For those working from home, it may be a pain in the neck for more reasons than one — including literal pains in the neck and back.

Thanks to improper work stations and sedentary lifestyles, neck and back pain is becoming more of a problem for at-home workers. Unfortunately, many remote workers are finding neck, back, leg, and shoulder pain are now becoming the norm, according to the UT Southwestern Medicine Center.

It’s an expensive problem for employees and employers, too.

The American Chiropractic Association reports, “Back pain accounts for more than 264 million lost work days in one year — that’s two work days for every full-time worker in the country.”

Ouch.

With remote work becoming the norm, now is the time to help your team work more comfortably. Here’s a look at how to relieve neck and back pain and how to prevent it in the first place.

Is employee engagement important?

The answer is a resounding yes.

As more companies move into hybrid work models, it’s more important than ever to keep employees engaged to minimize staff turnover and improve efficiency and productivity.

Sadly, only one in five employees actually want to work for the company they’re hired by, according to the Workforce Institute 2021 Engagement and Retention Report. Worse yet, about half of employees surveyed plan to actively job hunt this year. Eek.

A lack of employee engagement could be caused by numerous factors including: poor company communication, false alignment with the company’s mission, minimal recognition, and more.  

Below we share the importance of employee engagement and how to engage your employees even more so they never want to leave your company.

Looking for a health observance to promote at work next month?

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, an annual observance dedicated to the importance of vaccinations for all ages. For employers, this is a great time to raise awareness about which vaccines adults need, reasons to vaccinate, and how to find vaccination sites with ease.

Since the COVID vaccine rollout, there has been much interest in vaccines, how they work, why we need them, etc. 

National Immunization Awareness Month is a great opportunity to dispel COVID vaccine myths and update workers on other shots they may need beyond the COVID shot.

What does your self-care strategy look like?

If your idea of self-care is scrolling Instagram while eating last night’s cold pizza (no judgment, we’ve all been there), you might need to up your game. Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and face masks. It’s the stuff that keeps you sane, healthy, and, let’s be honest, tolerable to be around.

So let’s dive into the types, benefits, and strategies that’ll have you feeling like a million bucks (or at least not like an overworked zombie).

Short on energy to workout?

You might just need a motivational video workout to get you going.

With the hybrid work model becoming the norm, many workers are sitting a lot longer than usual. But that doesn’t have to be you or your team.

Share this post with your coworkers and employees to get them inspired to get up and move their bodies. Doing so daily can help prevent back pain and poor posture while increasing energy and blood flow. Looking to lose weight or keep cardiovascular health in check? Regular exercise does that, too.

Below, you’ll find five inspirational and motivational video workouts to offer a visual of how to do a workout that doesn’t require equipment or a change of workout clothes.

In need of some ideas for healthy road trip food options this summer?  

We’ve got you covered.

When it comes to road trip planning, mapping out routes isn’t the only important part of the process. Equally important are the road trip food options. If your usual go-to is a bag of chips, energy drinks, and handfuls of French fries, it’s time to shake up your routine.

That means a need to plan and prepare snacks for the road.

Not sure where to start? Below, we have 10 delicious and nutritious ideas to help you pack up your cooler a whole lot faster.

Get ready to get your snack on.

Wondering how to keep wellness at the center of your new hybrid work model?

Now that companies are opening back up after long periods of remote work, it’s a time for readjustment. That includes figuring out how to create a cohesive wellness strategy that benefits employees no matter their location.

As more companies implement a hybrid work model, there will be more wellness initiatives designed to accommodate flexible and ever-changing work schedules. Wellness campaigns will also require a bit more planning to be inclusive and companies need to get creative with marketing and engaging employees.

Unsure how to bridge the wellness gap between remote and in-house workers?

We reached out to experts for their best tips and practices for navigating wellness while sustaining a hybrid work model. Check out their insights below!

Looking to refresh your wellness resources?

It’s a smart move for companies looking to strengthen company culture and prove to employees that taking care of business includes employees’ health, too. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted more than just the physical health of many, but also the mental health of employees across the globe, forcing many companies to reevaluate wellness on multiple levels.

Since the pandemic’s start, people have been experiencing higher rates of stress, burnout, and mental health crises. By providing resources that make it easier for employees to include in their already jam-packed lives, they’re more likely to participate and have better results.

This guide will walk employers through wellness resources that every company should consider investing in to keep employees happy, productive, and healthy.

Here’s your insight to helping employees thrive in mind, body, and spirit.

In need of ideas to boost employee morale?

As we drag through year two of a pandemic that’s just now getting under control, it’s likely many professionals need a morale lift. In particular, educators, working parents, healthcare workers, and social workers have been strained during the uncharted pandemic waters.

A boost is what most employees need at this point. It also serves as a reminder of how quality company perks are what matter to employees — sometimes even more than a fat paycheck. Benefits like unlimited time off, relaxing break rooms, and solid recognition programs are what employees want and need right now.

If you’re fresh out of ideas for ways to lift your team’s spirits, fear not. Below we’ve compiled easy, affordable ways to get your team back into their pre-pandemic groove.

Here are 11 ways to offer activities and perks to boost employee morale:

Have you ever noticed some days your energy drains quickly?

For professionals, if you let it go on for too long, it can also extinguish your passion for work. Consistent unhealthy habits can pile up and steal your energy faster than you can replace it if you’re not careful. That includes sugar fixes in the afternoons, sitting too long, and even participating in office gossip.

What may seem like harmless lifestyle and office habits can actually have a detrimental impact on employee health and productivity. In fact, work lifestyle habits may be to blame for some of your daily fatigue.

Thankfully, there is always a way to turn negatives into positives. The below energy zappers are common culprits you can easily change.