IT’S TIME FOR “ECO-INTELLIGENT” WORKPLACE WELLNESS!

Workplace Wellness Initiatives Aim to Keep Employees

Healthy and Happy, and Businesses in the Black

You’ve likely heard the term “workplace wellness” which is sometimes referred to as corporate well-being. It’s a term that’s used to describe programs and activities that are designed to incentivize healthy behavior in the workplace. The benefits to employees are a more positive and productive workplace where they can reduce stress and enhance their physical health. The benefit to companies is lower healthcare costs and less employee absenteeism and turnover.

Examples of Workplace Wellness Initiatives

Some workplace wellness initiatives offer medical screenings, fitness programs, and healthy eating programs. Others provide mental health services and activities such as yoga and meditation. A number of big companies have already implemented successful workplace wellness programs, for example, Warner Brothers, Nike, and Chase Manhattan Bank. And, of course, others are in the process of adopting them, even though, overall, there are not nearly enough of them. I’ll share an example of a workplace “Un-Wellness” scenario a bit later in this article.

I Recently Received an Invitation to Participate in a Workplace Wellness Initiative

Recently I was invited to participate in a workplace wellness initiative. The invitation was issued to me by a former acquaintance of mine who I met in 2000 when I served as the Marketing Communications Director for a company known as NU RITUALS, that his friend founded. While reconnecting with this acquaintance and hearing of his appreciation for my work and the plans he was executing for a Workplace Wellness initiative, I instantly recognized that it was a timely opportunity for me. I had dipped my toe into the corporate environment a couple of years prior, after participating in a training that taught me how to obtain corporate sponsorships. But because the only two things to come out of that experience were 1) frustration; I didn't care for the chase, and 2) a job offer on the West Coast, which wasn’t a realistic pursuit, I continued to do what I do best: develop educational content. (Sometimes, it takes a village to accomplish things we can't easily do ourselves.)

My Associate, I’m Happy to Say, Sees the Value to Employees of Eco-Intelligent Living

If you’re wondering what I have been asked to contribute to my associate’s workplace wellness initiative, that’s a discussion in progress. But suffice it to say, he and his team have expressed a keen interest in my “eco-intelligent” lifestyle philosophy, one that is imprinted in all of the books I’ve written (20 in total) and many of the online courses I’ve created which have grown out of them.

My Educational Tools, I Believe, Speak to The Needs of Many who Are Concerned about The Connection Between Planetary Health and Personal Health

For those of you who are familiar with my offerings (which, this year, earned accreditation from the International Association of Coaches, Trainers & Mentors), you're likely aware that I’ve created nutrition courses that promote eco-intelligent farming, cooking, and eating. I’ve also created parenting courses that support busy moms and dads in their efforts to raise eco-intelligent kids and special needs kids. (Truthfully speaking, I believe all kids growing up in today’s world have special needs.) I’ve also created teaching aids for educators and young adults that make learning about eco-intelligent living easy and fun. And, I've created Eco-Mentor Leadership training courses for women (younger and older alike) that inspire them to create a healthy and spiritually fulfilling way of life.

Those Who Want to Reshape the Culture, Will, I Believe, Benefit Most from My Offerings

The workplaces and workers that I believe will resonate with my offerings the most are those who are interested in shaping the culture in new ways. Not only the workplace culture but the global culture at large. The term "Cultural Creative" was originally coined in 2000 by sociologist Paul H. Ray to describe a large segment of Western society that had recently developed beyond the paradigms of traditionalists and modernists. The Cultural Creatives were described as a demographic that cared about the environment and social issues and made purchases according to their values and the impact their decision would have on the planet. They were also described as people who were invested in education, and who took a deep interest in mental and spiritual growth, as well as physical fitness.

Workplace “Un-Wellness” Remains a Serious Issue for Many

Workplace “Un-Wellness”, which I mentioned I would address at the start of this article, is a situation that countless people are contending with. This is unfortunate because it thwarts people’s efforts to be in tune with their authentic needs, carve out a path of wellness, and explore cultural creativity. Not long ago, my 41-year-old son Bo, suffered a stroke. (Shocking and disheartening, right?!) Although his medical incident cannot be blamed on one thing, I believe, as does he, that the pressure to perform at a high level at his workplace and to meet deadlines set forth by his boss, certainly didn't help. After finding out from his doctor that he had suffered a stroke, he asked his superior for a week off so he could gather himself, make plans for his physical therapy, and figure out how he was going to cough up $20,000 to pay for his medical bills out-of-pocket. While she granted him those days off, it was only a week later, when after returning to work, and not feeling anything like his normal self, she pressured him to give her an answer about his capacity to continue working full time.

In his role as a meteorologist, he was (is) expected to handle his daytime on-air duties, which involved delivering dozens of global forecasts back-to-back under the glare of bright lights, which caused him to experience disorientation. He was (is) also expected to handle overnight duties at the airport. In his overnight role, he was exposed to fumes originating from jet fuel. Fumes are toxic to all people, but they are especially harmful to a person who needs to recover from a brain injury. Yet despite his best efforts to communicate this fact to his boss, she made little effort to accommodate his needs (the need to be excused from the environment) beyond suggesting that he wear a flimsy black mask over his nose when he was at work.

Physical Toxins in the Workplace Contribute to Employee Stress & Illness

Workplace Wellness initiatives, you might agree with me, need to include a discussion about the importance of eliminating, or at the very least, minimizing toxins in the workplace. Toxins often originate from unexpected sources, including chemicals and other irritants. Some common offenders include mold (which my son was also exposed to at his weather forecasting job), radiation (emitted from wireless technologies), asbestos, arsenic, ammonia, benzene, chloroform, carbon monoxide, carbon tetrachloride, zinc, lead, mercury, iodine, formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, uranium, and many more.

Did You Know:

Formaldehyde: is found in resins applied to plywood, paneling, fiberboard, and particleboard, as well as in some backings and adhesives for carpets.
Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Sulfur Dioxide: are produced by malfunctioning heating devices.
Allergens and Irritants (such as dust, mold, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) get trapped inside of poorly ventilated office buildings, and can cause both allergies and neurological symptoms.

As Someone Who Grew Up with Environmental Illness,

I'm Devoted to Educating Others about the Value and Necessity of Clean, Green Living

As someone who grew up with environmental illness, which was caused in part by my mother’s exposure to toxins at her workplace (before she became pregnant with me) I was led to learn about how toxins harm the health of people and the planet. Education is where I found my power to heal, and to use my healing as a catalyst for healing the earth.

Do You Work at a Company that Needs to Adopt a Workplace Wellness Initiative?

(Take My Workplace Assessment Quiz)

Do you ever feel isolated and unsupported by your superiors or co-workers at your workplace?
Do you ever think that the management team within your company makes it difficult for you to set boundaries that prioritize your well-being?

Does your boss sometimes expect you to be available at all hours of the day or night, even on weekends when you’re supposed to have time off?

How can you envision improving the health of your physical workplace environment?

What policies would you like to see the company you work for instate that would encourage respectful communications between the owners, the management teams, and you?
Do you see the value of holistic health, which is achieved through balancing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your being?
Would you appreciate having access to online courses that support you in creating a healthy, non-toxic, eco-conscious lifestyle?

Reach Out to Learn More about Intelligent Workplace Initiatives

If you work at a corporation or company that you believe would benefit from adopting an eco-intelligent workplace wellness initiative, feel free to reach out to me. I'd be happy to pass on your contact info to my Workplace Wellness associate. But even if you don't work for a corporate entity because you've chosen the path of an entrepreneur, --remember that workplace wellness in the home matters, too!