Official Government Website
Wellness contacts play a critical role in disseminating Health Matters information and promoting well-being within their individual agencies. Each state agency has one or more designated wellness contacts to whom Health Matters sends information, including the bi-monthly newsletter. Agency wellness contacts then share the information with their employees. Use the Wellness Contact Directory to find contacts within each agency.
Wellness “champions” are those who make a dedicated effort to improve the well-being culture within their workplace. Most of our agency wellness contacts are wellness champions, but anyone can join the movement to advocate for wellness within their workplace. Use the information and resources below to help get you started.
Employee Wellness Tip of the Month
November: Nurture an Attitude of Gratitude in the Workplace
Gratitude is one of the most powerful things you can do to lower stress and improve outlook. Gratitude makes it possible to have meaningful connections and it can significantly increase well-being and life satisfaction. It is also beneficial for physical health and has been linked to lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels, reduced depression, decreased blood pressure, and even better sleep.
Creating a culture of gratitude in the workplace is an effective way to improve employee morale, engagement, and overall well-being!
Try incorporating some of these simple gratitude strategies into your work week. Gratitude has a ripple effect, so it is likely that your co-workers will start expressing their attitudes of gratitude as well.
- Start or end each day by sending one or two emails, instant messages, or texts to coworkers, friends, and family that you feel grateful for.
- Talk about it! Print and cut out these gratitude conversation starters to initiate some deeper chats about gratitude in the workplace.
- Take a gratitude walk. As you walk, think through the things you are grateful for at that moment, starting with the basics. For example, “I am grateful for the trees, for the five minutes to take this walk, for the fresh air.” Then move deeper into your gratitude with more specific concepts. Your mind will wander and that is okay. Simply bring it back to your gratitude as often as you need to.
- Play the game ‘High, Low, Cheer!’ with your co-workers at your staff meetings. Each person shares something that has gone really well recently, something that has not gone so well (which gives the opportunity to have connection over hardships and opens the door for support), and something or someone they are grateful for.
- Handwrite at least one thank you note each week. There is something so special about a handwritten thank you note, and you will find that you and the recipient will both appreciate this so much.
Download the Gratitude in the Workplace Toolkit to learn more!
