The Breakers Palm Beach is known throughout Palm Beach County as a luxurious, unprecedented destination to vacation, relax and enjoy all that Palm Beach has to offer. However, many might not realize that in addition to being a leader in luxury hospitality, The Breakers is also a leader in employee wellness.
Not only is it wonderful to stay at The Breakers – it’s a great place to work! Denise Bober, VP of Human Resources at The Breakers and Vice Chair of Palm Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees is passionate about bringing a mindset of wellness to all of the resort’s employees.
The Breakers’ employee wellness program is impressive, offering a range of health opportunities and experiences from fitness challenges and access to an on-site health coach, to a seasonal green market where employees can buy fresh produce and grass fed meats.
Denise Bober, VP of Human Resources at The Breakers Palm Beach and Vice Chair of Palm Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees, was recently awarded as a “Leader in Workplace Wellness” at the annual Global Wellness Awards.
We know from exploring the five domains of brain health that physical fitness and nutrition are imperative to maintaining a healthy brain, but The Breakers doesn’t stop there. Their wellness program touches on all five domains of brain health through activities and offerings promoted in their monthly “Life Well Lived” newsletter.
Creating a culture of both mental and overall wellness in the workplace has tremendous benefits for a company or organization. Due to their efforts, The Breakers has an 82% employee retention rate. Here are a few simple things that any organization can incorporate into their workplace culture to help employees become healthier, happier and high performing:
Encourage Healthy Snacking
Many organizations provide snacks and drinks for employees. It’s also common for a workplace to hold special celebrations involving food throughout the year. Make an effort to provide a variety of healthy options for employees to snack on – fruits, vegetables and non-sugary drinks are great choices. Don’t forget that proper nutrition is essential to a healthy brain!
Walk Together
Getting active is much easier when you aren’t alone! Encourage employees to take a short break during the day to take a walk around the building or in the parking lot. Sitting for too long can lead to chronic health issues, both physical and mental. Studies have shown that people who tend to sit more are more susceptible to anxiety and depression.
Hang out by the Water Cooler
Social interaction is essential to good brain health. While it’s important to stay productive at work, it’s also important to give your brain a break a few moments out of the day and allow yourself to socialize. Bonding with co-workers over conversation is a great way to foster positive feelings at work, leading to a better performing team. Conversation also improves memory and helps the brain work fast!
Promote Work/Life Balance
Work is important, but it shouldn’t be anyone’s life. A healthy brain needs a break from deep and focused thinking to rest and recharge. Without proper rest, the brain cannot perform at its highest functioning. Encourage employees to lead a balanced life by taking the time to rest outside of work, spend time with family and take care of their bodies and brains (meditation and exercise work wonders). Employees who practice a good work/life balance are better able to perform at their jobs.
Do you think these tips are doable at your workplace? Does your workplace already promote wellness activities? Comment below!
