I Can Benefit

Hollywood Stars or American Celebrities

This is another fun activity focusing on healthful losing weight or maintenance.

o  Participants select a secret code name (the name of a Hollywood star or other celebrity).

o  Participants weigh-in with a “trusted” confident privately - at which time a healthy weight goal is set for the period of the contest.

o  Post a chart with everyone’s secret name assigning each a starting weight of zero.

o  Participants weigh themselves weekly and submit the weight with their code name on the paper.

o  Weight is expressed about a starting weight of zero. for example +4 would indicate a weight gain of four pounds; while â.”2 would indicate a weight reduction of two pounds.

o  Future weigh-ins should be in relation to the starting weight, not the previous week’s weight.

o  The chart is kept current and posted publicly by Wellness Committee.

o  Post a “weight control hint of the week” next to the tracking chart.

o  Provide “take one” handouts on weight management education or motivational tips by the chart.

o  Celebrate employee progress after the activity.

Wellness Book/Journal Club and/or Book Exchange

Similar to any other book discussion group, the readings and focus of this group is health. With a wide “health” definition, many subjects can be appropriate including communication, self-improvement, relationships, money management, environment, ecology, recreation, cooking, etc.

Let the group choose the topics and books. Another suggested idea is to establish a book swap area where readers can trade the book(s) for those that others have left for trade.

Pre-Be certain to work Stretching Group

Several minutes of gentle stretching is a great way to safely begin the workday. A specialist fitness instructor may  be brought in to teach proper stretching techniques.

After that, most often an internal group can meet and run itself. Give periodic refresher sessions with the personal trainer or instructor to vary the routine and help keep participants motivated.

Considerations for worksite stretching -

o  Make sure to work with your Management Team for stretching endorsement.

o  Stretches should be taught by a knowledgeable and certified person.

o  Even though pre-work stretches are done on an worker’s personal time, the question of corporation liability will likely arise, specifically when someone reports an associated stretching injury.

Consult your corporation’s legal counsel and/or contact your corporation workers’ compensation carrier to help in design of an staff member release of liability waiver.

Worksite Chair Massage

Bring in a qualified massage therapist to offer chair massage at the employees’ expense. These massages are done fully clothed with the recipient seated in a chair.

The therapist brings in a special chair that fully supports the head and shoulders while an upper body massage is given. Sessions are typically 15 minutes, with an typical cost between $12.00 - $15.00 per session.

Post a sign up sheet with appointments at intervals recommended by the therapist. Be sure the therapist is licensed. It will be necessary to provide a private space. A group of “regulars” may evolve which can establish a regular massage schedule.

Obtain an agreement with executive management so staff members can trade massage time for coffee or personal break time.  Note - executive management may want the therapist to supply proof of liability insurance.

Art at Work

Art can be a good way to nurture employees’ creative side and help them manage stress at the same time. Bring in various art and craft supplies once a month and let the creative juices flow.

If participants are willing, have a temporary “art show” later that day. Or, feature worker art during certain months or times of the year. Make sure to encourage workforce to post their art in their personal workspaces.

Healthy Email-a-Week

Develop an email list of colleagues who want to receive an inspirational, funny or educational health quote, thought, tip or idea once a week by email.

Ask members of the Health Promotion Committee to collect ideas initially, and then ask the members of the email list to contribute ideas and information as time goes on. Follow all organization rules regarding work time and email protocols.

Hobby Show or Demonstrations

Hobbies are excellent stress management tools. Make sure to encourage staff members to show off their talents by sponsoring a “hobby fair” or demonstration. Send around a sign up sheet.

See who’d be willing to bring in samples of their hobby, and maybe even do a live demonstration. Fairs or demonstrations can be scheduled as a group activity or brown bag that authorizes interested staff members to interact.

Or, hobby sharing can be done in groupings by topic over a scheduled period of time, authorizing for a brief presentation and/or demonstration for the hobbyist.