Sometimes people are surprised to hear that a focus of our work is on health and wellness until we point out the connection between a successful company and a healthy workforce. Research tells us that healthy employees are less absent, more productive, innovative and creative. So, having the leanest and most active workforce in the country is a competitive advantage for us, and one we don’t take for granted. But we look at health as more than such physical well-being – it’s also about emotional and mental well-being. And, May is Mental Health Month so it’s a perfect time for us to be talking about total health:
Reenergize with activities that help you engage your mind and body at the Mental Health Center of Denver’s Well-Being Expo on Wednesday afternoon. You can explore aromatherapy and acupuncture or get tips for improving your finances or reducing your stress at work.
Get some exercise (I’ll ride my bike) – and then call your dentist. We all know biking, or any physical activity, makes us healthier and happier. In fact, biking prevents 50 deaths and provides over $500 million in health benefits just in Colorado. It’s great for business, too, contributing $1.6 billion to the state’s economy. That’s nice, but what does that have to do with your dentist? There’s more to your physical health than getting exercise. Your oral health is an important link to your overall health. More than 90 percent of systemic diseases are linked to oral health, but there’s good news: your dentist and hygienist can help be early detectors of 120 diseases. See more about the importance of oral health from Delta Dental.
Put the phone down over the long weekend. We’ve all sat in a meeting, heard a phone vibrate and reflexively checked our own phone. Ninety-one percent of Americans have their phones within reach 24 hours a day. (I’m helping drive that statistic.) So, we are clearly becoming reliant on smartphones. And, they are an incredible tool that also give us the flexibility to work away from the office and be connected to the world at all times. But, research tells us that breaks are good: they increase our productivity, give a boost to come up with new ideas and prevent us from burning out. Maybe try a trial separation over Memorial Day weekend and unplug a little.
There’s always support available to every one of us – please help us ensure everyone knows they can call 1-844-493-TALK or visit letstalkco.org anytime they may need support.
Kelly Brough is the president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber.