Volunteering Does the Body (and Your Employees) Good

In the past 10 years, we’ve seen more and more corporations developing employee wellness programs. And it is no longer just about having an office gym or healthy snacks in the kitchen.

Many corporations are now using their own money, time, and other resources to incentivize their employees to be healthy. From dental cleanings and discounts on gym apparel, to personal training sessions, companies are starting to take a serious look at how to improve the physical and mental condition of their employees.

Employers are finding that motivating their workers to be healthier makes them happier people, and consequently, happier employees. And while volunteering may not help you lose all that holiday weight in time for bikini season, it can still be a big contributor to your overall wellbeing!

In 2013, UnitedHealth Group conducted a study on the link between health and volunteering named “Doing Good is Good For You.” With all their expertise in the healthcare field combined with years of research, they found that volunteering makes employees feel better physically, emotionally and mentally. An astounding 76% of participants said that volunteering made them feel healthier and 94% said that volunteering improved their mood.

Volunteering managed and lowered employee stress levels, making them more engaged with their companies and eager to work. By integrating volunteering into your wellness program, your company shows that you care not only about your employees’ physical wellbeing, but also their mental!

Many corporations are using a third party to help with their wellness programs, such as Limeade or Healthways, these platforms allow employees to record and track their healthy activities. Employees can earn points which then equate to money that they can use to buy wellbeing-related items such as running shoes, water bottles, etc.

Humana, a VolunteerMatch client, uses volunteering as one of the activities to count towards Healthways points. As an employee tracks hours on VolunteerMatch, they are a few dollars closer to earning a reward that encourages them to keep being healthy! By placing the same value on volunteering as other physical activities, employees see that a company not only values but pushes well-rounded workers who give back!

As an employee engagement leader, you can encourage your company to volunteer in a healthy way: From coaching and sports related activities for a great cause, to getting your hands dirty with gardening, there are lots of volunteer opportunities that benefit your physical health. And with 15,000 opportunities related to health, 7,500 related to sports & fitness, and 2,500 related to gardening and plant restoration in the VolunteerMatch network, your employees are sure to find something that will get them outdoors and active. These opportunities get employees out of their chairs and collaborating with other employees, boosting moral.

If your company already utilizes an employee wellness program, think about all of the ways that you can reengage your employees by adding volunteering to the mix! It creates even more ways for your employees to be involved in both company programs, while keeping them happy and healthy!

Curious how you could easily roll volunteering into your company wellness program? Sign up for a demo of VolunteerMatch Solutions to get the wheels turning!