BlogHeader-1

 

Lisa Stovall

With over two decades of experience in employee wellness and internal communications, Lisa Stovall brings her passion and expertise to every project as a senior content writer, strategist, and editor at TotalWellness. Equipped with a Master’s in Health Promotion, she’s all about creating workplaces that are healthy, happy, and thriving. When she’s not at work, Lisa loves getting her 10,000 steps in — whether it’s a stroll through the park, exploring new trails, or enjoying a neighborhood walk with her two dogs. For Lisa, health and wellness are not just her career, but a personal passion she brings to life with vibrant energy and a fun approach that makes her a trusted voice in the wellness community.
Find me on:

Recent Posts

Workplace Stress: What It Does to Employees and What Employers Can Do

Posted by Lisa Stovall on Mon, May, 18, 2015

Editor's Note: This article was updated in August 2026.

TL;DR: Workplace stress can affect employee health, focus, productivity and engagement. Employers can help by addressing workplace stressors, training managers and providing accessible well-being resources.


Workplace stress can affect more than an employee’s mood. Prolonged or poorly managed stress may influence sleep, concentration, physical well-being and the ability to perform work safely and effectively.

It can also affect the organization through reduced engagement, lower productivity, absenteeism and turnover. A wellness program can provide valuable support, but lasting improvement also requires employers to examine workload, communication, flexibility, management practices and other sources of workplace stress.

The infographic below illustrates how stress can affect the body. Afterward, we’ll explore common workplace stressors and practical steps employers can take.

Read More

Topics: Healthy Workplaces, Wellness at Work

Fingerstick vs. Venipuncture for Biometric Screenings: Which Is Better?

Posted by Lisa Stovall on Thu, Apr, 30, 2015

Editor's Note: This article was updated in August 2026. 

TL;DR: Fingerstick testing offers quick appointments and immediate results, while venipuncture supports broader laboratory testing. The best choice depends on your testing needs, timeline and event logistics.


Biometric screenings can help employees understand health measurements such as cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides. For employers planning an on-site screening, one important decision is how the blood sample will be collected: through a fingerstick or a venipuncture blood draw.

Fingerstick testing is often a good fit when convenience, efficient appointments and immediate on-site results are priorities. Venipuncture may be preferable when the screening requires a broader laboratory panel or laboratory-processed results. The best option depends on the tests being offered, desired turnaround time, employee preferences, event logistics and budget.

Here’s how fingerstick and venipuncture screenings compare — and what employers should consider before choosing between them.

Read More

Topics: Biometric Health Screenings

Wellness Gifts Ideas for Employees

Posted by Lisa Stovall on Mon, Dec, 08, 2014

The holiday season is traditionally a time for showing employees appreciation; office parties, small gifts, and even bonuses are common expressions of gratitude. This season, forget the typical gift baskets and humdrum fruitcake and consider a gift that promotes health.

Read More

Topics: Wellness at Work

The Health Culture Audit: Fixing Gaps in Your Corporate Wellness Program

Posted by Lisa Stovall on Thu, Dec, 04, 2014

When was the last time you gave your culture a checkup? Are your policies and environment supporting or hindering those who are trying to embrace a healthy lifestyle? Culture audits are extremely valuable to assess where your company is on its path to wellness and what your potential barriers may be.

Read More

Topics: Healthy Workplaces, Wellness at Work

3 Simple Tricks to Breathe New Life into Your Wellness Program

Posted by Lisa Stovall on Mon, Nov, 10, 2014

As a busy wellness professional, it’s easy to get caught up in daily tasks and lose focus of what is really important. When you lose focus, you may become uninspired and complacent. You are not alone. With many wellness initiatives achieving less than 20% participation, your program may be struggling to engage and inspire employees. But does that mean once something is said to be six feet under, it can't rise again?

Read More

Topics: Wellness at Work

How Employee Wellness Perks Are Being Used to Nab Top Talent

Posted by Lisa Stovall on Mon, Nov, 03, 2014

When it comes to recruiting top talent, competitive health insurance and gym membership reimbursement may not cut it anymore. Facebook and Apple recently made headlines with the news that they will now offer financial support for female employees who wish to freeze their eggs.

Read More

Topics: Wellness at Work

8 Ways Positive Thinking Can Improve Employee Well-Being [Infographic]

Posted by Lisa Stovall on Mon, Oct, 20, 2014

We’ve all heard the age-old question. Is your glass half full or half empty? Whichever you say helps to indicate if you're an optimist, or a pessimist. But being a positive thinker can impact your life (and your employees) more than you realize. Did you know that positive thinking can make you healthier? Numerous studies have shown that optimists are physically and psychologically healthier than pessimists.

Read More

Topics: Healthy Workplaces, Wellness at Work

5 Tips for Creating and Promoting Employee Work-Life Balance

Posted by Lisa Stovall on Mon, Jul, 14, 2014

At a recent session of the Aspen Ideas Festival, PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi shared her perspective, stating, “I don't think women can have it all.”

This thought-provoking remark is not meant to spark a feud with Sheryl Sandberg and the Lean In movement but rather to contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding work-life balance.

Read More

Topics: Healthy Workplaces, Wellness at Work

Why Employee Health Screenings Should Be More Like Starbucks

Posted by Lisa Stovall on Wed, Jan, 29, 2014

Have you ever wondered why people spend such an exorbitant sum of money on a simple cup of coffee each month? Is the coffee magical? Maybe for some, but Starbucks' success is really based on creating a personalized customer experience and energizing their employees to deliver superior customer service. For example, their employee handbook, called "The Green Apron," talks about connecting, discovering and responding as a way to bond with customers. Starbucks has some great lines from the book – including “Our Purpose: To provide an uplifting experience that enriches people’s daily lives.”

Read More

Topics: Biometric Health Screenings, Wellness at Work

Going Beyond Medical Costs to Measure Wellness Program Impact

Posted by Lisa Stovall on Thu, Jan, 23, 2014

The debate over wellness ROI and whether corporate wellness programs "work" is heating up again after Rand researchers released an article in Health Affairs. This time it's PepsiCo's "Healthy Living" wellness program that is under the microscope.

Read More

Topics: Healthy Workplaces, Wellness at Work

EWBHeader

Subscribe

This Year's Most Popular Articles