Simple Health & Wellbeing Changes That Last a Lifetime

This weekend we begin working with a new group attending a leadership programme we've been part of for many years now.

While looking through some of the wellness success stories from previous participants on the programme I was reminded of a particular Senior Executive who we met in 2007 and have kept in touch with ever since.  

You can read his full review of how he achieved great results here and I wanted to draw specific attention to the simple approach he employed that has enabled him to still be experiencing positive benefits every day thanks to changes he highlighted almost 7 years ago.

'I am a morning person so I rise early and exercise at least 30 mins every day without exception, the minute I start making exceptions is the moment that making exceptions becomes easier and eventually the norm. I am also early to bed, you have to have this balanced if you rise early otherwise sleep deprivation catches up to you. Find out how much sleep you need to perform well and make sure that you get it nightly w/as few exceptions as possible.'

You can read our series of wellness success stories starting here.

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Inspiring Wellness Success Story 13

'Eat the Elephant one slice at a time'.

Next in our series of success stories, a powerful illustration of how some simple planning with sleep, exercise and how much coffee to drink led to improved energy levels lasting for years.  A very clear example of how a few moments of focused thought can result in better performance and enhanced enjoyment of life for the long term.

Here's what made the difference for this individual:
The date of the wellness programme you attended 

Spring 2008

The lifestyle changes you made during programme

• Getting more sleep
• Taking regular exercise
• Drinking less coffee 
• Thinking in the morning, about when I am going to sleep at night. It secures a better rhythm, and it was something I learned from you

The lifestyle changes that have stuck with you to the present day 

All of the above

The secrets of your success with wellbeing 

Eat the elephant one slice at a time. If I had tried to do massive changes I am sure it would not have stuck. With the smaller adjustments I made, these have stuck as they were easy to implement - and they have made a big difference.

What advice that you received made the greatest impact on you? 

When you get up in the morning already start thinking about when you are going to bed at night

The biggest benefits of making your lifestyle changes? 

More surplus energy

Anything that got in the way of success with wellbeing 

No - as with all changes, they take time and there will be lapses. But having made small changes, these are easy to revert to if I have fallen off course

When wellbeing is working for you, what are the key elements that make the difference?  

Plan your sleep
 

Read the previous instalment of our Inspiring Wellness Success Stories here

Order your copy of “Successful Corporate Wellbeing Programmes: How to create a dynamic, energised and engaged workforce and boost business results” from our website today.

Image from Flickr: ohad*

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Inspiring Wellness Success Stories 10

'Stopping caffeine has helped my sleeping immeasurably'

Our latest success story illustrates how small, simple steps with wellness changes and a bit of planning can have dramatic and lasting effects.

Here's the story:

• The date of the wellness programme you attended:

June 2012

• The lifestyle changes you made during programme:

During the programme stopped caffeine, focussed on eating and drinking the “right” foods and drink to try and maintain equilibrium with my energy levels and improved hydration

• The lifestyle changes you made following programme:

Maintained a caffeine free status and although there have been some ups and downs in terms of diet still taking regular exercise with a half and full marathon planned this year

• The secrets of your success with wellness:

Having a written out plan, and regular times for exercise thought through in advance

• What advice that you received made the greatest impact on you?

Finding out how different food categories altered your blood sugar levels and therefore, your energy

• The biggest benefits of making your lifestyle changes?

Stopping caffeine has helped my sleeping immeasurably

• When wellness is working for you, what are the key elements that make the difference?  

Having breakfast, having healthy snack options when hungry and routine around when I exercise

  
Read the previous instalment of our inspiring wellness success stories

Image by @Doug88888 Flickr
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How to Run an Amazing Wellbeing Event

'We had an amazing day thank you, please pass on our thanks to the whole team.'

It's great to get positive feedback from the events we run.  Last Thursday's wellbeing day was based in a particularly challenging environment for the staff who work there.  Faced with a remote location and long working hours, eating well, fitting in exercise and sleeping well were all challenges they faced.

I thought it would be useful to share how we tackled some of these challenges on the day so you can use the information yourself or pass it on to colleagues.

If your office would benefit for a wellbeing day please get in touch with us and we can help you design an event that would suit your needs.

The secret to a successful event is to be able to give staff practical and realistic advice that makes a difference quickly. Here are some examples.

Wellbeing challenge 1
Our office is so far away from anywhere that we struggle to eat well.  The closest thing is a petrol station which is where most of us tend to go for lunch or snacks
Our nutritionist was able to provide a selection of simple snacks that can be prepared at home, as well as suggesting simple meals and encouraging people to cook extra at mealtimes and bring leftovers.  We also had a fitness expert on site conducting health assessments and providing staff with key performance indicators they can use to judge the benefits of eating more healthily as they monitor these numbers in the future.

Wellbeing challenge 2
I used to like running / gardening / walking but I've got a bad knee / back / shoulder so I've had to stop
At the event we had a physiotherapist and an osteopath who were able to provide advice on the stretches, strengthening exercises and postural adjustments required to fix injuries and get people back to the exercise they enjoy.

Wellbeing challenge 3
We're all pretty busy at the moment so it can be quite hard to unwind and relax at the end of the day
Thankfully our team of massage therapists were on hand to iron out any physical tension and also demonstrate that even short breaks pay dividends over the course of a long day when it comes to maintaining energy and focus.

Get the design right at your wellbeing day and the results will be amazing for you too.

Image by ontheflyrecipes Flickr

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