It is true that we are far into the year 2022. However, when it comes to wellness, it is never too late to learn new and exciting trends that will improve the overall well-being of your employees and help you drive increased productivity. In addition, considering these trends will give you insight into what employees need, where to channel your efforts on employee wellness, and how best to implement your benefits plan and retain talent in your organization.

Here are 8 top wellness trends in 2022 that have the potential to grow and may even spill into the coming years.

1. Healthy Dieting

A recent study by Mintel revealed that 78% of consumers feel that eating healthy is crucial for their mental well-being. The COVID-19 epidemic has brought attention to how important dieting is as the cornerstone of healthy living. This encompasses one's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being as well. Whether as an individual or a business, investing in healthy dieting is a worthwhile pursuit.

For businesses, it enhances the health of the workforce so that they can live better lives and work as a more effective team. Healthy dieting also provides an excellent foundation for your company's wellness initiatives when it comes to the health of your employees because they have the most potential to benefit both you and your workforce. Diet and nutrition programs place a sole emphasis on the employees' health, which improves their quality of life and gives them a sense of well-being. Additionally, it helps to develop the relationship between the company and the staff.

2. Sleep Hygiene

Sleep hygiene was developed in the late 1970s as a behavioral and environmental practice to aid those with mild to moderate insomnia. In recent years, following the decline in general health and increase in stress levels due to work pressures, sleep has become a luxury that many cannot afford. It is either they don't get enough sleep because of their numerous engagements that last well into the night, or they don't have quality sleep due to incessant disturbances from their electronic gadgets or high noise level around their neighborhood.

Little wonder many are turning to the age-long therapy of sleep hygiene to relieve stress and improve their mental well-being. A bedroom setting and daily activities that encourage regular, undisturbed sleep are both essential components of good sleep hygiene. Ideal sleep hygiene can be achieved by following a relaxing pre-bed ritual, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, making your bedroom comfortable and distraction-free, and forming healthy daytime habits.

3. Adopting an Eco-friendly Lifestyle

It is not surprising that adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle is among the top wellness trends in 2022. Clinical experts say that adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle can reduce anxiety and depression, not to mention the host of benefits it offers for mental wellness.

Climate change also has an impact on people's mental health. People are concerned about the indirect impact of climate change on their local communities, households, economy, and employment.

Many people are adopting a green lifestyle because of the sense of accomplishment they get from educating people about the environment and implementing sustainable habits. They enjoy being part of a group of socially supportive people who are environmentally conscientious. As a result, their attitude toward life improves and they are less likely to be depressed.

4. Prioritizing Mental Health

The use of words like "self-care" and "mental health" in everyday speech is becoming more frequent and popular. It is encouraging how mental health is beginning to take priority in our society. Mental health and wellness are not just about being happy constantly. The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a condition of well-being in which the individual understands his or her own abilities, can cope with everyday stressors, can work creatively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."

More people are adopting a holistic approach to life and the challenges that come with it. You'd find that people are ready to give up what appears to be a good opportunity for the sake of their mental health. Employees who feel that their work is taking a toll on their mental well-being do not hesitate to leave the job, even if they're given an incentive to remain.

5. Remote Work and Flexible Schedules

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, companies changed the way they did business out of necessity. Today, employees place a far higher value on flexible work arrangements and this trend will likely continue in the years to come. In a recent poll, approximately 40% of candidates worldwide said that workplace flexibility was one of the top three factors they considered before accepting jobs.

Flexible scheduling not only increases employee productivity but also aids employers to lure in and retain top talent. According to a survey, 43% of participants reported that having flexible work schedules helped them be more productive. Working from home eliminates the daily commute to and from work and gives employees more time to engage in healthy routines such as exercising and getting more sleep.

6. Revitalizing Exercise

Exercise boosts mental health by lowering anxiety, depression, and depressive symptoms, as well as by raising self-esteem and increasing cognitive abilities. Additionally, it has been discovered that exercise helps with symptoms including social withdrawal and low self-esteem.

The most common exercise worldwide and one of the healthiest activities for our body is walking. It is one activity that has remained accessible to many irrespective of their schedule. It affords one the opportunity to reflect and let go of anxious thoughts they may have been battling with and has proven to be revitalizing, even therapeutic.

7. Tracking Vitals

The journey to wellness usually begins with understanding common vital signs. Vital signs can be used to assess health, identify underlying issues, and inspire lifestyle changes. Normal vital signs are a collection of metrics that indicate how well your body is operating. Heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, and body temperature are the four standard vital signs.

In our digital age, you may not need to go to a doctor to check your vitals. Wearables like wristbands, armbands, and chest straps can be used to monitor your vitals. These devices use optical sensors to detect blood moving through your veins. With the data you collect, you can monitor your health, observe trends, and proactively spot any arising issues. Having health markers that you can measure and track makes it easier to progress.

8. Mindful Drinking

Mindful drinking is being conscious of the amount of alcohol you consume. It could involve keeping track of how many cocktails you take in a single evening or paying close attention to why, where, and when you're drawn to drink.

Spirits with no or little alcohol are expanding quickly, and the main factors driving this expansion are health and well-being. The pandemic further fueled this trend, with rising awareness of personal responsibility to care for one's health and wellness.

Conclusion

Knowing the top wellness trends of the year is a noble agenda, which is beneficial for both employees and employers. The important part, however, is working with the insights you have gathered to improve your employees' work environment. At Quantum Benefits, we do not just share the information; we prioritize employee health. We offer employers superior, cost-effective benefits solutions for their employees, and can help you incorporate these growing trends into your health benefits plan.

Give us a call today at 203-946-0320 or fill out our contact form to speak with a representative.

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