Where we live, work, play, learn, and age has a significant impact on our health. Most Americans spend more than one third of their day, five days per week at their workplace, making this environment inherently tied to our daily routines and overall health. Our workplace can influence our physical well-being, social relationships, and mental health, either positively or negatively depending on the environment. Although employers have the responsibility of providing a safe and hazard-free workplace, they also have the opportunity to promote and prioritize individual employee health. As pointed out by Justin Aufdemauer, the Tillamook Chamber of Commerce President, “Creating a culture of health in our workplaces is important. When the work environment is motivating and fun, there is a greater sense of community. Employees who feel supported are more productive, happier, and healthier.”

Often when we think of “health and wellness,” we think of the goals and intentions we set for ourselves, such as physical exercise after work or packing healthy lunches. Yet, because our workplaces have such a strong impact on our overall well-being, we also included workplace-related activities within our “This Way to Well-Being” map. This activity provides a range of fun, local activities that you can try here in Tillamook County. To learn more about the map and how you can win a prize, visit our website here.

There are several “stops” along the map that serve as starting points for prioritizing workplace wellness:

Take a Stretch or Walk Break:

Sitting or standing for long periods of time can lead to physical imbalances, chronic pain, and illness, but short movement breaks throughout the day can help. To incorporate more movement into your day, try parking a bit farther away from the office, taking the stairs, or scheduling “walking meetings” with your coworkers. You might also find it helpful to set a reminder to stand, stretch and move at your workstation throughout the day. For guidance on a stretching routine you can use at work, visit the Tillamook County Wellness YouTube page for short videos from local YMCA fitness instructors.

Practice Financial Wellness:

Our work and our finances are directly intertwined, and most people report feeling stressed about money at some point in their lives. Thinking about where to start can feel overwhelming, especially when there may be aspects of our finances that we have more or less control over. The first step towards “financial wellness” is taking the time to track monthly spending habits and using that to consciously plan for how much you would like to realistically spend each month. There are many free resources available for creating a budget, including free apps for your phone like Mint (which can also be used in a web browser), or you can find pre-made budgeting templates in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. Check out this recent TCW blog about financial wellness and keep an eye out for more resources coming this summer.

Start a Workplace Wellness Group:

As defined by the World Health Organization, “A healthy workplace is one in which workers and managers collaborate to use a continual improvement process to protect and promote the health, safety, and well-being of all workers.”

Whether you are an employee or an employer, it is worthwhile to take a moment to consider how your work environment can support the wellbeing of you and your coworkers. Are there workplace policies or programs that could support employee physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing? Who in your organization would be interested in working towards creating a healthier environment? As a starting point in developing a workplace wellness group, visit the workplace wellness tab on our website.

For more information and resources about the above activities, visit our This Way to Well-Being page and explore our website. By participating in our well-being campaign, you may be eligible to win a prize! See our website or Facebook page for details.

Other wellness questions? Email us at info@tillamookcountywellness.org. For more local health and wellness information, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.