People who have never experienced anxiety before were introduced to it in a forceful way during the pandemic that started back in 2020. The virus and its trickle effect caused increased stress for many who were forced to isolate and changed the way they connected with others.

As the pandemic evolved and stretched on, the impact on mental health became quite clear —the World Health Organization reported a 25% increase globally in anxiety and depression. The lack of socializing impacted everyone from children to avid business travelers and everyone in-between.

Now, in the post-pandemic world, social anxiety, depression, and even OCD symptoms may be impacting your workers more than you know when it comes to re-entry back into the workplace. As the virus evolves and continues to infect people — even the vaccinated — again and again, these issues of mental health can’t be ignored.  

Here’s a look at how post-pandemic anxiety could be impacting your workers as they make their way back into the workplace on a more permanent basis.

Office policies can make or break a company. Making smart and healthy ones can ensure your employees thrive.

So, where does your own workplace stand when it comes to wellness policies?

Having several focused on health and well-being makes it clear that it’s important to your organization and culture to keep employees well. Popular ideas may include no smoking policies and related cessation programs or even a daily movement experience for everyone in the office to participate in.

If you aren’t sure where to start, below we outline five office policies worth trying that are focused on improving the health of your employees.

July is Ultraviolet Safety Awareness Month.

With the gorgeous long days of summer, everyone wants to be outside. Whether that’s on a boat, in the park, in the backyard, or by the pool — outdoors is the place to be for summer. But with outside time comes the dangers of damage from UV rays.

Every hour, more than two people die of skin cancer in the U.S.; more people are diagnosed with skin cancer annually than all other cancers combined. That’s why it’s important to remind your employees to slather on the sunblock, cover up, and enjoy the sun’s rays responsibly as we head into the hottest part of the year.

Read on to learn useful tips for keeping the sun’s most damaging rays away.

Need some healthy grocery shopping tips that also don’t break the bank?

With the cost of everything going up — including groceries – it’s important to remember healthy eating doesn’t necessarily need to be sacrificed. Planning ahead, shopping in bulk, and keeping an eye out for sales are just a few ways to save money and eat healthy.

Want even more ideas for shopping smart?

Read on for tips on ways to save money and shop for foods that are healthy.

Is anxiety real?

For over 40 million Americans, it’s very real. In fact, it’s the most common mental illness in the United States, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI).

Because of this, anxiety can’t be shrugged off and labeled simply as “negative thinking” or another dismissive term. Many individuals don’t receive treatment and when the condition is shrugged off by colleagues, friends, and employers, it can feel invalidating and cause even more anxiety.

Despite being treatable, only 36.9% of those suffering get treatment. Don’t let myths further fuel the misconceptions around anxiety disorders in your workplace.

Here’s a look at common myths about anxiety both employers and employees should know.

Are your employees reporting more positive at-home COVID tests?

It’s probably no surprise. With the recent arrival of the at-home test options, more individuals are testing themselves if they’re feeling ill. More people will be traveling this summer across state lines and hanging out with large crowds and with loved ones, making catching COVID more likely.

So, what does that mean for workers coming back from vacation? When can they come back to work if they do test positive at home?

Below, we share the details on the at-home COVID tests and the most updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for isolation after that positive test comes back.

Want to get your employees together for a fun summer event?

Hosting a family health and fitness day is a perfect way to do it. June 11 is officially known as Family Health & Fitness Day as sponsored by the National Recreation and Park Association. While it’s great to participate on the day of, consider this an event that’s relevant any time during the summer.

If you want to set up your own special event for your employees and their families, check out our step-by-step guide below on just how to do it.

Read on for planning tips, theme ideas, social media marketing templates, and more!

Hydration is important to keep in mind as it’s about to get incredibly hot in most places for summer. As it gets warmer, you’ll likely be more active outdoors and need to reach more often for your water bottle. Staying hydrated can help you feel your best while also avoiding heat-related illnesses

Water is essential to the body for a few reasons:

• It promotes cardiovascular health
• It keeps the body cool
• It cleanses the body
• It lubricates joints and muscles

Below, we pooled health experts’ knowledge to get you hydration myths and facts all in one spot. Learn the facts about hydration from experts like certified sports nutritionists, physiologists, and other wellness educators. They offer insight into how water isn’t the only way to hydrate the body, the truth about consuming too much water, and the advice surrounding the “eight glasses of H2O a day” saying.

Read on to dive into all you need to know about hydration as summer quickly approaches.

Ah, team engagement.

If it’s one of the areas your business does well in during every season except summer, you aren’t alone. Studies report between June and August, workplace productivity dips by about 20 percent!

Certain industries tend to experience a summer slowdown when more workers and leadership take vacations and generally soak up the short-lived summer season.

While your workforce may be ready to hit the road for multiple vacations and long weekends, that doesn't mean it needs to disrupt your regular programming for wellness at work. Keep employees excited about wellness by making it engaging and exciting to focus on their health.  

Here’s a look at 11 fun and easy summer team engagement ideas!

Unmanaged stress. COVID. Burnout. Chronic illness.

Those are probably just a few of the health struggles your employees have dealt with over the last couple of years. If you have an employee wellness program, then you likely have helped many of your employees through some of those challenges.

And if you don’t have an active corporate wellness program, now is a chance to revisit the biggest perks of marketing well-being programs to your workers. Too many employees get by feeling “okay” when their active participation in a wellness program could elevate their energy, productivity, health, and so much more.

A well-developed, targeted corporate wellness program could be a game-changer for many in your workplace. In fact, research published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that nearly 200,000 wellness participants improved five of seven health risks after one year of participation in a corporate wellness program.

Wondering if your wellness program is worth keeping or expanding? Below, we give you five of the very best benefits to employee wellness programs.