Birds, cows, people. 

You've likely seen recent headlines about bird flu, and if you're unsure about your level of concern, you're not alone. It’s natural to feel unsettled when health news hits close to home.

On the one hand, we’ve heard about viruses like MERS, Ebola, and Zika over the years — scary-sounding illnesses that didn’t end up having a big impact in the U.S. But then there’s another side of the coin: the Covid pandemic, which showed us how quickly a virus can change everything.

Now, H5N1, also known as avian influenza or the H5N1 bird flu, is making waves. It’s spreading to mammals and even causing a handful of human cases in the U.S. and Canada, with concerns about possible human-to-human transmission. While it’s not time to panic, it’s definitely worth paying attention.

Understanding the risks and staying prepared can be crucial for HR and other leaders in supporting their teams.

Emotional wellness plays a huge role in the workplace. It’s all about understanding, managing, and expressing emotions in a healthy way. When employees feel supported emotionally, they’re not just happier — they’re more focused, productive, and better equipped to handle challenges. They can build stronger relationships with their coworkers, contribute to a positive team vibe, and even inspire others to do the same..

But here's the thing: emotional wellness isn’t just an individual journey. It’s a cultural shift. When organizations prioritize emotional wellness, they create an environment where employees feel valued, connected, and motivated. The benefits ripple across the entire workplace, boosting morale, engagement, and even retention.

And guess what? Promoting emotional wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. A few small, intentional changes can make a big impact. Ready to create a workplace where positivity and resilience thrive? Let’s dive into some simple yet effective ways to help your team shine emotionally.

As 2024 comes to an end, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what made this year special. At TotalWellness, we’re on a mission to help you and your teams live healthier, happier lives. This year, our blogs resonated with readers more than ever, with over half a million views!

From practical tips for reducing stress to inspiring ideas for boosting energy and balance, we’ve covered topics to make workplace wellness accessible, fun, and impactful. Our community of readers — HR leaders, wellness champions, and employees alike — joined us in exploring new ways to prioritize health and happiness.

Let’s take a look back at the blogs you loved most. Whether it’s fueling your body with the right nutrients, finding moments of calm, or embracing small habits that lead to big results, these articles offer something for everyone.

The new year is just around the corner, and there’s no better time to hit pause and refresh. Let’s face it — 2024 was packed with nonstop work emails, virtual meetings, and way too much smartphone use.

That’s why encouraging your team to take a digital detox during the holiday break is such a gift. It’s a chance to step away from digital devices and recharge so they return to work energized and ready to tackle 2025.

Did you know nearly 57% of Americans say they’re addicted to their phones? On average, we check our devices a jaw-dropping 144 times a day!

Clearly, we could all use a break from excessive screen time.

Let’s explore why unplugging is so important and how you can support your team in avoiding social media and screens for a healthier start to 2025.

The holiday season is a time filled with joy, celebration, and time with loved ones — but it can also bring a lot of holiday anxiety and stress. Between wrapping up work projects, coordinating holiday plans, and trying to fit in personal time, employees can feel stretched thin. That’s where support from HR teams and managers can make all the difference.

Offering stress management tips and resources to your team shows how much you genuinely care about their well-being, not just during work hours but in every aspect of their lives. By sharing some simple strategies to handle holiday stress, you can uplift their spirits, enhance focus, and remind everyone that they have your support. A little bit of guidance can make a big difference in helping everyone find their balance and stay energized throughout the season!

So, here are some easy, practical tips you can share with your team. These strategies will help them take care of themselves, manage stress, and make the most of this special time of year.

Kindness might seem like a small thing, but it's actually a powerful force. 

And with World Kindness Day coming up on November 13th, it's the perfect time to celebrate! This day is dedicated to spreading kindness in all forms — big and small. It’s a reminder to be more intentional with our actions and to recognize the power that kindness holds in transforming our relationships, communities, and workplaces.

At work, kindness can make a world of difference. It can improve how we feel, how we perform, and how we connect with others. It’s not just about being nice — it’s about creating an environment where people feel valued, trusted, and motivated. When kindness becomes the foundation of our workplace, everyone benefits. Celebrating World Kindness Day is an excellent opportunity to embed more kindness into your workplace culture.

From simple acts of gratitude to listening more deeply, there are many ways to bring kindness to work every day. By celebrating World Kindness Day, you can set the tone for a positive shift that not only boosts employee morale but also enhances teamwork and overall well-being.

Let’s explore how kindness can make your workplace better and how you can make it a part of your daily routine. You’ll discover the secret to thriving at work — and it all starts with kindness.

Have you noticed that more and more people are feeling lonely lately? It’s true.

A recent survey by the US Census Bureau revealed that 1 in 8 people often feel lonely — always or usually. For younger adults, that number jumps to nearly 1 in 4.

As a wellness leader, it’s important to understand that loneliness doesn’t stop at the door when people come to work. It can also creep into the workplace, leaving employees feeling disconnected or unmotivated. Here’s the good news: you have the power to help turn this around!

By creating opportunities for employees to connect and engage with each other, you can make a big difference in their well-being. Small efforts — like hosting group activities, setting up team challenges, or even organizing simple coffee breaks — can help employees feel more included and supported.

Below, we’ll explore some easy and fun ways to combat loneliness in the workplace, build a stronger sense of connection, and create a happier, healthier team. 

Imagine starting your day feeling excited to go to work because your company truly cares about you. Sounds pretty amazing, right?

But here’s the hard truth: these days, fewer employees actually feel that way. In fact, the number of people who feel valued at work has dropped significantly since the early days of the pandemic. That’s a pretty big drop.

Why does this matter?

Because when people feel supported and appreciated, it’s not just about boosting their mood — they’re more engaged, more productive, and more likely to stick around long-term. A positive, caring workplace isn’t just a “nice-to-have”; it’s the secret ingredient for a team that thrives and pushes your business forward.

So, what’s going wrong? Why are so many employees feeling disconnected? In this article, we’ll break down what’s behind this shift, how it’s impacting the workplace, and, most importantly, what we can do to turn things around.

Have you heard of Wellness Wednesday?

It’s a day dedicated to boosting our health and happiness at work. Think of it as a midweek refresh to keep us energized and focused. Wellness Wednesday has become super popular on social media, and for a good reason — people love finding simple ways to feel better during the workweek!

Why does it matter? Regular wellness activities, like those on Wellness Wednesday, are vital because they help us stay healthy and productive. When we take care of ourselves, we can work better, feel happier, and even spread positivity to our coworkers.

Employee well-being's impact goes far beyond how we feel — it can affect everything from the number of sick days we take to how well we perform our jobs. According to Gallup, poor wellbeing can have some pretty hefty costs:

• • 75% of medical expenses come from mostly preventable conditions.
  • Globally, $322 billion is lost due to employee burnout, leading to turnover and lost productivity.
  • Burnout can also account for 15% to 20% of total payroll in voluntary turnover costs.

But here’s the good news: your organization can make a difference! By focusing on wellness, like through workplace wellness activities, you can help improve your employees' well-being and reduce these costs.

Below, we’ll share easy and fun Wellness Wednesday ideas you can bring to your workplace. These tips are perfect for helping everyone feel their best, no matter how busy the week gets. So, get ready to make Wednesdays the highlight of your workweek with activities that everyone will love!

Have you ever noticed that childhood summers felt like they lasted forever, but now summers zoom by in the blink of an eye?

There's a reason for that! As we get older, our brains stop making as many new pathways, and that makes our days feel like they blend together. The good news? You can change that with a simple idea called the Novelty Rule!

The Novelty Rule is based on neuroscience and is a great way to slow down time, making your life feel richer and more meaningful. In an episode of the Liz Moody Podcast, Liz explains how she created the novelty rule using research by Dr. David Eagleman from Stanford University. By adding new and novel experiences to your life, you can change your brain's perception of time, so it doesn’t feel like days and months are just flying by.