As COVID-19 continues, the world’s employees take on more and more stress in their day-to-day work life. The pressures of working from home unexpectedly, adjusting to the demands of COVID-19, and coping with roommates, family members, and children make returning to a “normal” work schedule feel like an impossibility.

As an employer, the best way to support your team is to offer resources and outlets for corporate wellness. These include methods for coping with stress, encouragement to stay active and healthy, and the promotion of mental well-being.

The best way to tie it all together? A curated corporate wellness program.

Let’s face it: COVID-19 has changed EVERYTHING about how we work, and that includes the many ways our employees need our support. Demand for remote mental health care has skyrocketed, and many exercise programs have moved online.

Whether your HR team is focused on providing resources to remote workers or building a cultivated program from the ground up, we can help. It’s critical to look to the future of your team.

How has COVID-19 changed what your employees need and expect from a corporate wellness program?

1. Higher demand for virtual wellness resources will continue. As businesses wait to return to “normal” — a process that will most likely happen in stages, and not for a long time — employees will continue to rely on remote resources and virtual programs. These valuable resources are likely to become the “new normal” post-pandemic, and companies should be investing in them today!

2. Corporate wellness programs offset costs raised by COVID-19. As is the nature of a pandemic, healthcare costs are skyrocketing in the US. While investing in a corporate wellness program is an up-front cost, the lifetime of the program will help offset some of the raised costs associated with COVID-19. Investing in employees’ wellness lowers healthcare costs for mental health treatment, doctor visits, and more.

3. Mental health care is more important than ever before. Let’s face it: No one is naturally good at handling stress. And with so much up in the air due to COVID-19, American employees are relying on mental health care services more than ever before. The spotlight on preserving mental health is a critical component of fighting COVID-19, and many apps and other online services have seen huge increases in subscriptions. Offering free or discounted mental health resources for your employees is a great way to show you care, while supporting your team’s financial well-being.

4. People with chronic conditions will need more support than usual. Social distancing impacts more than just mental health. Chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and chronic pain can all be exacerbated by social distancing and the impact of working from home unexpectedly. (We’re looking at you, kitchen table chairs!) The associated costs of coping with chronic conditions will continue to rise as COVID-19 goes on.

5. Poor work-from-home conditions create a greater need for physical well-being resources. When the pandemic first started, many teams scrambled to create functional work-from-home environments with little prep time. That means cheap office chairs, work setups on dining room tables, and long work sessions from the comfy (but back-breaking) couch. Because of this, remote teams need more support for physical health and safety. Yoga classes, HIIT, and kettlebell training can all help keep your employees limber and physically active, while other courses like guided meditation, stress management, and nutrition coaching can improve sleep quality and stress levels.

Give us a call, and we’ll get you started on a corporate wellness program right away.

At F3 Wellness Connections, we help teams and employees cope with stress while also devoting time to physical wellness. During these challenging times, it’s critical to boost employee morale and productivity. A corporate wellness program will also lower healthcare, disability, and worker’s compensation costs, making the investment a win-win for your business and your team.

To get started, fill out our contact form, give us a call at (202) 656-7330, or email Sarah at sarah@f3wellnessconnections.com for your personalized quote. We specialize in corporate wellness for small to mid-sized businesses, and we can help your team get back to its best!