A recent article summarizing expert advice regarding so called, “health” trends that should stop, caught our interest. This is sound information for workplace wellness programs to be aware of and utilize!
What is the most shocking but should not have been surprising, is that 3 in 5 consumers seek social media advice for fitness, health, and nutrition – Not experts, and not scientifically backed health resources!
It won’t be easy to stop the wave of inaccurate and often false claims, but is important to ensure your employees receive science backed advice that is realistic, healthy, and promotes total well-being.
Trends to Leave Behind: (Newsweek Life, Lucy Notarantonio)
- The Hustle Culture: Not taking days off for rest and recovery. Instead, advise employees to listen to their bodies. Rest days are essential to reduce stress and for muscle tissue to heal and strengthen.
- Detox Teas and Cleanses: Instead, advise employees to drink plenty of water and eat fiber rich foods. Cleanses are harmful and are not necessary. This should be loud and clear! Our kidneys and liver detox our bodies. Cleanses lead to dehydration and lack of energy that interferes with this natural process.
- Restricting Calories: Instead, advise employees to eat whole (REAL) foods, and more vegetables and fruits. Restricting calories is harmful and does not work – it actually backfires. Not only do individuals not get the foods that nourish and sustain them, but low calorie diets slow our metabolism leading to weight gain.
- Spot Reduction: Instead, advise employees to embrace cardio workouts, strength training, stretching, and being active throughout the day. Science does not support spot reduction to lose fat that hides muscle.
- Eliminating Food Groups: Instead, focus initiatives on developing a positive relationship with foods that nourishes us. There are no ‘bad’ foods and no ‘cheating.’ Balancing lean protein, whole grain carbohydrates, and healthy fats as well as increasing fiber and plant based nutrients are the key messages.
- If It’s Too Good To Be True, It Is! Ensure employees hear this! Instead, advocate a balance of nourishing foods, and regular activity. Remind them that there is no magic bullet. There has been no limit of advertisings promising amazing results, that usually lead to disappointment and feelings of failure.
And 2 More Trends to End in 2025:
- Another trend we hope ends, Diet Programs. Experts strongly agree that dieting does not result in sustainable weight loss and often is harmful. Instead, offer initiatives that support individuals in adopting a positive relationship with food and activities that nourishes them both mentally and physically. Doing so leads to feeling better, enhanced health and well-being, and is sustainable.
- Ignoring Organizational Culture: Instead, foster a culture that supports well-being, one that is,
- physically,
- psychologically,
- socially, and
- emotionally safe and sound.
Otherwise, safety and wellness program activities will not be successful. The health and well-being of the employees are inextricably connected to the health and well-being of the organization’s leadership and the culture they create.
Workplace Wellness Programs can and must counteract the harmful trends, and arm employees as well as the organization with information that cultivates well-being and a safe and sound workplace!