Professional Wellness Month is celebrated each year in June and it throws light on the workplace’s role in creating a holistic environment for employees. It also focuses on how organizations that place emphasis on professional wellness are largely successful, attract top talent, and drive employee retention. There is no substitute for professional wellness and it is a key factor in ensuring the overall growth of an organization.
History of Professional Wellness Month
Adults spend a significant portion of their lives working in their offices. Therefore it is important that there is a healthy connection between work and an individual’s overall well-being. There is enough research to show that the personal well-being of an individual, which comprises a good exercise routine, healthy diet, sleep patterns, etc., makes them highly productive and valuable to an organization.Therefore professional organizations need to step up their game and create an environment where their employees can thrive and be happy and healthy. It is also in the best interest of companies to invest in the professional wellness of their employees since it can lead to increased productivity, higher engagement levels, and a robust work culture. Many successful organizations focus on the physical and mental well-being of their employees.Professional Wellness Month was created with the very idea to showcase the importance of maintaining a satisfying work culture and the direct correlation between professional wellness and a happy and stress-free individual. This month encourages companies to take steps in the right direction to foster professional wellness. It also incentivizes individuals to take charge of their lives and adopt healthy habits that are imperative for their personal and professional development.
Professional Wellness Month timeline
An Italian physician Bernardino Ramazzini writes about the effects of work exposure on workers.
Welsh social reformer Robert Marcus Owen proposes an eight-hour workday to protect the well-being of the workforce.
Companies in the U.S. start offering Employee Assistance Programs (EPA) focused on mental health issues.
Johnson & Johnson starts its Live for Life program, which is recognized as the prototype for big corporate worksite wellness.
Professional Wellness Month FAQs
How do you celebrate Wellness Month?
There are multiple ways to celebrate Professional Wellness Month. You can take time off work, introduce employee engagement activities, focus on personal health, etc. You can even visit a counselor if you are reeling from work stress.
What is Professional Wellness Month?
Professional Wellness Month is largely celebrated in the United States. “Together, participating organizations in the United States will raise awareness about the benefits of a healthy workforce, emphasizing the relationship between employee health, employee productivity, and organizational success,” says “Corporate Wellness Magazine.”
Why is professional wellness important?
Professional wellness is important as it promotes a healthy work-life balance, helps to reduce stress levels, encourages personal and professional growth, and improves the overall quality of life.
How To Celebrate Professional Wellness Month
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Take a break from work
During Professional Wellness Month, it is completely okay to take a few days off from work. You can use this time to catch up on some errands or pursue hobbies that you’ve put on the back-burner. You can finally read that book you’ve been wanting to, watch movies, or simply allow yourself to rest and do nothing. It is important to be able to recharge to perform better in life.
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Reconnect with your colleagues
Reach out to some colleagues that you may have lost touch with. Check up on colleagues who may seem stressed or overburdened with work. If possible, offer to help them out and ease their burden. Reconnecting with colleagues can help to foster a more friendly environment at work.
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Introduce a fitness class at work
Fitness is an important part of the overall well-being of any individual. Many people do not get time to exercise citing hectic work schedules. How about introducing a fitness class at work itself? It can be anything fun like a yoga or Zumba class before or after work hours for 30 minutes.
5 Fascinating Facts About Workplace Wellness
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It helps in recruitment
A good workplace wellness culture will help to attract the right talent as people want to work with such companies.
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It helps in retaining talent
An employee who is experiencing high levels of job satisfaction is unlikely to leave the organization unless for a personal emergency.
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Varieties of workplace wellness
Professional wellness comes in various forms such as in-house healthy snacks, a pet-friendly policy, standing desks, regular breaks, etc.
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It improves company goodwill
A good wellness culture improves the company’s goodwill when employees speak about it with their peers.
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It helps people make better lifestyle choices
A good workplace environment will help an individual lead a healthy lifestyle and not resort to unhealthy habits to cope with stress.
Why We Love Professional Wellness Month
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It improves productivity
Professional Wellness Month aims to focus on the well-being of all employees at the organization. This can in turn lead to a healthy work environment, boost employee morale, and, finally, improve productivity.
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It improves teamwork
A productive work environment that is free of toxicity and stress is essential to the growth of the employees and organization. Such an environment fosters teamwork and encourages a more cohesive work model between teams that ultimately leads to the success of the organization.
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It promotes a healthy lifestyle
If the individual is happy and satisfied at work, it’s more likely that they won’t be stressed out and this will lead to a happier personal life. The absence of stress will promote an overall healthy lifestyle.
Professional Wellness Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | June 1 | Thursday |
| 2024 | June 1 | Saturday |
| 2025 | June 1 | Sunday |
| 2026 | June 1 | Monday |
| 2027 | June 1 | Tuesday |
