3 Ways A Company Can Promote Healthy Living

For a number of reasons, both practical and political, the issue of public health has moved to the forefront of our national consciousness. With so much attention coming to how we can all live healthier lives, it only makes sense that these key messages must become a part of our corporate culture. Fortunately, encouraging healthy living as a business doesn’t necessarily require any revolutionary changes. Here are a few creative ways to become a company that promotes healthy living both for your employees and the customers you serve.

Wellness Programs

Healthy employees are happy employees. From head colds to lack of sleep, health issues can affect a worker’s performance. But when companies encourage healthy behaviors among employees it is beneficial to everyone. That doesn’t mean bosses, need to run out and change health care providers, but it’s always a good place to start the search. Most large health care providers have publicly recognized the importance of over-all wellness and have incorporated those provisions into their packages. Wellness is a broad term though that can encompass anything from massage for stress relief to weight loss. Too many workers are not well-versed in the options their health care provider offers. It’s always a good idea to bring those options to light for your employees. That can be done with a quick memo or email outlining their choices. A short list of wellness options, like acupuncture and lifestyle coaches with a brief description of these programs could be enough to motivate some employees to use them.

There are ways to promote healthy living in-house, and in some cases it’s just a matter of creativity. Whether it’s a small effort encouraging employees to use the stairs rather than the elevator, starting a company softball league or organizing lunch-time walking groups the little things can make a big difference. Of course there are some grander gestures that can lead to better living too. Some companies are now offering incentives for major lifestyle changes like smoking cessation and weight loss. Encouraging changes that can drastically change an employee’s standard of living may be enough to help some change their lives.

Health Healthy Partnerships

On the marketing end, tying your brand to healthy living can add a broader appeal and positive public image to your name. For some industries it may mean adding healthy options to their products selection. But for most companies outside of the food industry, this can be a bit of a challenge. Fortunately the answer may be in partnerships.

There are two major kinds of partnerships a company can pursue to promote healthy living. First joining forces with another company that does offer some health related product is one way to tie your name to the cause. From exercise, equipment, to low-fat or low sodium foods, a collaboration can help you ride healthy coat-tails onto the healthy living band wagon. Another way of developing a “healthier” public image is to work with a health related charity. October is breast Cancer Awareness month for example, and products of all kinds are going pink. This is just one way companies are showing they care by helping to raise money for a healthy cause. There’s also the option of supporting health and getting employees active. Many charities hold “walks” whether it’s a walk for diabetes or a walk for AIDS. These events gather people to walk a certain distance to raise money and awareness for a cause. Participating one of these “walks” can help get your company recognition while also giving your employees a chance to engage n a physical activity.

Promotions with a Healthy Message

Another way to bring healthy living into your marketing message is through promotions that endorse healthy choices. One really effective method of passing this message on to customers is through the use of health themed promotional items. Promotional products are free giveaways which are intended to integrate your brand into a customer’s daily life and spread your company name. But when you use health themed products to this end you can also become a catalyst for better living.

There are actually numerous kinds of health related logo items. Whether you want to offer water bottles and pedometers to encourage physical activity, or stress balls to help promote lower blood pressure and heart health. Even visors carry a subtle message promoting healthy skin care. The benefit is that you spread a core corporate message that is important to your company and you become more memorable to the individual customer. When someone uses one of your products it reminds them that your brand is helping to make their lives better in some small way. A small way perhaps that could translate into much deeper brand loyalty.

It doesn’t take a corporate over-haul to promote healthy lifestyles among employees and customers, in some cases all it take is a simple change of perspective and a little creative thinking.