Miles, Mind, and More

Quality Insights marks 50 years with employee wellness challenge

BY JEAN STORM DO, CMD, CHCQM

IN 2023, Quality Insights–a nonprofit company with a mission of improving health and healthcare–celebrated our 50th anniversary with a strong focus on the wellbeing of the communities we serve and our employees.

In the community, we awarded more than $100,000 in grants to fund promising health improvement projects. For example, Health Literacy of Delaware received a grant to educate patients with chronic kidney disease. Internally, our observances included a unique, eight-week wellness challenge that brought together physical and mental well-being, fueling a spirit of healthy competition, and fostering a sense of shared purpose and interconnectedness among employees.

The first part of our challenge focused on physical fitness as teams recorded the miles walked or ran over the eight weeks. The winning team emerged based on the percentage of miles logged per team member, fostering an inclusive environment and acknowledging the inherent differences in individual fitness levels.

The second facet of the challenge focused on mental well-being, presenting unique weekly activities to ignite participants’ mental resilience, going beyond the conventional focus on physical activity and recognizing the symbiotic relationship between mind and body. Our activities consisted of:

Week 1: Culinary Exploration: Teams ventured into the kitchen, as the challenge instructions were to cook two new meals at home during this week and share their recipes online.

Week 2: Mindful Reading: Participants delved into non-work-related literature, reading for 15 minutes daily.

Week 3: Nature Break: Dedicated time spent outdoors rejuvenated the body and invigorated the mind, as participants spent 20 minutes outside twice during the week.

Week 4: Digital Detox: A concerted effort to disconnect from electronic devices before bedtime unfolded, promoting better sleep hygiene and enhanced mental clarity. Participants refrained from looking at electronics 30 minutes before bed four times during this week.

Week 5: Hydration Challenge: Participants strived to meet their daily water intake goals for improved physical and mental performance by attempting to consume at least 64 ounces of water for four days throughout the week.

Week 6: Connection Quest: Conversations with family and friends became a cherished ritual, weaving a tapestry of meaningful relationships within the workforce as we encouraged participants to have two 15-minute conversations with loved ones twice during this week.

Week 7: Breathing Bliss: The calming practice of focused breathing, encapsulated by the Box Breath technique, offered a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life for three minutes each day.

Week 8: Kindness Campaign: Acts of kindness, both big and small, rippled through the workplace, creating a culture of positivity and support as participants practiced one act of kindness each day.

The eight-week challenge was a resounding success, fostering unity and vitality among employees in a way that transcended the ordinary. As we reflect on this journey, we are proud to have created an innovative and dynamic platform for employees to prioritize their wellness while also strengthening professional collaboration.

We hope this roadmap may help other organizations implement a similar wellness challenge for their teams, and we encourage everyone to consider doing so.

Jean Storm DO, CMD, CHCQM is the medical director at Quality Insights.