From employee wellness programs to the dimensions of well-being, most everyone is aware of the importance of workplace wellness but some questions still linger when it comes to understanding the details. What is an Employee Wellness Program?

The terms employees wellness programs and workplace wellness programs generally refer to a collection of initiatives within an organization to promote healthy lifestyles among employees, and in some cases, spouses and dependents of employees.  As such, there are a number of different initiatives that, if implemented, would qualify as an employee wellness program, so long as each addresses a different area, or dimension, of well-being.

What are the Dimensions Of Well-Being?

While the notion of wellness is frequently associated with gym memberships or green smoothies, limiting the scope to just physical well-being does a disservice. Well-being is a result of complex interactions among many dimensions that, when nurtured in harmony, improve health and quality of life. Effective wellness programs are ones addressing and promoting holistic dimensions of well-being. Below are eight common dimensions of well-being that can be addressed through a workplace program

The dimensions of well-being include physical, emotional, financial, social, occupational, service, purpose, intellectual, and environmental.

Physical

While commonly thought of the aesthetic of being fit, physical well-being generally refers to the smooth running of all physical bodily functions, including the skeletomuscular system as in the case of fitness, and the digestive, circulatory, and other systems. Physical wellness is arguably the easiest dimension to promote in employee wellness programs due to its ubiquity and people’s familiarity to the concept. Initiatives that target exercise, diet, nutrition, and sleep generally fall under the umbrella of physical wellness.

Emotional

Emotional wellness refers to one’s ability to manage their own emotions and effectively express it to others. Being emotionally goes beyond the ability to handle stress to include being attentive to one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, whether positive or negative. Mental health is a closely related concept. The WHO defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” Mental health encompasses all aspects of emotional and psychological well-being, affecting how an individual acts, thinks, and feels. There are many tools organizations can use to effectively enhance employee mental health and emotional well-being.

Financial

Financial wellness refers to one’s financial stability, which is a function of income, expenses, and debts owed. Financial wellness may also be defined as being in a place where an individual is spending and saving money thoughtfully and their behaviors and thinking around personal finances contribute positively to their short-term and long-term goals. Employers can assist by implementing programs designed to help employees achieve financial literacy.

Social

A more recent addition to the scope of holistic wellness, social wellness relates to the state of one’s personal social network. As a social species, humans depend on each another, and our overall well-being depends on our sense of belonging. Wellness programs can be designed to promote positive social interactions, boost team cohesion, and improve engagement.

Occupational

Occupational wellness describes an individual’s satisfaction, fulfillment, and contentment with their work. Both work-life balance and professional development play a significant role in determining one’s occupational wellness.

Occupational well-being is not commonly discussed in the framework of wellness programs, despite being a crucial element as it influences other dimensions of wellness including mental and financial health. For example, long-term job dissatisfaction is a known trigger for stress. Initiatives that aim to address occupational wellness, in this sense, fall under the umbrella of wellness programs and should be coordinated accordingly. The programs also drive value for employee wellness programs as companies are increasingly focused on recruitment and retention benefits from their programs.

Purpose

Holistic well-being includes feeling well while maintaining values and beliefs that provide purpose in life, which allows an individual to feel at peace and in harmony with themselves and others. Sometimes referred to as spiritual well-being, purpose includes the ability to stay open-minded to others’ beliefs. Addressing purpose in wellness programs poses challenges as its an individualized journey. Raising awareness of this important dimension can help employees become more purposeful and satisfied with their lives, both professionally and personally.

Intellectual

Intellectual well-being includes elements such as active participation in scholastic, cultural, and community activities. Organizations can nurture intellectual well-being by promoting creativity, curiosity, and life-long learning through targeted wellness programs. Employees who are intellectually well, are more inclined to continuously work on expanding their knowledge and skills, and ultimately live more stimulating and successful lives.

Environmental

Climate change poses very real health risks for individuals across the globe. Not only is this bad for business but also an important cause for employers to champion. Promoting sustainable living, raising awareness, and implementing sustainable operations as a part of their wellness program are all great ways to start. Although small changes in sustainability amongst a few individuals is hard to recognize in a community or across the globe, they do make an impact.  For immediate results, employers can focus on the work environment (e.g., office air quality), which is within their locus of control.