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Caring for the Whole Person

The Role of Wellness Programs

A Path to Better Health and Wellness is a path to greater job satisfaction, reduced staff related costs, less absenteeism, reduced staff turnover, higher individual productivity and, ultimately, higher profits.

Some Examples:

  • ANZ Bank’s Breakout cost in the vicinity of $1,140 per person. So far well over 17,000 people have been put through this program, designed to enhance Emotional Intelligence as a tool to improve customer relations and team synergy.
  • A survey of Health and wellbeing programs in Australian Workplaces, published in the Australian Humans Resources Institute Journal revealed a return of between $4 and $11 for every $1 spent in terms of improved productivity and reduced labor related costs.
  • The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that Health and wellbeing programs reduce staff turnover by 11%.
  • Hewitt Association suggest that most top 25 companies in Australia have incorporated work/life balance programs into their companies.
  • A study at Citibank, Johnson and Johnson and Pepsi Co revealed Health and wellbeing initiatives produced ROI of between 130%-300%.
  • The Australian Bureau of Statistics also demonstrated in 1999 that Smokers take an average of 15 hours more sick leave per year than non-smokers.
  • Employees who have a low rating of cardiovascular fitness on average record 2.5X the rate of absenteeism than fit employees.
  • Employee Satisfaction ratings have also shown extremely positive results when Wellness programs are implemented within a workplace.
  • Often, employee opinion surveys are the major measurement tool.

Creating a Path to Wellness

  • Hydration is a key factor. The average Australian adult is chronically dehydrated, leading to fatigue, which can result in poor performance or errors in judgement. It is a major cause of sleepiness whilst driving and can lead to chronic degenerative conditions like osteo-arthritis.

    • Key Points:

    • Most Australians Dehydrated
    • The Physiology is Simple
    • There is a constant need to re-hydrate
    • A need to maintain positive hydration
    • The benefits include: Better concentration
    • Enhanced energy levels
    • Reduced degeneration
  • Poor Sleep Habits lead to frustration and chronic tiredness which reduce a person’s individual productivity and can lead to sickness or mental difficulties.

    • Key Points:

    • Using the Melatonin effectively
    • Evening habits
    • Television
    • Preparation for Sleep
    • Eating Habits at Night
  • Real, Unbiased Education is a major key. Teaching people useful, helpful tools to enhance their own lifestyles has been proven to be most effective. When people feel like they are being “cajoled” into something, they are less likely to listen. However, when beneficial information is presented as a gift, with no expectation, the recipients are more likely to treat the information with a sense of curiosity and willingness to explore.

    • Key Points:

    • Drug Companies
    • Dairy Industry
    • Meat and Livestock Corporation
    • Cholesterol
      • V
    • egetable Fats
    • Sugar
    • The use of the terms “Lite” and “Healthy”
  • Disease and Sickness Prevention programs can be used to reduce sicknesses like colds, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and perhaps ultimately more serious conditions like heart disease.

    • Key Points:

    • Society lacks a strong Conscience
    • People need information to be empowered
    • Education must come from people who carry no sponsorships,
    • Have no product to sell or have no vested interests.
    • Who is taking care of people?
    • What role can an employer play?
  • Achievable Exercise Solutions are crucial. A person cannot be inspired to participate in exercise if the prescriptions are complicated or the options appear too advanced or difficult. The best start is any sort of start. The rest will come later.

    • Key Points:

    • Finding a Starting Point
    • Progress, no matter how slow
    • Defeating poor habits and replacing them with positive habits
    • Exercise Opportunities
    • Encouragement and support
  • Laughter and Socialisation are a major key. Feeling good requires a person to have a sense of fun, to feel connected to and accepted by others.

    • Key Points:

    • Laughter is the best medicine
    • Norman Cousens’ Choice of Therapy
    • The power of support and community
    • Prof. Dean Ornish’s Work with Heart Disease
    • The role of Creative Expression
    • The Importance of Peace and Harmony

    Reliance on our Health Care System may not produce the Results we seek. One in 40 scripts has an error. 500,000 hospital admissions annually due to script errors. Medical and Hospital Errors claim 18,000 lives annually – a cost of $4 billion. From Melbourne Herald Sun Dec 28th, 2003

    A Solution

    • Start with Educational Programs
    • Following the education – Ask employees what they want.
    • Empower the employees to contribute to the design of a more Well Workplace
    • Set a budget based on what you think you can save.
    • Build progressively.

    For Further Advice, contact Margie at Vibes Fitness to book your wellness program in your company today.

    ©2006 Vibes Fitness
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