The holidays are a time for family, friends, fun and food. With those can come stress, weight gain, illness and even injury. To avoid these holiday hazards and remain healthy throughout the happiest time of the year, take our advice below! 

Your contractor wouldn’t remodel your house without consulting you. Your hairdresser wouldn’t cut without asking what style you want. Your doctor wouldn’t treat you without discussing your symptoms. So why would you build your wellness program without feedback from your employees?

Do you believe the flu shot will give you the flu? If so, you are one of 43% of Americans with that same common misconception. We are here to help debunk that myth, and explain why the flu shot truly is beneficial for you and your company.

The best way to learn is to check out how others have been successful. A recent report by the CEO Council on Health and Innovation gave us a sneak peek into the wellness programs of some of the top U.S. companies. Here are five ways these big-name companies promote workplace health.

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.

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.

The holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect and recognize the good in our lives, whether it's family, friends, or a great job, we all have things we are thankful for. While you may think gratitude is a soft, fluffy feel-good topic, it can have a huge impact on your company. Research finds that having an attitude of gratitude releases dopamine in the brain, which then boosts feelings of well-being, increases optimism, and improves physical health. In turn, these benefits serve to boost productivity, decision making, and problem solving. Many people also report higher levels of energy, enthusiasm, determination, and alertness.

Picture this: You’re working hard, deep in thought, focused on your ever-growing to-do list. Suddenly, hunger strikes. Mindlessly, you reach down and open your bottom desk drawer. As you glance down to choose a savory treat, you are suddenly aware of just how much sugar and salt is staring back at you. Just how many calories are those candy bars and potato chips adding to your waistline?

Lately, there's been quite the buzz about employer-sponsored wellness programs, particularly in light of the EEOC's legal tussle with Honeywell. With various concerns floating around, we thought it'd be fun to give you a peek at both sides of the coin.

A Little Background

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a suit in October against large corporate employer Honeywell. The EEOC raised concerns in its suit regarding the wellness program and linked insurance incentives at Honeywell.

A 2005 study in the Creativity Research Journal revealed a link between moderate aerobic exercise and increased mental function, primarily an increase in cognitive creativity. Possibly the most fascinating element was not only that exercise increased creativity, but that the effects were both immediate and sustained over time. The report found that two hours after a moderate aerobic exercise, creativity was effectively experiencing the same benefits as immediately following the exercise.