Why Have Companies Increased Focus On Corporate Wellness?

At Asheville Wellness Tours, we are passionate about well-being in all contexts – including corporate settings. We believe that we can help your workforce boost their well-being and, in turn, their productivity through wellness-focused activities. 

We would be remiss if we discussed well-being in the workplace and didn’t acknowledge the impact of Covid-19 on the workforce. 

It won’t surprise anyone that the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. The stress caused by the pandemic means that your staff’s well-being is now more critical than ever.

That’s why we love creating corporate well-being experiences to help boost the morale of your employees! If you want to learn more about our offers for virtual or in-person events in Asheville, schedule a call to get the details you need. 

Now let’s look at why it’s so important to prioritize workplace wellness.

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Improved Productivity Levels

According to Human Relations Theory, improved employee well-being translates into increased morale and then, in turn, higher productivity. 

Have you heard of a type of poor productivity called presenteeism? It means that an employee is physically at work but isn’t working. 

Several factors can contribute to presenteeism, from mental/physical health issues to stress and lack of support in the workplace.

Presenteeism can lead to depression, anxiety, and stress for the individual. For the workplace, it can lead to losses in profit and targets not being met.

That’s why at Asheville Wellness Tours we’re so passionate about our corporate wellbeing events.

A focus on corporate wellness can prevent these issues – and as we all know – prevention is often better than a cure!

Improved Retention

It says a lot about a company if its employees have been with them for five or more years. It shows that they take well-being seriously and treat their staff as human beings and not just a cog in the machine.

Did you know that the average turnover rate in 2020 was 57.3%? In 2021, that translated to 6.2 million people leaving their jobs.

A high turnover rate is costly for any company, no matter its size. Investing in your current employees offers far greater returns as you avoid the constant cycle of hiring and training new staff.

Keeping your staff’s well-being in mind is one of the easiest ways to keep them on your payroll. 

Demonstrate your commitment to their overall wellness through ongoing support, events, and resources. The options and opportunities for corporate wellness events are endless!

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A Focus on Remote Workers

The Pandemic has meant that much of the workforce now works remotely. While some studies have shown this has been beneficial for some people, for others, it has resulted in increased isolation and stress. 

Many companies have increased their focus on corporate wellness directly in response to this new remote-first work environment.

If this sounds like your company, here are some of the primary reasons why remote workers need wellness-focused activities and events.

Lack of Boundaries

Well-being is particularly paramount for remote workers, as when you work at home, it can be easy to blur your work and personal life.

It’s all too easy for employees to keep working past the end of the workday, leading to burnout and stress.

Remote workers are less likely to take breaks; even before 2020, only 1 in 3 remote employees was likely to take a proper break and 1 in 4 would eat lunch at their desk.

The lack of boundaries directly correlates to a lack in overall wellness.

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Isolation 

There are plenty of opportunities to catch up when working in a physical workspace. Whether it’s during your coffee break or if you share a morning commute. 

These interactions play an essential role in employee wellness, as staff can support each other and encourage one another to reach out if they’re struggling. 

Unfortunately, one of the adverse effects of remote working is that this “coffee break chat” doesn’t happen. 

Isolation and loneliness can cause a lot of issues for remote workers. It’s not surprising if you’ve spent the day at your desk and haven’t spoken to anyone physically that this may take a toll on your mental health.

If you’re struggling to find ways to help your employees connect, check out our tips on how to build a sense of community for remote workers.

Lack of Exercise

When you work remotely, it’s no secret that you move less. It’s estimated that some remote workers only have a 16-step commute from their bed to their desk. 

A lack of exercise can have a detrimental effect on employees’ mental health. Regular exercise can improve physical health as well as reducing anxiety and depression, so it’s paramount that your staff get their steps in!

We’re huge proponents of getting outdoors and into nature here at Asheville Wellness Tours. In fact, we offer guided forest bathing here in Asheville as well as virtual forest bathing no matter where you are in the world.

These are just a few issues that can affect remote workers, but we hope we’ve highlighted how important it is to focus on your employees’ well-being.

If you’re ready to start planning events and activities for your staff, please take a look at our corporate wellness retreats. We offer on-site and off-site options if you’re coming to Asheville or are based nearby; we also offer a variety of virtual activities that are ideal for remote teams!

If you have any questions at all, we’re always happy to chat about the variety of options we have available. Please feel free to get in touch.

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