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WELLNESS WORKS: THE AREA’S HOLISTIC EXPERIENCE
THIS IS PART OF AN ONGOING SERIES:
WHAT IS MAKING THE TRIANGLE AREA SO DESIRABLE?
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Photo by EQRoy/Shutterstock.com Neuse River Trail in Raleigh; Photo by Wileydoc/Shutterstock.com
WELLNESS WORKS:
THE AREA’S HOLISTIC EXPERIENCE
BY ERICA JEVONS SIZEMORE
Wellness is more than simply enjoying an illness-free life. It is a dynamic process of becoming aware of and making choices towards change and growth, characterized by fulfi llment, health, happiness, prosperity, and welfare. How much do Triangle area residents prioritize wellness… a lot! Qualities which comprise wellness are incorporated into the Triangle lifestyle and the area has deservedly been recognized for its focus on wellness over the years, and most recently, Raleigh was ranked #3 among the Happiest Cities in America by Men’s Health Magazine for 2021. The Men’s Health study, which surveyed over 100 of the largest cities in the country, identifi ed characteristics a ‘happy’ person would embody by their physical and mental health, as well as fi nancial and general wellbeing. For the businesses and residents across the region - and specifi cally those who’ve lived in the area for many years - this comes as no surprise. With easy access to the mountains and the beach, a focus on fi tness, robust healthcare system, and support by local government to promote residents’ quality of life with outdoor experiences, a commitment to affordability, safety and welfare, the Triangle naturally encourages wellness.
Happy people have a strong wellbeing! With community and local engagement, strong employment, income equality, home ownership, and access to housing, a positive environment and overall physical health across the region, it comes as no surprise to fi nd national and international recognition centered around the wellness and quality of life of Greater Raleigh area residents. conducts an annual report of the best large cities for fi t and active lifestyles. The area gets high marks for setting aside a high percentage of city land as parkland. 2019
Raleigh is also the High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) capital of the United States, with more fi tness studios offering HIIT training than other areas. Men’s Health
IN THE WORKPLACE
“With world-class medical care, competitive universities, and a range of unique cities and living experiences, there are so many advantages to being in the Triangle. There is a place for everyone to live, develop their careers, and enjoy their families in their own unique way.” says
Sarah Krepp, SVP, Human Resources and Administration for Istari ers employee wellness a key component of their employee benefits ogy, Inc. is a privately held clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on novel immuno-oncology and immunotherapy treatment platforms. Wellness programs engender happier employees and happy employees work harder and are more engaged. Success with corporate wellness programs yield improved engagement, morale, presenteeism, retention and in many cases, improved health outcomes. They support the physical, mental and social needs of the employees. In a work environment which demands increasingly more from employees to keep pace with accelerating technology, expectations, stress and inability to turn-off and walk away – as what we have seen with Covid-19 – there has been evidence of a negative impact on productivity and wellbeing. “Historically, corporations tended to focus on wellness solely in terms of physical health. Today’s workforce expects more, and as a result, we’ve seen employers expand the definition of wellness to include physical health, mental health, work-life balance, diversity and inclusion, and financial wellbeing.” reports Krepp. “Employers also consider cost of living, access to reliable technology allowing for remote work, and increased flexibility when determining their base of operations.” With new area jobs and corporate investment announced throughout the community, the Triangle area continues to rank among the top locations to conduct business, and wellness is most definitely a consideration as prospective and existing businesses look to expand and grow their operations. Tech and biopharma giants are shaking up the job, housing and commercial real estate markets as the area continues to be a sought after home to businesses and individuals alike. Apple will open the base of their largest campus on the East Coast in the Research Triangle Park and bring with it more than $1 billion investment in the area. Google is planning the Cloud’s new will also be opening offices in the area. The Parkline building along only add to the list of global companies tapping the Triangle for their employees, base of growth and investment. can affect employee productivity and performance, and they view health as an investment in human capital. There is a broader value proposition for investment in workplace health. As companies
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make a business case to pursue a broader proposition for wellness and incorporate it into greater organizational initiatives, cities that are highly ranked for wellness and lifestyle like the Raleigh-Durham area will benefit. As Krepp notes, “The workforce demographic has shifted of the workforce - a number that is expected to grow employment experience that focuses on their overall wellness. Employers who focus on wellness will stand apart from their competitors and will be able attract and retain high-caliber talent. Wellness has become a competitive advantage and strategic differentiator.”
THE GREENWAYS AND PARKS
There must be buy-in from the top down when creating a THE TRIANGLE REGION GAINS culture of wellness, encouraging it throughout avenues and programs. Just like that in the workplace, support by local THE FOLLOWING FROM THE leadership is key to success when it comes to wellness in the EAST COAST GREENWAY: community. Triangle area municipalities have been instrumental in promoting wellness, and one simple way to do so is through encouraging physical activity. 11,225,000 Funding for area greenway planning and construction consistently Estimated miles biked per year ranks among the top priorities for expenditures and has resulted in one of the largest greenway networks in the country. Planning organizations and local governments have dedicated an increasing amount of capital 7,407,000 tributed to its funding to support pedestrian and bicycle projects. In 2000, Estimated miles walked per year there were less than 10 miles of on-road bike lanes in the Triangle and now we find more than 100 miles across the area. Raleigh, Cary and Durham have 3,592,000 the most greenways, but virtually every community in the Triangle boasts some sort of greenway access with ambitious plans for future growth. Hours of physical activity per Triangle greenways are typically paved corridors of protected greenspace, year running along rivers, creeks and lakes. They were developed as part of the flood management plans but were equally important to preserving greenspace adjacent $87M to waterways and tributaries, protect aquatic habitats, and protect development of ecologically sensitive lands. The greenways also connect a number of linear In economic benefits per year parks in each area city with recreational activities for residents and visitors, including playing fields, picnic areas, boating facilities, fishing, bird watching, nature trails, outdoor sculptures and community centers. $1.5M In health and environmental and bicycle commutes in the region as a result of public support of on-road cycling benefits per year hiking are all easy day excursions with Umstead State Park and American Tobacco Trail 800 Temporary and permanent jobs town Raleigh. With widespread support from residents to corporations, the Triangle will continue to have one of the best and most extensive, integrated greenway systems in the country.
$90M+ HEALTH & HEALTHCARE
In total benefits per year
which offer residents an impressive range of healthcare services. And the Duke University Health System
The healthcare system locally is brimming with people who have incredibly deep and nuanced insights that could improve daily workflows and deliver better patient care, and as a result, the Triangle area is one of the most promising areas for health innovation and wellness today. hundreds of clinic locations from Hendersonville to Jacksonville. of providing excellent health care beyond the walls of the hospital, understanding that health is not just about treating illness, help their patients, families and community achieve and maintain their best health. From the facilities to community events, clinics, classes and health screenings, there are numerous opportunities available to area residents.
Kay Taylor, Director of Philanthropy for the REX Healthcare Foundation, helped curate the art collection that was introduced Health. They paid close attention to wellness and healing when they began their initial planning. “We knew we would weave in wellness deliberately and incorporate it in every aspect - from physical therapy, fitness facilities to the feel of the building, with abundant sunlight, glass and garden space and the art collection.” Taylor recalls, “As we conceptualized it, even the architectural structures were thoughtfully designed to promote wellness and mirror the patient care programs. You would be amazed by what you might think just looks nice in the building but has proven benefits to our patients and their families; surroundings are known to shorten hospital time for care and recovery,” Taylor reports. Health Art Initiative which will include an art collection at the be located in Holly Springs, opening this fall. Evidence-based research has confirmed that the visual and performing arts play a valuable role in the healing process. From healthcare professionals, patients and visitors, people report feeling better – emotionally and physically- when they take a few minutes out of their day to
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look at the artwork. Art often offers people inspiration, tranquility, and hope. The hospital gardens also support the healing process and engage patients as they enter and exit the care facilities. “From the beginning of the building campaign, there was always a plan for an art collection. The beautiful construction allowed us the opportunity to go a bit beyond what was expected and and the community and area artists got engaged and stepped created a template for us going forward. We didn’t realize the impact it would have on the patients and their families.” Taylor sees, “Art being an integral part of the hospitals going forward.” interlaced throughout the community from the strong healthcare presences to the outdoors, the arts to the culture. Whether you are attending the HIIT studio down the street or walking the viduals considering in what community they want to reside will likely be impressed by all that the Triangle has to offer. As Krepp concludes, “I’m fascinated to see where people decide to live when they move here and what appeals to them. Will they pick an urban environment or opt for the countryside? Do they want to be in a small town or a large suburb? Each person has the ability to select from our diverse community what feels to them like home, but wherever they choose, the benefits of living in the Triangle to our physical and mental wellbeing cannot be denied.”
