Workplace Wellness and Well-being: Unraveling the Distinction
"Hey there! Let's talk about the difference between wellness and well-being – two topics that might seem similar but have unique perspectives.
Wellness is all about the active pursuit of practices, lifestyles, and activities that promote overall health and well-being. This holistic approach encompasses various dimensions of health, including physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects. It's about making smart choices to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle, like regular exercise, stress management techniques, a nutritious diet, and seeking preventive healthcare.
Well-being, on the other hand, is about an individual's overall state of happiness and satisfaction with life. It's influenced by factors like personal circumstances, relationships, personal values, financial security, and environmental factors. You can think of it as a measure of the overall quality of life and how well one's needs and desires are being met.
So, while wellness focuses on proactive actions and behaviors that promote health across multiple dimensions, well-being considers a broader perspective on one's overall happiness and life satisfaction. Wellness is often seen as a means to achieve well-being by taking care of specific aspects of health, but well-being takes into account a wider range of factors that contribute to a person's overall happiness and life satisfaction.
Now, let's talk about work – a place where wellness and well-being might not always shine. Fast-paced corporate environments can lead to serious mental and physical health issues like carpal tunnel, anxiety, burnout, and even heart disease.
But there's a change happening! For years, we've dismissed health as something to manage individually. However, attitudes around work-life balance and corporate responsibility have evolved. The introduction of the chief wellness officer and the rise of corporate culture are positive steps towards healthier workplaces, particularly in terms of wellness and well-being.
At Gardenuity, we believe in wellness and well-being as separate but complementary categories. Building these approaches into company culture not only creates jobs that people can't wait to leave but also provides employees the space to take charge of their physical and mental health. As our co-founder and CEO, Donna Letier, puts it, "The best thing we can do for people [as business leaders] is to give them permission to invest in themselves."
Here's the deal – workplace wellness and well-being require distinct approaches:
Workplace Wellness vs. Well-being
Wellness deals with physical health, including physical activity, strength, immunity, etc. In the workplace, this could look like providing educational resources on carpal tunnel, hosting a bike-to-work event, or offering gym memberships as part of employee benefits.
Well-being, however, is more fluid and encompasses mental health support, fostering a peaceful work environment, and preventing burnout. In today's office, this might mean a morning meditation series, unlimited paid time off, mental health assistance programs, and outdoor workspaces that offer a change of scenery.
So whether you're a decision-maker or an employee, it's time to bring wellness and well-being programs to your company. Use these ideas as a starting point for conversations about workplace health.
As a Decision-Maker:
As a decision-maker, you have the power to create a healthy work environment that attracts and retains employees. Although it can be easy to talk about these things, it can be hard to implement them successfully. If your company has never addressed wellness or well-being, now's the time to start! Start with small changes that will help workers shift without coming off as preachy or perfunctory. Consider gifting gym memberships, creating an HR-compiled list of mental health professionals covered by company insurance, or setting up outdoor workspaces. Once those changes prove successful, consider appointing a chief wellness officer to intensify the well-being initiatives.
As an Employee:
As an employee, you have a voice too! In this job market, employers should seriously consider taking care of their assets – that's you! Compile a list of programs you'd like to see implemented, starting with something as simple as fruit in the breakroom and ranging to additional days of leave for mental health. If you're told there aren't enough resources for changes, suggest affordable or free initiatives like a bike-to-work competition or a self-led meditation series.
Moreover, take advantage of the programs that your office offers. It's hard to justify time and expense for health initiatives if no one's participating. Showing your face regularly at events will signal to higher-ups that you're serious about workplace health, which may prompt discussions about what you'd like to see moving forward. Who knows? Maybe you'll be the next chief wellness officer!"
- Incorporating mental health support and fostering a tranquil work environment can aid in preventing burnout, which is a crucial aspect of workplace well-being.
- Science supports the link between physical activity and wellness, with regular exercise contributing to improved physical health and overall well-being.
- To promote holistic health and well-being in the workplace, Gardenuity advocates for a combination of workplace wellness programs (such as gym memberships or carved-out time for meditation) alongside initiatives that focus on mental health support and a positive work culture.
