Workplace wellness means a whole lot more than just staying fit. It means keeping your mind sharp, stress levels down, and engaging in other healthful activities. Which means…it’s going to look different for everyone. 

Don’t get us wrong. We’re not throwing shade at workplace wellness. As an employment service, we strive to place candidates in companies that prioritize well-being. But the smartest local businesses work with their team members to grow workplace wellness programs. Because a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t what gives the best returns.

For instance, some may find great benefits from using a standing desk, while others need to sit more often. Some may get energized by fitness challenges. Others, not so much. Let’s take a look at some of the top trends in workplace wellness so you can make the best wellness decisions for you and your team. 

Standing Desks Make It Easier to Get Moving 

The standing desk is a great way to keep from being sedentary. It encourages movement, physical alignment, and can have strengthening effects. Some employees even choose to add treadmills. It’s a fantastic way to get your steps in, while also getting some work done. 

But these setups are not for everyone. Some prefer to sit in order to concentrate. Standing may offer too much temptation to get up and move around the office. 

A standing setup also needs to be used with a fair bit of balance, no matter who you are. Standing for seven or eight hours a day can have just as many physical cons as sitting. Lower limb swelling, foot pain, and lower back pain are common. Loss of mental sharpness can occur with too much standing, too. 

The best compromise is to find ways to both stand and sit throughout the day. This could mean going for a walk after lunch or having a hybrid desk that can fold upwards when you want to stand. 

Are Mindfulness Apps Worth It? 

Mindfulness has been one of the biggest workplace wellness trends of the last decade, and it’s easy to see why. A practice that encourages inner reflection and lowering stress, mindfulness helps people be fully present in what they’re doing. It can foster more productivity and create happier workplaces. 

One popular way mindfulness is practiced at work is with the use of apps. These apps can be a great tool for anyone looking to add the practice into their full schedules. Resources like Headspace, Calm, Meditopia, and Unplug all contain guided meditations that promote relaxation and presence. Some are totally free, while others have a subscription cost. 

Giving team members the opportunity to try out different options can lead to the greatest benefits. Some people report the meditations in a particular app can be too long or too area specific. Some may find that instead of the app, they prefer a good walk in the woods to clear their heads. Again, it’s all a matter of preference, but this is one trend we think has more pros than cons if you give it a go. 

Fitness Challenges Are Great For Some But Not All 

Fitness challenges have proven to be a great way of increasing employee engagement. They can boost morale by fostering an atmosphere of friendly competition and goal-setting. Everyone can celebrate when goals are met, which helps create community within the company. 

Plus, employees who engage in fitness challenges tend to feel more valued by their employer because they’ve taken it upon themselves to encourage wellness. Still, they aren’t for everyone. 

One of the biggest potential drawbacks of a fitness challenge is that there may be some employees who just don’t want to participate. They could be self-conscious about their own fitness or feel a sense of exclusion for team members with health conditions or disabilities. 

So instead of creating mandatory workplace fitness challenges, employers should consider making them voluntary instead. Think about implementing a more broad scope of wellness offerings, from yoga classes to an on-site gym to nutritional counseling. Then team members can move in the direction that feels right for them. 

Mental Health Initiatives Transform Company Cultures 

Lastly, we have the big one: mental health. This is the Number One workplace wellness trend and for good reason. Workers are more stressed out than they ever have been before. Long hours, increased workloads, and tight deadlines all contribute, not to mention everything happening outside of work that takes a toll on people’s mental health. Employers would do well to make this a top priority. Encouraging mental health days and providing workers with the resources they need on-site are huge pros to prioritizing mental health. 

But some employers may worry that incentivizing options like mental health days will lessen productivity. In contrast, appropriate mental health support can lead to major gains in workplace results. The key is to create clear policies surrounding these benefits. And with continuous attention to building a strong company culture, employees will be committed to supporting each other, as well. 

At Masiello Employment Services, worker wellness is one of our top priorities. That’s why we work hard to ensure our job candidates are placed with companies that value their wellness as much as we do. We work closely with top local employers in Western Massachusetts and Southern Vermont & New Hampshire to make sure our job seekers are heading to places where they matter. 

If this sounds like your company and you’re ready to grow your team, get in touch! And if you’re a job seeker in search of a new job and new life, we’d love to hear from you! Call 603-358-1000 and let’s start a conversation.