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.

According to the World Health Organization, as many as 450 million people worldwide suffer from a mental or behavioral disorder, and the average costs for employees with depression may be 4.2 times higher than those incurred by a typical employee. Mental health issues such as depression can lead to other health problems and snowball into a hefty chunk of change, both for you and your employee.

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?

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.