With much of the globe’s workforce working from home unexpectedly, it’s no wonder everyone is Googling tips for working remotely.

Even if working from home feels challenging, it does have its benefits.

One study found remote workers are more productive when doing so from home. That same study found remote workers felt their work-life balance was a bit out-of-whack.

You may be feeling the same way right about now.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to be productive and shut your work down at the end of the day — even if your office is less than 20 feet from your couch.

It’s all about scheduling, nailing your most productive time periods, and getting a bit creative.

And, given current projections that 25-30% of the workforce will be working from home one to two days per week in the next few years, it’s time to start getting comfortable with the idea.

Whether you’re working alone or working from home with kids, here’s a list of tips on how to create a productive work day:

Your employees are the reason your company is thriving — so why not show them some love on Employee Appreciation Day?

This year, it falls on March 6. That’s a Friday, which makes it the perfect time to have a low-key celebration honoring your employees.

Not only is showing your employees appreciation great for engagement purposes, but it also is a chance to reflect your company culture. 

Plus, it’s healthy for your employees! According to psychological studies, when a person is shown gratitude it can increase their metabolism, lessen stress, and even improve their sleep habits!

Need some affordable and quick ways to show your employees how you adore all that they do in the workplace?

Here are 11 Employee Appreciation Day ideas your employees will love:

Just like that, nearly 365 days have passed.

If you’ve been reading our blog for most of this year, we hope you’re feeling a whole lot happier and healthier by putting our actionable content into practice.

During 2019, we’ve covered topics to inspire wellness and health in the workplace and life. Our blog content included coverage of tips to avoid holiday weight gain to the best breathing exercises to reduce stress and everything in-between. We love to give our readers variety.

 In 2020, we look forward to getting you even more excited about spreading wellness habits at work.

 Until then, here’s a look at what content you all couldn’t get enough of this year.

 Here are our 10 most popular blogs of 2019:

Ready to start planning your company’s 2020 wellness program ideas?

For a healthy dose of inspiration, consider refreshing your perspective with a corporate wellness conference to make this upcoming year the healthiest yet for your team.

Health and wellness conferences are an excellent opportunity for HR reps, benefits directors, wellness committee members, and health directors to network and learn about upcoming wellness trends to bring into the workplace.

If you’ve been looking for a way to increase interest in your company’s wellness programs, here’s one way to do it. Most conferences offer team discounts, so check when you register if you can bring down the cost per person by registering your team.

Don’t feel like tracking down the best conferences to attend this year?

No worries. We’ve rounded up the top health and wellness conferences and summits of 2020.

Here are 13 to send your team to for a healthier new year:

If you’re tired of the traditional workplace Christmas party, we hear you.

There are only so many butter cookies and punch parties everyone can take.

This year, if you’re looking to throw a creative office Christmas party, it’ll take a little planning to skip the traditional potluck gathering.

Not only are unique holiday party alternatives heaps of fun, it’s also a great way to show employees how much you appreciate all of their hard work.

Best of all, a holiday party doesn’t need to be elaborate, either.

Below we share a list of creative office Christmas party ideas for any budget.

Clean hands are healthy hands.

And dirty hands spread germs — lots of them.

One study found the typical work desk has more than 10 million bacteria covering it. That’s 400 times more germs than the average toilet seat.

Yuck.

Last week was National Handwashing Awareness Week, and while it may be over, flu season is not. Flu season peaks between December and February, which is why this important preventative measure should be discussed in all workplaces.

Even if it seems a little patronizing to tell adults in your office to “wash their hands,” consider it more of a public health announcement. Even a little PSA via a bathroom stall door flier can reduce the amount of germs spread around your office.

Here are the dirty details of why handwashing should be a hot topic in your office this time of year:

Somehow, Thanksgiving is already next week.

Like clockwork, the food-centric holiday creeps up quicker than a turkey thermometer pops.

If you’re hosting this year, it’s time to start planning now. The menu, the guest list, the seating arrangements...it can feel like a lot.

And being stressed out is no way to enjoy a holiday.

By creating an action plan now, you can minimize stressful situations and help the day go smoothly. While you can’t control how your family members act, you can change your reactions. You can also be in control of who you invite and the cooking schedule, too.

Ready to start prepping for a stress-free holiday?

Check out our tips below on how to de-stress the menu, venue, and overall day’s events for a healthier and happier Thanksgiving.

Want your employees to feel the warm and fuzzies when they come into work?

Show them gratitude.

Since being shown gratitude is deeply linked to job satisfaction and retention rates, there’s no better time than the Thanksgiving season to step up your gratitude game.

The annual November “gratitude challenge” offers you the chance to show your employees — especially top performers — how much you value their efforts.

Below you’ll find a 30-day gratitude challenge idea list of ways to show your thanks to employees.

Sugar.

Even though the word is short, the list of problems this ingredient can cause is long.

Too much sugar in your diet can cause a laundry list of issues including diabetes and obesity. Studies even show potential links to excessive added sugar consumption and Alzheimer’s disease.

But, there are also a few good things about sugar.

Confusing, right?

Here we break down all the sugary details you need to make healthier lifestyle choices when it comes to sugar, including how to pick the right sugars to fuel your body instead of fattening it.

It’s no secret the cost of healthcare is going up.

Unfortunately, healthcare benefit costs are expected to continue to rise as much as $15,000 per employee.

While healthcare benefits are one of the most important benefits for employees, it’s also one of the most expensive ones for employers. If your company is looking to increase healthcare savings, virtual care is an option to consider.

Virtual care is one way to keep the healthcare benefit option available while also saving time and money. It’s convenient, fast, and just as efficient as an in-office visit.

The adoption of virtual care can save employers big money, too.

Here we take a look at the benefits of offering virtual care as a healthcare option.