Embracing Wellness During Professional Wellness Month

Employers and organizations are put under a microscope each June during Professional Wellness Month to see how they are creating a holistic workplace environment that promotes health and wellness. With employees being the most important asset a company has, companies need to take the necessary measures to ensure their employees feel supported and safe. It has been found that employees who feel safe have increased engagement, loyalty, and longevity within an organization.?

Despite the workplace initiatives and statistics showcasing the benefits of healthy employees, only 33% of employees are “thriving” in their well-being according to a 2022 global report from Gallup. With this startling fact, employees and individuals need to take their wellness into their own hands and not rely as heavily on a workplace to fulfill wellness needs. To do this, work-life balance is crucial.?

Work-life balance is a term thrown around by professionals. I have come to find that it is possible with a few life adjustments, the most important being adjusting our outlook on life.?

At Work?

There are 168 hours in a week. We spend about 56 hours sleeping, about 40 hours working, about 5 hours commuting to and from work, and 7 hours eating and drinking, which only leaves individuals with about 60 hours a week to do as they please. As shown in these numbers, work is a very large portion of how we spend our waking hours as adults, so finding ways to promote wellness in the workplace is just as beneficial as doing so outside the workplace.

To help promote workplace wellness, here are three things employees can do:?

1. Set Realistic Goals: Each person’s day-to-day looks different. When setting realistic goals it is important to make sure three things are present with each goal: time, resources, and relevance.?
2. Practice Time Management: Through proper planning, I encourage all BCBAs to build small breaks throughout the day. For example, building in a 30-minute lunch break so you are giving yourself the time to reset.?
3. Limit Distractions: Give your focus to the task at hand. At times, when we cloud our minds and environment with too many things, it has a counterproductive response to the task at hand. Each child and technician we work with deserves to get the best version of us.?

At Home?

In addition to the workplace tips provided above, I wanted to share three practices that can be used to promote wellness at home.

1. Limit Workplace Distractions: Although work is important and the clients we serve are important, it is crucial to disconnect when you get home. It can be easy to bring home the emotions of the day but take the necessary measures to leave it all at the door. Stressing over what did or did not happen at work will not change what happened. Stressing over what could or could not happen will not help you form solid solutions. Instead, give yourself the time and autonomy to not think about work. I have found through personal experience that this disconnection helps me come back refreshed and ready to find solutions.??
2. Be Present: At home, be present. When you look back at life, it will be the moments with those you love that stand out the most, not the time you spent not thinking about work-related responsibilities.?
3. Scheduling: Much like with work, make sure you schedule time to spend with your loved ones. For example, if you can’t dedicate every night to spending with friends and family, doing something like dedicating Friday nights to having a game night or watching movies can increase those friendships and familial connections.?

At the end of the day, balance is the goal. Although not always achievable, setting the precedent for what you want and how you will get it will put you on the path to success.