Staff Wellness Programs

FACTS:

Employees spend approximately 36% of their waking hours at work

Employees who improve their health can. . .Improve overall fitness and mental alertnessReduce absenteeism Reduce stressLive healthier, longer lives

Research has shown that when a wellness program is available to staff:

staff morale is higher health care costs are reduced lower employee absenteeism rates higher productivity staff who are healthy and fit make

better role models for students and families

Teacher absences are associated with lower academic achievement of their students.

- Miller, RT, Murname, RJ, & Willett, JB, Do Teacher Absences Impact Student Achievement?, 2007

Key Components

Physical Activity Healthy Foods & Beverages Stress Management Weight Control & Nutrition Programs Health Screenings Cessation Programs Education & Awareness

How to get started. . .

Get Support from Administration Designate a Coordinator Survey Staff to assess health

status and interest Conduct environmental

assessment

Use assessment results to prioritize your program components and set goals and objectives.

Develop an Action Plan Market your programs

Sample Programs Health Fairs Walk Across America 10,000 Steps A Day Yoga Nutrition Cooking Classes Weight Classes Aerobics Stress Management Tobacco Cessation

Resources

MyPyramid Tracker www.mypyramidtracker.gov 5 A Day

www.5aday.org/educators/wellness/index.php CDC

www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/stress/pdf Healthy Arkansas

www.arkansas.gov/ha/pdf/worksite_wellness.pdf Arkansas Tobacco Quitline

www.stampoutsmoking.com/resources.html

Sample Wellness Survey

www.arkansascsh.org

LifeSynch

Extensive Health Library Get Fit Virtual Trainer Personal Tracker Chat Rooms Email Health Coaching

LifeSynch Information

www.lifesynch.com

www.lifesynch.com/arwellness