Lately, we’ve been offering a lot of advice for reducing workplace stress.

That’s because we believe workplace stressors shouldn’t get in the way of a happy, healthy life – and we’re sure most employers would agree. One aspect of employee stress that doesn’t get the attention it deserves is financial stress. Fortunately, a lot of companies are getting on board and addressing the importance of financial wellness.

The rising popularity of financial wellness programs was an expected workplace wellness trend of 2017. More and more companies are starting to offer financial wellness programs for employees – for good reason too. It’s clear that employers are aware of the dangers of financial stress in the workplace.

According to GreenPath Financial Wellness, 78% of employers say financial concerns can negatively impact employee productivity, while 71% of employees say their top source of stress is personal finances. Employees struggling with financial troubles have difficulty focusing on work and performing their best.

During times of stress and hectic days at the office, you might think you don’t have time for a healthy meal. However, consuming fast food and sugary snacks will contribute to your feelings of stress and anxiety even more. Eating healthily is one of the best things you can do for your body during times of stress. Certain nutrients will help balance your mood and relieve any tension.

When you’re under a lot of pressure and feeling anxious, your body produces a stress hormone called cortisol. High levels of cortisol can lead to high blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Over time, high levels of cortisol can have many negative effects on your health and even heighten your risk of certain diseases. When you eat to beat stress, you want to focus on foods that will reduce these cortisol levels and keep blood pressure levels in check.

Instead of stress-eating or skipping meals altogether, try eating healthy snacks and meals that contain stress-busting foods. Check out this list of eight healthy foods to eat when you’re feeling stressed out:

It seems like almost every adult responsibility requires us to be a morning person. Unfortunately, for a lot of us, that just isn’t the case. Most of us aren’t even tolerable to be around until our cup of coffee has kicked in.

But wouldn’t it be nice if it didn’t take all those caffeine jitters to make us feel alert and happy in the morning? What if you could wake up and instantly feel ready to take on the day? That’s what morning people feel like! Believe it or not, anyone can learn to become a morning person. With a healthy routine and a little practice, you will find yourself a lot less grumpy when that alarm clock starts buzzing.

Read on to learn 10 tricks that will transform a night owl into a morning person: 

Workplace wellness programs are more innovative now than ever. From incorporating wearables to hosting daily yoga classes, companies are stepping up their wellness game. Employers who are dedicated to promoting workplace health, happiness, and productivity are taking a fun and holistic approach to employee wellness. These efforts help drive employee participation and create results that last.

Because we know that brainstorming creative and effective wellness ideas can be a bit challenging, we decided to round up 10 companies with phenomenal wellness programs and summarize their initiatives in an easy-to-read eBook. This eBook will serve as your insight into some of the most successful and dynamic wellness programs. These healthy companies are guaranteed to inspire you with some fresh ideas and creative wellness strategies.

So, if you’re curious about what other companies are doing to create a winning wellness program, look no further! We created the ultimate idea eBook to help you spice up your workplace wellness program. Here’s a sneak-peek of what you’ll find in our free, downloadable eBook:

A break from reality in a wellness retreat doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, it can be completely free! We love the idea of a DIY wellness retreat – and it’s easier to create than you might think. With a few crafty tricks and some simple supplies, you can transform your home into a peaceful oasis.

Here’s how to create your very own wellness retreat:

For many of us, the weekends are our favorite time of the week. Along with not having to wake up to that dreaded alarm clock, Saturday and Sunday provide time to relax and participate in some of your favorite hobbies. We believe that the weekends are the perfect opportunity to clear your mind and recover from any built-up stress.

However, sometimes, the weekends can be stressful if you over-commit or try to do too many unpleasant chores. You need to prioritize your weekend around your wellness and happiness. A stressful weekend will leave you feeling groggy, irritable, and anxious – starting off your workweek on a wrong foot.

So, if you want to feel fresh and re-charged while walking into work on Monday morning, try out some of these weekend wellness activities to help conquer stress from the workweek:

You’re busy. You work full-time, pick up the kiddos from school, run to the grocery store, and fold laundry once you get home. Rushing to accomplish task after task often becomes a mindless job, and it’s easy to become disconnected from your thoughts, feelings, and the environment around you. Mindfulness works to combat your senseless actions by bringing awareness to your thoughts and activities – and accept them without judgment.

Practicing mindfulness will not only bring your life balance and happiness, but it will improve your emotional and physical wellbeing as well. According to an article by HelpGuide.org, the physical benefits of mindfulness include stress relief, lower blood pressure, reduced chronic pain, improved sleep, and can even help fight heart disease. It is also noted that mindfulness has been used as an important element in the treatment of mental health issues such as depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Practicing mindfulness during your daily activities can become a simple habit. Help yourself become more present by using the following tips to turn mindfulness into part of your daily routine:     

We talk a lot about what employees can do to get healthier, but what about leaders? Managers have the opportunity to lead their team by setting a healthy example at work. When a leader puts in the effort to get healthier, happier, and more productive, employees will be more likely to extend that effort for themselves! Employees will take wellness advice more seriously from an employer who proves that they care about the health of their staff.

So, if you’re a leader and want your employees to live a healthy lifestyle, it’s time to practice what you preach! Be sure to demonstrate these eight habits to encourage a healthy lifestyle: 

The summer months bring more than just sunny weather and BBQs – they bring a great opportunity for re-vamping your workplace wellness program! While your wellness initiatives should be year-round, we think summer is a great time to encourage healthy eats, outdoor activity, and take wellness up a notch.

If you feel like your wellness program loses some steam during the summer months, or if employees aren’t as motivated to keep up with your wellness initiatives, try out some of these summer wellness ideas to keep things fun and exciting:

If you truly want your employees to be healthy, taking a holistic approach to employee wellness is key. Health goes beyond what your employees eat and how often they move. Numerous lifestyle factors play a role in your employees’ overall health and wellness. For example, elements such as stress, financial wellness, and social relationships all contribute to your employees’ mental, social, and emotional health – which is just as important as physical health!

It’s important for employers to understand that the environment in which employees work plays a huge role in their overall wellness. If your company doesn’t support and promote a holistic lifestyle, many employees will neglect important aspects of their health. Employees need encouragement to go beyond healthy eating and exercising to achieve a life of holistic wellness.

Read on to learn how holistic wellness will positively affect your employees’ health and their work performance: