, does it more often judge and criticize? Taking the time to stop and listen to your own inner conversation can be helpful in realizing how it affects you. It can also be an opportunity for creating self-talk that is more positive. Start by considering all that you have to be grateful for. Appreciate the present moment and the opportunity that it provides for you to do good and realize your potential. Do this every day and your inner-conversation will be positively affected. And, next time you sit down on a park bench next to a person who wants to share their self-talk with the whole world, you will have a new appreciation for how much you have in common!

Live WELL!

M. J.