Practicing a lifestyle of holistic wellness includes more than eating right and working out. It also includes making time for yourself and doing what you love. Spending your down time on your favorite hobbies benefits your overall wellbeing in many ways.  

According to a 2015 study, engaging in leisure activities was defined as “self-selected, self-rewarding behavioral pursuits that take place during non-work time.” Participants in this study who engaged in leisure activities were found to be happier, less bored, less stressed, and had lower heart rates. Leisure activities were also implied to be a great way to increase productivity and job performance, as they help boost creativity and give your brain a much-needed break.

There are plenty of healthy hobbies besides going to the gym that are great for your health and wellness. Here are 11 healthy hobbies that you can start today to boost your wellbeing.

As soon as you hear your co-worker sneezing and coughing, you know it’s game over for the rest of the office. Desks and cubicles are a hot spot for germs to fester and multiply. Copiers, water fountains, and break areas can be covered with germs and bacteria as well.  Unfortunately, the domino effect definitely applies for workplace illness, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

With flu season in its peak, it’s important that you keep yourself from spreading germs around the workplace. Besides getting a flu shot, there are many other ways to help prevent illness and the spread of germs around your office and co-workers. You shouldn’t wait until you’re feeling under the weather to implement germ prevention. Here are some ways to avoid spreading germs at work:

Employee wellness is a hot topic in America right now. With more and more companies implementing employee wellness programs, you’ve probably heard a lot about the benefits and positive outcomes of focusing on employee health.

If your company does not have a current wellness program for its employees, it is missing an opportunity. An employee wellness program could be your ticket to happier and healthier employees.

Still on the fence about starting a wellness program? Here are ten signs that it might be time for your company to invest in a wellness program of your own:

The winter weather can seem like a great excuse to hibernate on your couch and push your fitness routine to the sidelines. However, winter is actually an important season to keep up with your active lifestyle. The winter months can make it easier to gain a few pounds and can set you back for the rest of the year.

So, how can you look past the frigid temperatures and get yourself up and moving? Here are a few tips to help you keep yourself active during the winter months:

Traditional work environments take a toll on your health – that’s really no secret.

If you’re like the average American and spend most of your day in the office, it may seem like practicing a healthy lifestyle is nearly impossible.

In reality, healthy office living is achievable if you put focus on your body and mind throughout your workday.

Check out these 14 sneaky ways to make your office healthier:

When it comes to the best nutritional habits, everyone has their own opinions and ideas. But one thing everyone agrees on is that most of us should be eating more vegetables. 

Why? Our diet has tremendous effects on our short-and long-term health, especially when it comes to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the average American consumes a total of only three servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

Eating fruits and vegetables is one of the simplest and most delicious ways to lose weight, eat better, and feel better. But did you know that eating fruits and vegetables may help you feel happier?

“A new year, a new me.” The thought of a new self and a fresh start to a New Year is very exciting. You fantasize how you will look, act, and feel during the upcoming year. Expectations are usually set high as you develop your New Year’s resolution. However, after about three months into the New Year, you find yourself discouraged and unmotivated. Once again, you give up your sights on your resolution as you did the years before.

This is very common when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. Why? Because most resolutions are unrealistic and not well thought-out. However, if you develop a thoughtful New Year’s resolution and stick to it, the results can be life changing.

Short, dark days and long, cold nights. The winter months–with its frigid temperatures along with daylight-saving time–can certainly take its toll on a lot of adults. Although winter can be magicial, wonderful time of the year, it can also cause feelings of sadness for many.

While feeling sad because of the lack of sunshine and gloomy weather is considered normal, if you start feeling depressed each and every day of the winter months, you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). But don’t worry, SAD can be managed, and helpful treatment is available. Keep reading to understand more about SAD and learn some useful tips for combatting SAD: 

It seems like there are two types of people during the holidays: the ever-so-grouchy Mr. Grinch or the cheery, gleeful Cindy Lou Who. Unfortunately, the stress of the holidays can steer many of us into the “Mr. Grinch” category. 

The holiday season brings family, friends, delicious food, and fun parties. However, it can also bring a lot of unwanted stressors as well. This time of the year elicits the expectation that people should feel happy, so you may feel like something is wrong with you if you don’t feel overjoyed about the upcoming holidays. This unfulfilled expectation can warrant a lot of stress and have you counting down the days until the holiday season is over.

Wellness is a broad term that can be applied in several different ways. It can mean something a little different to everyone. When hearing the word "wellness," some might immediately think of fitness, while others may think of nutrition or diet. While eating and exercise are two vital factors in wellness, they do not account for all factors attributed to holistic wellness.

Your company is missing an opportunity if your wellness program is only focusing on physical wellbeing. Wellness programs should look at the full continuum of mental, emotional, and physical elements of an employee to improve corporate wellness. An excellent way to do this is by supporting holistic employee wellbeing.