Stress and Health Programs at Work : Are Wellness Programs at Work Helpful in Managing Workplace Stress?

One of the main caused of fatigue and health problems is stress. Work place stress is them being pointed out as one of the most common factors that drag employees down. As of this date, several wellness programs are being introduced on most companies, which are said to be effective.

In a poll survey conducted by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health it was revealed that work place stress is a huge factor that affects their health. Though stress may be lurking in the workplace, but most companies already made a movement in giving it addressed.

In the survey participated by several employees, it was revealed that 51 percent of the poll’s participants mentioned their workplace has a wellness program which they can take part of. The wellness program provided by the office involves diet and nutrition, quit smoking programs, gym discounts and even mental health assistance.Though the work place wellness program may seem like a success, it was then revealed that employees seldom sign up and take part of the offer.

Most offices exert not only effort, but budget in having these wellness programs implemented as losing employees overtime due to stressful environment can cause them bigger revenue.

"There's a recognition that the cost of burnout — either in the form of lower productivity or, in extreme cases, the loss of employees — is more costly" than taking steps to reduce stress, Diane Domeyer, executive director of a staffing firm said.

Stress is often linked to heart problems and health deteriorations, thus it is important to unwind and de –stress when things get really tough. Harvard Health Publications cited a different type of heart attack which they refer to as akotsubo cardiomyopathy, or stress cardiomyopathy which is said to be a heart attack factored by high levels of stress in a person’s life.