Workplace Wellness Our jobs can demand a lot from us as working professionals, and in such a fast-paced world, stress seems to be on the rise. In fact, according to a report titled Stress...at Work published the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in January of this year, 75% of employees in the U.S. believe that workers have more onthe-job stress than a generation ago. Not only that, but 25% view their jobs as the top stressor in their lives. It’s eye-opening to hear that a quarter of Americans view work as their number one source of stress. This stress, of course, can spill over into others areas of our lives and cause negative effects in our relationships, family, finances, and ultimately, our all-around mental health. When the pressure’s on, something has to give—people can’t constantly produce, create,
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and use up their energy without replenishing their inner well. It’s for this reason that there is a growing demand for promoting health and wellness in the workplace. We connected with some local professionals who shared their wisdom on the topic and information about the services they offer to support workplace wellness. Robyn Burnett, LMHP, manager of account and education services at Best Care Employee Assistance Program (EAP), shared her observations on recent trends in workplace wellness. “I have noticed many employers moving towards outsourcing consultants to help with wellness goals,” Robyn said. “This could mean hiring a local personal trainer to start a Facebook group just for your employees offering daily tips and goals as well as onsite/offsite group fitness tasks/ Robyn Burnett challenges. For emotional/mental health Best Care Employee services, consider bringing in someone like Assistance Program (EAP) Best Care to offer trauma/grief debriefing for employees going through a great deal. Most recently, I have seen employers offering a ‘quiet’ space or room for employees to go and decompress for a few minutes. This space could offer things such as stress balls, essential oils, calming music, lounge furniture, or even a massage chair. Our brains need a way of decompressing, just like the body.” Best Care EAP offers a wide-array of services for organizations and their employees, including professional development training, performance coaching, short-term counseling, workplace grief/ trauma debriefing, substance/alcohol assessments, and customized workplace wellness solutions. Their professional development opportunities span from over 80 topics in areas such as management/ leadership, work/life balance, and workplace relationships. Best Care partners with organizations, educational institutions, and member association groups, no matter their size. They believe that mental health services should be treated no differently than other wellness initiatives, as research indicates that at minimum one in four employees is suffering from a mental health issue. For employers who may be wondering what their employees most want and need from them to best support their wellness at work, Robyn has a suggestion. “Listen to those employees who are actively engaged,” she said. “They will tell you what you need to know. It’s not always about getting an ice machine or offering chair massages monthly. Yes, those things are nice but not always going to get you the end result #PrintProudDigitalSmart
