A Culture of Wellness

How individuals and organizations can support a healthier community.

BY JENNY L. WORKMAN, BOONE HEALTH COMMUNITY HEALTH MANAGER

When most people hear the words health or wellness, they may think of diet and exercise, but health and wellness go far beyond what we eat or how we move our bodies. According to the World Health Organization, or WHO, health is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” Our health matters whether or not we have an illness or medical condition, and it can be affected by our economic situation, physical environment, personal characteristics and behaviors.

We can’t always choose the state of our health, but we can make active, conscious decisions to foster wellness. e WHO de nes wellness as the optimal state of health for groups and individuals. It’s a positive approach to living and an active process of change and growth to feel our best.

Wellness covers multiple areas of our lives, including emotional, environmental, nancial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual well-being. For each area, we can take active steps to improve our overall wellness.

Dimensions of Wellness (and how to support them)8

SOCIAL:

Connect with our family, friends, colleagues and community and build a strong support system.

• Reconnect with old friends or meet new people.

• Enjoy family dinners or lunch with coworkers.

• Volunteer in your community.

• Join a club or organization.

• Express your gratitude for others and give compliments.

EMOTIONAL:

Develop and strengthen skills to cope with stress.

• Establish a routine.

• Laugh! Don’t take life so seriously.

• Seek support from family members, friends or a professional counselor.

• Practice mindfulness activities.

• Make and keep a gratitude list.

PHYSICAL:

Prioritize your body’s needs for physical activity, balanced nutrition, sleep and medical care.

• Use a standing workstation or yoga ball at your desk.

• Join a recreational league or team sport.

• Replace sugary snacks with whole fruit.

• Get a good night’s sleep by turning off electronics before bedtime.

• If you smoke, make a plan to quit.

• Set up your medical home with a primary care provider and get regular check-ups and recommended health screenings.

INTELLECTUAL:

Exercise your creative abilities and expand your knowledge and skills.

• Do crossword puzzles or other brain games.

• Attend a play, sporting event, or live concert.

• Learn how to play an instrument or speak another language.

• Read for pleasure.

• Attend a community class or workshop to learn a new skill.

SPIRITUAL:

Embrace your search for meaning and purpose in the human experience.

• Engage in a religious practice, like prayer, meditation, or attending services.

• Commit a random act of kindness.

• Make time to connect with nature.

• Keep a journal and reflect on your personal growth.

OCCUPATIONAL:

Draw personal satisfaction and enrichment from your work.

• Focus on what you like about your job.

• Write out your career goals.

• Take breaks away from your desk or workspace.

• Connect with your coworkers.

• Look for professional development opportunities.

FINANCIAL:

Build satisfaction and security with your current and future situation.

• Attend financial literacy classes or meet with a financial advisor.

• Track your spending habits to understand how and where you spend money.

• Set a goal for saving money.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

Promote pleasant and stimulating environments that support personal and community wellness.

• Connect with nature — play or exercise outdoors.

• Participate in a community clean-up event.

• Recycle, reduce and reuse personal belongings.

• Walk or bike to work or errands a few times a week.

• Visit the farmer’s market to buy locally sourced foods.

• Adjust your home or office lighting and add more natural light if possible.

Most of us spend over half our waking hours at work — and chances are good we’re not taking care of our health as well as we could be. When we work somewhere with a culture that embraces wellness, it can make a significant difference not just at the office, but in our overall lives. Workplace wellness programs can not only result in fewer sick days, more productivity and less turnover — they also build camaraderie among employees working together to meet wellness goals, providing support and improving morale.

Personally, I’d want to work for an employer who cares about their employees’ health and well-being, which is one reason why I joined Boone Health as their new Community Health Manager. Community outreach and employee wellness are my passions — I not only have over 25 years of experience in this field, I’m a Mizzou grad who’s enjoyed building relationships with organizations throughout mid-Missouri, and I look forward to collaborating with our community partners in my new role. I also lead Boone Health’s Employee Wellness initiatives, and I am excited about fostering a strong culture of wellness for my coworkers.

While the pandemic and our transition to an independent health care organization presented many challenges, there are also opportunities for change. Boone Health Community Wellness is using this opportunity to strengthen our ability to help local organizations empower their employees to make positive lifestyle changes. Our programs will provide the resources, education and support necessary to help employees know and lower their health care risks and successfully make lifestyle changes, including screenings, presentations, health challenges and more, with each program tailored to t our community’s needs.

For more information about Boone Health Community Wellness, feel free to contact me at 573.815.3263 or jenny.workman@boone.health