The summer months bring more than just sunny weather and BBQs – they bring a great opportunity for re-vamping your workplace wellness program! While your wellness initiatives should be year-round, we think summer is a great time to encourage healthy eats, outdoor activity, and take wellness up a notch.

If you feel like your wellness program loses some steam during the summer months, or if employees aren’t as motivated to keep up with your wellness initiatives, try out some of these summer wellness ideas to keep things fun and exciting:

If you truly want your employees to be healthy, taking a holistic approach to employee wellness is key. Health goes beyond what your employees eat and how often they move. Numerous lifestyle factors play a role in your employees’ overall health and wellness. For example, elements such as stress, financial wellness, and social relationships all contribute to your employees’ mental, social, and emotional health – which is just as important as physical health!

It’s important for employers to understand that the environment in which employees work plays a huge role in their overall wellness. If your company doesn’t support and promote a holistic lifestyle, many employees will neglect important aspects of their health. Employees need encouragement to go beyond healthy eating and exercising to achieve a life of holistic wellness.

Read on to learn how holistic wellness will positively affect your employees’ health and their work performance:

Let’s be honest here, would the Fourth of July be complete without a grill out, sweets, and adult beverages? This summer holiday is all about food, family, and having a good time. However, we believe that the 4^th doesn’t have to include sacrificing your healthy habits and push back your fitness progress! 

A healthy and happy Fourth of July is achievable with some healthy substitutions and preparations. Here’s how to enjoy your holiday festivities without the sugar crash and junk food hangover the next day:

When it comes to getting in shape, many of us are only concerned about the number on the scale – when instead, we should be focused on our health. While you might think that a smaller number on the scale goes hand-in-hand with healthy weight loss, it’s not always that black and white. 

Too many factors contribute to the number you see on the scale. This insightful article demonstrates that weight is merely a measure of the force of gravity on our bodies – not a measurement of health. Your weight will fluctuate regularly do to many different causes such as your hydration level, sodium intake, exercise, muscle development, digestion, or even certain medications.

It’s self-sabotage to only measure your fitness progress by weighing yourself on a daily basis. The number you see on the scale is too unreliable to base your health and fitness on. You could be making some major improvements, but if the scale doesn’t reflect that (which it usually doesn’t), you’ll be discouraged and tempted to give up.

Stuck seeing the glass half empty? Truth be told, a lot of us are. Being a pessimist is far too easy because focusing on the negatives seems less difficult than finding the positives. However, being a Negative Nancy can have some serious consequences. Research has found that pessimists are more stressed, less happy, and less healthy than their optimistic counterparts.

A 2015 study found that optimists were more likely to eat healthily, maintain a healthy BMI, exercise regularly, and not smoke. They also had healthier blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Another study stated that optimists also tend to have more satisfying relationships and are less likely to come down with the flu or catch the common cold.

While some might think optimism is a personality trait that you’re either born with or not, in reality, anyone can learn to become an optimist. If you would like to start looking on the bright side and reap the health benefits of positivity, try adapting these seven daily habits that will help you become an optimist in no time:

When it comes to an enriching life, simplicity is key. Leading a simple lifestyle will help you cultivate a sense of happiness and wellbeing by eliminating harmful and unnecessary stressors. But how exactly do you “simplify” your life?

Simplicity is all about focusing on the essentials. By focusing on the elements in your life that contribute to your health, wellness, and happiness, you can achieve a more balanced and fulfilling everyday life. Living simplistically allows you to shed any non-essential belongings, commitments, and relationships that are weighing you down – helping you spend your time doing what’s most important to you and living a peaceful life.

Here are some tips to help you simplify your life for less stress and improved wellbeing:

Workplace stress is a big deal. While you might think that stressed employees are the norm, it’s important to understand that stress can lead to some serious health consequences. As an employer, one of your many responsibilities is to take care of your employees and keep their well-being a priority.

A 2015 study looked at the negative health effects associated with workplace stress. It was found that millions of workers say their job is bad for their health and has caused them to eat poorly, smoke, drink more alcohol, and exercise less.

Besides the physical effects of stress – like high blood pressure, body aches, and heart issues – these bad health habits can also translate into poor work performance. Stressed out employees have trouble focusing, thinking clearly, and making rational decisions. 

Anxiety can really hold you back from a happy and healthy life. It’s both mentally and physically draining. Feelings of anxiousness can cause difficulties in concentration, disrupt sleep, and it make it hard to feel good about yourself. 

If you suffer with anxiety or nervousness on a regular basis, you’re not alone. In fact, anxiety disorders affect about 40 million Americans – and it’s not something that should be ignored. Excessive worrying can be detrimental to your health and wellbeing, as it increases blood pressure, leads to insomnia, and may cause heart problems.

With many treatment options available, no one should just “deal” with anxiety. If you experience racing thoughts, restless nights, and excessive worrying, and are looking to reduce anxiety naturally, try incorporating these quick remedies into your daily routine.