How Coworkers Can Help You Stay Healthy

During a recent conversation, the topic of work lunches came up. Mainly, the fact that there is always salad and fruit left over, but how the cookies and chips seem to fly off the table. Now, there is a lot of hub-bub out there about how co-workers are making each other fat, and how group dynamics and peer pressure can can lead to unhealthy behaviors and habits (see cartoon to the left.) But instead of complaining about how co-workers can de-rail healthy eating habits or exercise routines, lets focus on how co-workers can help you on your wellness journey.

1. The Happy Halo Effect. A longitudinal study of the residents of Framingham, MA found that happiness (like the flu) is contagious! For example, they found at time 1 that the Jones's have happiness scores that are off the charts, then at time 2 their neighbors on both sides saw an uptick in their scores, and on and on. This phenomena can be replicated at the office for both positive and negative emotions, and employees radiating energy can really change their office neighbor's environments. So use those wellness champions and help them let their smiles shine :)
2. Group Weight Loss Programs Are Successful. It really does take a village to lose that weight and keep it off! If your organization has weight watchers in the workplace or support groups in place, or is just creating a culture of health, that makes it much easier to stick to healthy lifestyle changes, since you'll have allies to help you make healthy choices. Plus the lurkers in the picture above have a greater chance of keeping quiet if they're subject to the same educational campaigns for nutrition.
3. If Healthy Options Outweigh Not-So Healthy Ones, You'll Make Better Decisions. If your company orders, for example, make your own salad or sandwich options with WW Points + values with portion sizes listed next to each item instead of the usual sandwich and salad platter, you can decide what you're putting in your body instead of choosing from a few (usually not so great) options. And as for birthday party or other celebration cakes? Start a new trend-cupcakes or cake pops. Both are portioned controlled and make it easy to get a little taste of something sweet without derailing your whole day.

If your organization does not have wellness programs in place, there are still simple things that you can do to help create healthy allies in the workplace. Start a walking program-just 10 minutes at your circadian rhythm low (around 2:00pm) around the office or around the block will help you feel refreshed-from both the exercise and the social time. Or see if your organization has a wellness Employee Resource Group to join. Any support you have at the office will help you stick to your wellness plan and be successful!

Be.Well.Now