A Case for Investing in Mindfulless

One strategy that should be on the top of any employer's list is developing and maintaining a healthy workplace culture.

Research shows that 50-

70% of all medical conditions are attributable to

LIFESTYLE CHOICES.

While employers cannot force employees to make healthy lifestyle choices, they certainly can provide resources and an environment that promotes and rewards healthy lifestyle behaviors.

The Humanistic and Business Cases for Investing in a Healthy Workforce:

There is a growing body of research that provides convincing evidence regarding the correlation between lifestyle improvements and improved health risk status and that these improvements in health risk status can then result in improvements in economic indicators.

In 2005, Larry Chapman published "Proof Positive: Analysis of the Cost Effectiveness of Wellness." This is one of the most comprehensive summaries to date as it reviewed the results of 56 peer reviewed studies with a total of 483,232 employees who participated in evidence-based health promotion programs. The analysis showed the following results after an average of 3.6 years:

                                                           26% average reduction in health care                                                                  

                                                            27% average reduction in absenteeism

                                                            5.8:1 average return on investment

Health promotion programs that have shown the greatest ROI included many of these major components:

Benefits of Mindfullness

Health Risk Assessments

Ongoing, consistent communications with accurate wellness updates

Self-help materials readily available

Incentives to reward employees for healthy behaviors

Personalized feedback/coaching along with population-based programming

Involvement of employee's family

Evaluation and modification of worksite culture

Increased self-awareness, self-trust, and self-acceptance

Enhanced appreciation of life

Serenity in the face of difficulties

More accepting attitude toward life and its challenges

More fluid adaptation to change and development of more effective coping strategies

Lasting decreases in a variety of stress-related physical symptoms, including chronic pain

Significant decreases in anxiety and depression

Improved concentration and creativity

Improved immune system functioning

Decreased symptoms secondary to cancer

Inner nourishment: Deepened awareness and attention feed the heart, mind and soul.

Calmness and control

Decreasing reactivity

Maximally leveraging time

Self-care

                                                Increased vitality and focus