We get it, starting a corporate wellness program for the first time sounds scary and intimidating. If you are thinking about launching a wellness program, you may not know where to start or what steps to take.

We want to help take some of the guesswork out of launching a wellness program. These basic steps are simpler than you might think, and they will work for companies of all sizes and demographics.

If you’re looking to create a healthy workplace by empowering employees in their work and personal lives, here’s how to launch a successful wellness program:

Being a wellness manager is hard work. Between planning wellness events and implementing new, creative strategies to improve the health of employees, your day is bound to get a little hectic and stressful. To help you out we put together a list of our favorite tips that will boost productivity and keep you focused and energized throughout your workday:

Do your least favorite task first. We all have that one daily or weekly task that we dread. Get it done first! If you procrastinate it, it will continue to hang over your head and put a dent in your productivity level. Whether it’s a small task or big task, just get it done. The satisfaction of checking it off your to-do list will leave you feeling confident and productive all day.

Did you know that numbers could save your life? Sure, you probably know “911” as the ultimate life-saving number, but your health numbers are just as important to know by heart!

When it comes to measuring individual health, knowing your numbers helps you take control of your health and your life. These key numbers help you assess your risk for serious illnesses, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.  

Unfortunately, many of us are uninformed about our health numbers and why they are so important. A recent study by Cleveland Clinic shows that many Americans worry about dying of heart disease, but are unaware of their basic risk levels. For example, nearly half (46%) of those surveyed knew their bank account balance, while just 18% could state their body mass index and only 38% knew their blood pressure.

Ah, team building exercises. Some either love them, or run at the mention of them. While team building activities can be excellent for fostering a sense of unity and comradery in the workplace, they can also be the cause of some extensive eye rolls. This is because a lotof us have experienced a corny or downright awkward team building experience before.

However, when team building exercises are done and implemented properly, they are great for boosting employee wellness. Why? Team building encourages connections among employees. Creating a network of social support can lead to a more resilient work environment by helping employees recognize the power of being on a team and working together.

You’ve heard us say it before – and we will definitely say it again: positivity boosts employee wellness. Practicing positivity and optimism has been linked to numerous health benefits, increased productivity, and less stress. Optimistic employees are also happier and more involved in their work, so it’s really a win-win all around.

Whether you’re the employee or the employer, you can make a difference by being a positive presence in your workplace. Promoting positivity on a daily basis will help your employees or co-workers start looking on the brighter side of things. After all, positivity is contagious!

Here are seven tips to help you promote positivity in your workplace:

There are lots of things you need to do to have a successful employee wellness program. Not only does your program need to be simple, fun and engaging. But you also don’t want employees to think that the new wellness program is just a fad that will slowly fade away after six months. You want them to take your program seriously and know that wellness is here to stay. You want them to be intrigued and excited. But how can you reach your employees?

Luckily, we are here to help! Follow these tips to effectively promote wellness in your company:

Happy heart month! For such an important muscle, hearts are ignored all too often. Don’t you think your heart deserves some recognition for its loyal, steady beat and for supplying blood to all of your organs? We think so! The month of February is a great time to put your focus back on your heart and help yourself set goals for a heart healthy year.

Below are a few fun and interesting facts about your heart to help you appreciate just how important your heart–and heart health–really is:

Practicing a lifestyle of holistic wellness includes more than eating right and working out. It also includes making time for yourself and doing what you love. Spending your down time on your favorite hobbies benefits your overall wellbeing in many ways.  

According to a 2015 study, engaging in leisure activities was defined as “self-selected, self-rewarding behavioral pursuits that take place during non-work time.” Participants in this study who engaged in leisure activities were found to be happier, less bored, less stressed, and had lower heart rates. Leisure activities were also implied to be a great way to increase productivity and job performance, as they help boost creativity and give your brain a much-needed break.

There are plenty of healthy hobbies besides going to the gym that are great for your health and wellness. Here are 11 healthy hobbies that you can start today to boost your wellbeing.

Wellness portals are not a new discovery. However, advances in technology have helped a wellness program become more accessible, engaging, and effective through a portal. A wellness portal is an online tool you can use to implement, manage, and track your wellness program. It serves as a platform that can be customized to your employees and the goals of your program.

Wellness portals are an extremely effective and useful tool for managing a wellness program. When designed and implemented properly, a wellness portal will help engage employees, encourage healthy behavior, and drive visitors. It should also help simplify the overall process of your wellness program for both the employer and the employee.

So you’ve created a wellness program – complete with incentives, challenges, screenings, and a portal. It has all of the features it needs to succeed. However, you’ve been noticing that employees are not excited about the program and participation is lower than expected. This could be because your wellness program does not have the proper foundation in place – and this foundation is communication. 

Effective wellness communication serves as the primary building block for behavior change and measurable progress. Your employees will not succeed–or even become interested in the wellness program–without a communication plan in place. If communication hasn’t been a focus of your wellness program plan, it’s time to shine the spotlight back on your wellness communication strategies.