The philosophy of corporate wellness is that employee wellness and good health are the core of business and that encouraging a healthy, happy, productive workforce not only improves the lives of employees but also strengthens the value they bring to the operational and financial performance. A simple philosophy is : “Healthy Employees = Reduced Costs + Improved Productivity = Healthy Business”
Following an extensive research on Workplace Wellness, The Harvard Business Review has defined Workplace wellness as “an organized, employer-sponsored program that is designed to support employees (and sometimes, their families) as they adopt and sustain behaviors that reduce health risks, improve quality of life, enhance personal effectiveness, and benefit the organization’s bottom line”.
According to 2011 Report by World Economic Forum and Harvard Business Review, chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been established as a clear threat not only to human health, but also to development and economic growth. NCDs are currently claiming 63% of all deaths, 80% of which are in low and middle income countries. Half of those who die of chronic NCDs are in the prime of their productive years as employees. Tanzania is increasingly recognizing the rising cost of healthcare and its relationship to these lifestyle diseases attributed to globalization and urbanization.
A healthy workforce is vital to a country’s competitiveness, productivity and well being. Corporate Wellness Programs focusing on healthy lifestyle can positively affect employees and provide an excellent platform to sensitize and raise awareness for employees to develop healthier behavior and emulate health and well being to their families and communities. Progressive companies consider wellness programs as a sensible investment to improve health of the bottom line by improving employee productivity. Making better and informed health decisions makes people healthier – Prevention is better than cure and evidence shows that healthy employees cost less, are productive, and stay longer with a company.
- Describe the ImpactAfya multi-dimensional marathon package?
We have designed the “Marathon for A Healthy Lifestyle” in collaboration with our partners, Workplace Options of Raleigh, N Carolina, drawing from the Mayo Clinic model for behavior modification for healthy lifestyle, prevention and management of diseases
Marathon running is becoming popular across the globe as a representation of healthy lifestyle and Tanzania is catching on, as evidenced by increasing participation in the in-country half and full marathons that are being regularly organized, the key ones being the Kilimanjaro Marathon, Rotary Dar Marathon and Serengeti Marathon.
Tapping onto this trend, our multi-dimensional package helps promote healthy lifestyle (while having fun) at workplaces and in the process of training, help individuals to become healthier and fit, as well as develop critical life and business skills.
The core component of this annual program is a 2 hour introductory launch, which can be conducted on-site or on-line, customized training plans for all levels – beginners to advanced walkers and runners and a 6 session telephonic behavior change program.
Additional and optional components of the program are:
- Online health risk assessment
- Biometric assessment by a medical practitioner / exercise physiologist at the program launch and after 6 months
- On-site or Off-site clinics for cardiovascular exercises, strength and flexibility training and relaxation techniques and tools led by experienced instructors
- On site or on line critical skills labs on topics such as time management, team building, strategy formulation, progress monitoring, stress management, eating well, know your numbers. Preparing for and running a marathon requires these skills, which are pre-requisites for both personal and professional growth.
- How does one prepare for a marathon?
Training to run for a marathon requires a disciplined lifestyle: eat properly, refrain from smoking, reduced alcohol consumption and rest for adequate periods. Individuals tend to turn their training for running marathons into a full time lifestyle with stress management strategies and improved energy levels that makes their personal gains continue even after the race is over
- Is there any harm in skipping preparation?
The marathon is an arduous event and you can’t underestimate the physical effort and mental demands involved in running a marathon. Without preparation, your muscles are not accustomed and you would risk injury through muscle strains and excessive wear and tear on joints. Add cramps, chafing, dizziness and dehydration and the human body is pushed to the limits. With the body under considerable stresses and the race consuming an entire days worth of calories, completing a marathon is a physical and a mental ordeal, which requires adequate preparation before and after the run.
- Other than the general health benefits what good are marathons?
Training for and running Marathons is a great impetus for long term healthy lifestyle and for cultivating critical life and business skills.
Marathons are run as a way to contribute to the society as a whole and benefit various charities. Running for a cause – something bigger, meaningful and fulfilling is self-motivating and regular runners report an increase in their confidence and self-esteem, especially when a set goal is accomplished.
Running is also a great way to expand horizons and break away from the daily grind. The sport provides diversity and novelty, where runners explore areas of their own community or new locations and cultures and run places they may not normally see.
In a nutshell, the process provides a springboard for employees to be healthy, responsible, accountable, motivated and innovative corporate citizens.
- What skill developments can be got from running a marathon?
Preparing for and running a marathon presents the greatest challenges, both physically and mentally. It requires a great deal of self-discipline to complete the training and the actual run, while at the same time, cope with other daily distractions and manage all work and personal responsibilities one experiences. This process provides an excellent platform for developing and sharpening critical life and business skills such as time management, team building, goal setting, strategy development and implementation, progress monitoring and completion, focus and consistency – which are important for both work and home.
- What methods do you use to effect behavior modification?
Forcing people to change behavior does not work and is interpreted as coercion. People will only change their behavior if they see the new behavior as easy, rewarding and normal. We have designed a multi-pronged approach, where we offer:
- Onsite seminars or online webinars on a variety of topics important to prepare for a marathon. The content of our seminars/ webinars is tailored for the intended audience, including employees, managers and executives. These seminars provide an interactive exploration of relevant topics and discussion of strategies to yield positive outcomes and can be delivered during the lunch hour, at employee training conferences, during management meetings, or at any convenient time for the organization and participants.
- Onsite or off-site Clinics for cardiovascular exercises, strength, flexibility and relaxation training to demonstrate various tools and techniques for physical and mental preparation
- individual telephonic coaching to help drop unhealthy habits and pick up healthy habits. Our Mayo Certified Coaching Program provides individualized, goal-oriented guidance, strategy development and encouragement for developing healthy habits. This is an employee-centered, employee directed approach with an emphasis on building the employee’s self-efficacy to make long-term behavior change, where we focus on achieving total well being by addressing emotional, physical and practical components.
Ultimately, we help develop happy and productive corporate citizens with long term healthy lifestyle habits, life skills and professional skills.
- What is the Online Health Risk Assessment?
The Global Health Questionnaire (GHQ) is an online tool developed by our partners, Workplace Options to provide organizations with a snapshot of their employees well being. Questions regarding physical health and scoring methodologies are derived from Mayo Clinic’s health assessment.
The GHQ identifies potential health risks to employees as a confidential report and provides an aggregate report to employers. The report provides information on areas of improvement and functions as a simplified tool to engage employees in a consistent, holistic manner.
We have also tied up with an experienced Medical Practitioner, who shares our vision of getting Tanzanians active and specializes in Exercise Physiology for conducting health checks and tests to determine individual fitness level with associated training plan. These assessments coupled with the GHQ provide an excellent benchmark for individual and organization health and well-being and form the basis for goal setting, progress monitoring and evaluation.
9. Do you offer individual coaching?
Our program offers a telephonic connection with coaches who provide individualized, goal-oriented guidance, education, strategy development and encouragement. We will coach a well person to stay well and empower those who have health challenges to improve. Throughout the process, our Mayo Certified coaches support and guide participants while holding them accountable to their healthier lifestyle practices
In the first session, the coach helps the participant define his or her wellness vision by using a standard assessment to establish what the issues are using various techniques to assist the participant in setting relevant goals.
Subsequent coaching sessions focus on experiments to test out new, healthier habits and learning from experience. From session to session, the participant goals are measured for degree of success and amended if needed. Through dynamic collaboration, the coach and participant look at areas such as accountability and responsibility for agreed lifestyle changes.
The coach’s job is always to keep the employee on track with the original focus and vision. If it seems like the employee is stuck or backsliding, the coach strives to redirect him back on track. The coach will work with the employee to re-assess the focus, and identify why the process may have been derailed.