Jumpstart your 2025 New Year’s resolutions by taking full advantage of your workplace wellness benefits 

As we kick off the new year, many of us start to think about our personal goals for 2025. Whether making New Year’s resolutions or just taking stock of progress on a personal journey, efforts to improve physical and mental well-being are frequently a top priority. Common wellness resolutions include plans to work out or meditate in the mornings, walk 10,000 steps daily, create a new sleep routine or train for a 5K on the weekends.

Work-related challenges are barriers to personal well-being

However, if you struggle to balance your personal goals with your workplace responsibilities, you are not alone. According to Deloitte, most employees (83%) and executives (74%) say they’re facing work-related obstacles when it comes to achieving their well-being goals. They cite a heavy workload or stressful job (30%) and limited time due to long work hours (27%) as the top two challenges. Considering that many of us spend nearly a quarter of our week at work, it is not surprising that our workday experience has a big impact on our personal wellness journey. For those working even longer hours like many banking and insurance employees, the time crunch can be even more significant.

Most of us are not taking full advantage of workplace wellness benefits

Companies are realizing this too. Investments in employee wellness programs have grown over the past decade. In industries like financial services, where some of the workforce challenges are well documented and employee retention is a key priority, there is likely support for your personal wellness journey included in your benefits package. However, research also shows that many of us are not fully taking advantage of these offerings. According to Gartner, Inc., although 80% of employees have access to fitness well-being offerings, only 32% use them.

Workplace wellness tips for the new year

This year can be different. As you think about your resolutions for 2025, review your workplace benefits and see if they can help you reach your goals. Maximizing wellness support through work and extending healthy habits into the workday are great ways to enhance your health journey.

Here are some quick workplace wellness tips to consider as we head into a new year:

• Set personal wellness goals: Think about personal health and wellness goals and identify habits that can support them both at home and at work. For example, if getting more physical movement into your day is important but your position requires long hours in front of a computer or on the road driving to client sites, perhaps there is a way to spend part of your day at a standing desk or to take a short walk break during lunch.

• Leverage available resources: Review workplace benefits and see where they might align with wellness goals and associated habits. Many banking and insurance companies are creating more holistic wellness programs that include everything from fitness stipends to free counseling services and flexible work options. As organizations work to expand their portfolio or wellness benefits to help employees manage the stress that can accompany the often demanding financial services environment, there will likely be something for everyone.

• Track your progress: For many of us, it can be highly motivating to see our progress against goals and celebrate big and small achievements throughout our journey. Wearables  can help you track and identify trends in the habits you identify as important. In fact, according to Deloitte’s Connected Consumer Survey, 69% percent of those who own smartwatches and fitness trackers say the devices improve their fitness, and 64% say they improve their health. Check to see if your company provides a fitness reimbursement to purchase  new technology, such as a smart watch or fitness ring, or replace an outdated one.

• Participate actively: Consistency is essential. Regular participation maximizes benefits, whether attending workshops, participating in team fitness challenges or taking advantage of counseling services. Connecting with those who face the same workplace rigors is a great way to uncover new ways to balance your personal wellness goals with the realities of the workday. For example, team step challenges can bring together remote claims adjuster teams through motivating group chats and a virtual monthly awards celebration.

• Integrate wellness into daily work routine: Within company policies, build in short daily wellness breaks to walk, stretch or meditate throughout the day. For instance, use your wearable device or mobile phone to set reminders to take a short stroll around the office or practice a few minutes of mindfulness.

Whatever your goals are for 2025, don’t leave your workplace benefits on the table. By being proactive, consistent and engaged in the programs your company offers, you can maximize the value of your employee wellness program to make your New Year’s resolutions a reality and improve your well-being in the bank branch, on the road and at home.

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