How to Incorporate Employee Wellness into Your Training Program

The topic of employee wellness has become increasingly more prevalent as workplace stress and burnout continue to plague employees, managers, and leaders in organizations. In fact, the World Health Organization lists chronic workplace stress as the leading cause of burnout. Employee wellness is more important than ever in our constantly connected world, as employees feel as though they can never fully disconnect. Therefore, companies should support wellness throughout the organization by building wellness into their training programs. Here are helpful ways to help employees feel their best and promote wellness:

1) Teach Time-Management Skills: Employees often feel stress because they are overwhelmed (e.g., too much to do and not enough time or resources to do it). One way to combat this overwhelming pressure is by teaching proper time-management skills. Employees may not realize how many common daily tasks (e.g., checking email, unproductive meetings, etc.) get in the way of completing their work, which leaves them working long hours and feeling exhausted by the end of the day. Start the training session by having employees analyze their daily work routine to understand exactly where the time goes. Next, teach effective time management skills, such as proper planning and prioritization, organization, communication, interpersonal skills, delegation, and goal-setting. Discuss the challenges of over-committing and provide tips on how employees can respectfully decline the obligation if it does not align with their direct duties or goals. By teaching time-management skills, employees gain the confidence to control how their day is organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed continuously.

2) Teach Stress-Management Techniques: Stress is inevitable in the workplace with the pressures from customers, colleagues, vendors, bosses, and business owners. Stress needs to be managed properly to avoid negative side effects such as illness, fatigue, low morale, anxiety, burnout, etc. Some useful stress-management techniques include taking a moment to stretch and adjust posture, taking a few deep breaths, meditating, taking a walk, grabbing a snack or beverage, and taking a few minutes to journal about things you are grateful for or that you appreciate about your job. The key is to teach employees that when they start to feel stressed, they take a moment to engage in one of these activities to help redirect their focus and calm their nervous system.

3) Teach the Power of Positivity Stress often produces negative emotions or thoughts; however, these thoughts only compound the problem. Teaching employees how to stay positive, especially in challenging times, is key to creating a culture of positivity and supporting wellness. Some useful tips include having employees analyze any negative self-talk or negative/complaining statements they are making to others. Often, employees may not realize how much negativity has crept into their daily routine. Teach employees to shift their focus, so when they feel a negative thought or comment, they redirect to find a solution or take a moment to reflect on how they can change their response to the situation. Lastly, discuss the importance of accountability for one’s emotions and actions. Make employees aware that their attitude is a choice, and having a positive attitude not only benefits their wellness but also benefits those with whom they engage. Training employees how to recognize and regulate their emotions is essential to cultivating positivity.

At SGEi, we focus on leadership, sales, and service training. We offer a variety of training programs customized to your company’s needs. Connect with us to learn how we can enhance your employees’ customer service skills.