As our country’s rates of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes hit record highs, society is finally starting to realize that health and wellness is not just a trend – it’s a necessity. Due to the amount of time that we spend at work, it makes sense that this necessary change in diet, exercise, and lifestyle should begin in the workplace. Employers want to see their expenses decrease, and one way to do that is to help your employees help themselves, through a Health and Wellness Fair.

Health and Wellness Fairs are a great way to encourage and educate. A fair can run one day or you can set aside a whole month; it can even become a regular, permanent monthly event. Fairs not only provide information, but can be an opportunity to introduce different foods, activities and ideas to your employees that will help them make positive lifestyle improvements. A healthier workforce can translate into lower healthcare costs, less time off work, and happier, more productive employees.

Coordinating a Health and Wellness Fair doesn’t require a huge dollar investment. It does, however, require some creativity and some leg work. Events or activities need to be well organized and planned, and if you’re working with a tight budget, you’ll need to invest some time in research and inquiries.

First, determine what you have time for. Maybe your company can afford one entire day, or perhaps you’ll have to organize voluntary lunch time events – once or twice a week for a month. You can also utilize breaks in the morning or afternoon for quick walks or to offer healthy snacks. Once you have the time frame, start planning what the goals and themes will be for each time period. Consider what lifestyle changes will be taught or encouraged. How will you continue these changes throughout the year? Walking clubs, lunch buddies, and goal setting are ideas you can implement at your Health and Wellness Fair that can be self-managed by employees long after the Fair is over. You may also want to introduce your employees to alternative methods of dieting, exercise, stress reduction, etc. Some people may not be exposed to or have knowledge of the tools they need to help themselves.

Areas to focus on may include:

Nutrition – diet, proper portion size, calculating caloric intake for their weight/goals, adding beneficial foods such as whole grains, fruits and veggies to daily intake.

Exercise – incorporating exercise into a daily routine, proper technique for simple exercises, alternatives to the traditional workout such as yoga, pilates, walking, dance, biking, hiking.

Mental Well-being – meditation, stress reduction, work/life balance

Benefits – understanding healthcare plans, utilizing the extra programs that most carriers offer

Resources to help you cut costs:

Internet – there is a wealth of articles, ideas, and information out there on every health and wellness topic. Just be sure to use reputable sources, and verify and compare the information from multiple sites. Most employees, however, won’t take the time to read through long articles, so consider making bulleted lists or simple summaries.

Vendors – does your company work with any vendors? Particularly ones that have an interest in health? Use those contacts and ask for their assistance. Explain your cause coherently and concisely, and be sure to specify what you’re looking for: cash for your Wellness Fair expenses, prizes to raffle off for participation, a representative to come out and educate employees, etc.

Local Businesses – many of the restaurants, gyms, and juice bars in your area may be willing to help out or donate, especially if you emphasize that you’ll promote their business with your employees. You’ll be surprised what you can get if you just ask.

Employees – don’t forget to utilize your in-house resources! Employees may have spouses, friends, or family that may be personal trainers, dietitians, nutritionists, massage therapists, chiropractors, etc. They might be able to do a demonstration or presentation for free or for a nominal price.

Creativity and Brainstorming – nothing beats collective brainstorming. Enlist assistance and have those people bring some low-cost ideas to the table. Creating competitions for workouts or diets, awarding “bragging rights” and having employees pitch in for healthy potluck lunches are free ways to kick start a wellness regimen.

Tailor your program to your workforce’s particular needs or wants. Perhaps you already have a younger, healthier workforce but they are uneducated on their benefits. You could schedule one month where time off for preventative care and annual check-ups is encouraged, and an educational benefits briefing is held. A raffle could be held for everyone that actually got their check-up completed.

Or, perhaps you have a mostly older workforce with no time for exercise or healthy meal preparation. Setting up a vendor to come in and sell pre-made healthy breakfasts/lunches, or organizing a lunch time walking club (and providing incentive through prizes/raffles for participation, etc), would help your employees make healthier choices and be more active during their workday.

Results and effects of a wellness program take an average of about 18 months to see. Since rate changes for your insurance are based on the previous year’s claims and usage, it would be at least a full year before rate reductions or smaller increases would apply. However, the beneficial workforce effects of reduced sick time off, increased energy and productivity, happiness, loyalty, and appreciation, can be visible immediately. In the end, you will find that by improving your employees’ Health and Wellness, the company’s financial health and wellness is improved as well.