An extended workday isn’t necessarily and agreed-upon amount of time. In fact, the definition is that the workday is longer than “normal.” Many employees who work extended workdays work 8-12 hour shifts, but they typically don’t work five days every week.

Even employees who work a “normal” work schedule don’t always work regular hours. In fact, employees who work a regular 40-hour work week usually end up working 47 hours every week on average. This is especially true for salaried employees who don’t necessarily log hours or get overtime payment.

Odds are, you’ve heard the warnings before. Stress is harmful on a variety of levels. Aside from being damaging to your mental health, stress in the workplace can:

• Destroy opportunities for teamwork
• Reduce productivity
• Diminish quality of work
• Harm the physical health of employees

We’re not naïve enough to suggest eliminating all stress from your workplace because some situations are just stressful no matter what you do. It is important, however, to recognize when your workforce is under too much stress and take steps to help employees alleviate that stress.

While the holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year, they can be the worst when it comes to maintaining healthy habits. The hustle and bustle of holiday preparations can really take a toll on everyone.

To help you handle the holidays like a champ, we’ve created a comprehensive holiday healthy guide. Download the guide for tips and tricks to stay physically, mentally, financially and emotionally healthy this holiday season.

Today’s social society means it’s no longer just you and your business who determine if you’ll be successful. Business success encompasses so much more than what goes on inside the four walls of your office.

Things like who you know, your brand image, community engagement, corporate and charitable partnerships, your experience and so much more play a role on your company’s bottom line. Business has ultimately become a more rounded field in which consumers expect you to do more than just what you do business-wise.

We all know those people who seem to sail through rough times unscathed. When the going gets tough, they’re the tough that get going. They thrive in the face of challenges and bounce back from the worst disasters. These people are simply resilient.

Resilience is important because it’s what allows people to learn and grow in difficult situations. Aside from mentally making it through, resilience is also linked to better health and energy in all situations.

Positivity is important on so many levels. Aside from positive people being healthier overall, it’s been shown that:

• Optimists are more productive
• Optimists are easier to work with, and
• Optimists are more resilient

It’s clear that an office full of positive people can be an absolute asset to your business. Positivity, however, is easier said than done.

So how can you enforce positivity where you work?

In the digital age, working remotely has become increasingly popular. Many companies have at least a few employees who either work from home, from the road, or from a corporate branch outside the main office.

These remote employees are just as vital to your business as "office" employees, and they can benefit just as much from your corporate wellness program. That being said, they really are an entirely different population. That means that while they still need to be immersed in the company culture and to feel valued by corporate leadership, they do need to be addressed differently than your employees who work in-office.

As promised, we’ve released the final chapter of our #TWGardenProject Toolkit. This chapter is an excellent summary to help you learn along with us as you plan your garden for next year.

Gratitude is a key factor in living a life filled with positivity. And, as you hopefully know, we at TotalWellness are huge advocates for positivity! Living life with an attitude of gratitude can help you take one step closer to all the health benefits that a positive outlook has to offer.

Researcher Robert Emmons, Ph. D., has found that consistently practicing gratitude can lead to a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, more restful sleep, and a generally more optimistic and happy outlook. These are not just health benefits, but personal ones that can significantly improve your quality of life.

Hygiene is important all year long, but it’s especially important during flu season. That’s because the flu can spread from person to person by germs left behind on shared objects. That’s why when someone comes to work sick, it won’t be long until you have an office epidemic on your hands.

Some places are more common hotspots for germs than other places. In your office, that includes anything that is shared or touched frequently. This means things like:

• Sink faucet handles
• Microwave door handles
• Fridge door handles
• Any other door handles
• Light switches
• Desk equipment like keyboards and phones
• Coffee pot handles
• Table tops
• Elevator or vending machine buttons