Each year, Employee Well-Being Month is celebrated during the month of June to spotlight the workplace’s role in helping create healthy employees. Ohio State is committed to being a healthy workplace for faculty and staff by offering programs and resources for health and wellness.
Wellness directly effects productivity and happiness, which benefits an entire workplace as a whole. It is important that time spent at work be fulfilling, supportive and enjoyable.
Associate Vice President for Health Promotion, University Chief Wellness Officer and College of Nursing Dean Dr. Bernadette Melnyk has a specific vision for Ohio State.
“I know Ohio State can be the healthiest university in the world,” Melnyk said. “Given the majority of chronic diseases are totally preventable, I encourage everyone to make just one lifestyle change for better health and wellness. We have placed great emphasis on creating a culture shift at the university to make healthy choices the easy choices for everyone to make.”
Ohio State’s Your Plan for Health (YP4H) program supports this vision by providing faculty, staff and their enrolled spouses/same-sex domestic partners with tools and resources for living a healthy life. YP4H focuses on three areas of health and wellness to encourage lifestyle and behavior changes: active living, healthy eating and emotional well-being.
Active Living
Physical activity helps prevent, slow or even reverse the progression of chronic disease and Ohio State offers opportunities to help faculty and staff get the recommended 150 weekly minutes of moderate physical activity. Faculty and staff have access to special health and wellness discounts on campus, at local fitness centers and other health-related business. There are also many free health and wellness events on all campuses, including yoga, Zumba, wellness walks and circuit training.
Healthy Eating
Ohio State offers healthy meal options and nutrition resources for assistance with achieving health-related goals. Additionally, for one-on-one support, Health Coaches are available to help set realistic goals and provide support and resources. Weight Watchers meetings are scheduled around campus for group support and benefits-enrolled faculty and staff have access to discounted memberships.
Emotional Well-Being
Ohio State is committed to providing a work environment that is considerate of employees’ work and personal life obligations. The Employee Assistance Program is a resource to help combat life’s pressures by proactively preventing and resolving issues, such as mental health, financial planning and legal issues. Care Coordination helps faculty and staff, and their family members, manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or asthma.
For more information about health and wellness at Ohio State, visit yp4h.osu.edu.