The Cardiovascular Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity Section, Michigan Department of Community Health has the following resources that might be helpful to you:
Designing Healthy Environments at Work (DHEW)
www.mihealthtools.org/work The feedback that you receive after you complete the assessment will assist in identifying the areas within your worksite environment that you may want to make healthier. In the "Resources" section of DHEW, there is an employee interest survey. Use this survey to gather information on the wellness activities that are important to your employees. These two tools compliment each other, and can assist in prioritizing your wellness activities.
Michigan Steps Up www.michiganstepsup.org This healthy lifestyles campaign has a "Healthy Businesses" section. Available on the website is the FREE Health Risk Appraisal (HRA), low-cost/not cost ideas to create healthier worksite environments, and Worksite Wellness Chronicles--one page fact sheets on Michigan businesses that have implemented worksite wellness initiatives.
Michigan's Healthy Workplaces Resource Guide www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/WorksiteWellness This guide provides worksites--large and small--with resources to start or enhance a worksite wellness program. From forming a wellness committee to evaluating activities, this guide can provide worksites with the direction that they need to create healthier worksites that support employees' healthy lifestyles.
Christi Demitz, MSW
CVH, Nutrition & Physical Activity Section
Michigan Department of Community Health
Got stress on the job? The Proven Way to Relax
The Employee Service Program offers an online stress management program that gives you an opportunity to assess your own stress level, and develop a plan for managing it. This program is completely anonymous.
Make Mental Health Screenings Part of Your Healthy Lifestyle
Health screenings provide a quick and easy way to spot the first signs of a potential health problem. The Employee Service Program offers online screenings for depression, anxiety, alcohol, and eating disorders.
If you have questions or concerns in any of these areas, to complete a free, anonymous personal screening click
At Your Workplace Climb Stairs - a great way to add steps!
A Harvard Alumni Study was reported to have found "that men who average at least eight flights a day enjoy a 33 percent lower mortality rate than men who are sedentary". www.clevelandseniors.com
When practical, include stair-climbing options in employee events.
You can walk the routes associated with your work place (for example surrounding blocks, to and from popular nearby destinations, or through underground parking ramps). Count the steps, develop a chart and post it at your worksite to help inspire others to walk.
SUGGESTION: Pair up two tall individuals and two shorter individuals. Each person counts the steps and records them at 1,000-step (approx. 0.5 mile) intervals, noting any landmarks. At least one member of each pair wears a pedometer for step count comparisons at the end of the event. Simple step counters give an estimate of steps taken.
Healthy Living Bulletin Watch for monthly updated issues of this American Cancer Society newsletter with healthy ideas for a healthy workplace, and links to interactive simple solutions.
Please note: Websites linked to in the above content are used for informational purposes only. The Employee Health & Wellness Program does not endorse any product advertised or sold via websites linked to from our pages.