Corporate Wellness Programs: Stress Management

Stress continues to drive staff members’ work-related health concerns, which is probably why the majority of respondents (78 percent) in a recent survey claim they would participate in a Corporate Health Promotion Plan to help their overall health and wellness.

In a recent research study commissioned by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN), 500 full-time staff members nationwide were interviewed by phone.

“Today’s staff members are clearly dealing with a lot of pressures such as the effects of 9/11, an unstable economy, national security threats and work/balance issues. There is a real opportunity for companies to serve as an ally to their staff members by providing them with resources to better manage their physical and emotional health – anything from stress management seminars to nutrition and physical fitness counseling,” says Deborah V. DiBenedetto, president of AAOHN.

Nearly 80 percent of respondents believe their health would improve if they were offered the right information and tools through a viable Corporate Wellness Program.

Topping the list of most interesting Corporate Wellness Programs cited by staff members is stress management (85 percent), closely followed by screening initiatives (84 percent), exercise/physical fitness initiatives (84 percent), health insurance education (81 percent) and disease management seminars (80 percent).

More than half of staff members (61 percent) would rather receive health and wellness information from a healthcare consultant or worksite nurse, compared to pamphlets or brochures (18 percent) or human resources staff (15 percent).