Steps Employees Can Take Toward Better Health

• Try healthy snacks with less than 100 calories and no more than 2 grams of fat – some suggestions include: a small piece of fruit, whole wheat crackers or low-fat yogurt.
  
  
• Stay active – take the stairs instead of the elevator, wear a pedometer to track the daily number of steps or stand up when talking on the phone. Even small activities can burn calories.
  
  
• Take a break – by doing so you’re better able to put things in perspective and avoid overeating while sitting at your desk. Turn the BlackBerry and phone off at night (if you can) and enjoy time with your family or doing something you love.
  
  
• Find resources in your community, such as a walking club or recreational league sports teams, and give sponsorship ideas to your manager or human resource representative.
  

Steps Employers Can Take to Create a Healthier Workplace

• Provide healthy vending machine selections – if there’s an on-site cafeteria, work with the vendor to offer healthier options. Subsidize any increased costs by charging more for unhealthy options and less for healthy options.
  
  
• Create stairwells that are inviting for employees to use (use colorful paint, hang inspiring pictures, pipe in music), set-up walking paths (with distance tracking markers), provide free or discounted gym memberships and encourage participation in group walks.
  
  
• Foster a culture that encourages a balance between work/life activities – provide free yoga classes or offer lifestyle stress management courses.
  
  
• Offer free, confidential health and wellness programs to your employees such as health risk assessments, dedicated lifestyle health coaching and online and self-management tools.