Fort Smith Chamber Wellness Week, Oct. 1-7 | Health

The Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Health Care Division announces Wellness Works! Wellness Week 2012.  Wellness Week 2012 is scheduled as October 1 through October 7, 2012 and is an effort to heighten the awareness and share the benefits of wellness in the workplace. 

In Fort Smith 30% of adults and 20% of preschool children are obese.  Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death.  The Chamber’s Health Care Division has been established to promote health awareness, encourage prevention of disease and support improved healthcare in Fort Smith. 

The Chamber is encouraging the community to participate during the first week of October to promote wellness in Fort Smith.  Ideas for participation for businesses, churches, schools and families are listed below.  Be creative and have Wellness on your mind the entire week.  Additionally, we’d like participants to share their progress, stories and photos with us through tagging the “Fort Smith Regional Chamber” page on Facebook and Tweeting with the hashtag #FSWellnessWeek.

Quick ideas for participation:

Monday, October 1 – Wellness Works
            Commit to making wellness a priority
            Form a committee of employees to talk about how your workplace can promote wellness
            Develop incentives to encourage participation

Tuesday, October 2 – Nutrition
            Plan a healthy staff lunch with a healthy recipe exchange
            Post nutritional information on your vending machines
            Make drinking water readily available

Wednesday, October 3 – Fitness
            Walk out day – everyone get up and go for a short walk
            Share information on local fitness clubs and any incentives for membership that you offer
            Form an exercise group

Thursday, October 4 – Check Ups & Vaccines
            Participate or host a screening event
            Host lunch and learn program on the importance of family wellness checks
            Inform employees of proper screening guidelines and ages

Friday, October 5 – Stress Reduction
            Provide chair massages for employees
            Make the break area relaxing
            Acknowledge employees for hard work and let them know their value

Saturday, October 6 – Focus on Family
            Encourage employees to spend quality time with family and friends
            Plan a co-worker picnic with family activities
            Provide Saturday employees a family lunch

Sunday, October 7 – Spiritual Wellness
            Remind church employees, volunteers and congregation that Wellness Works!
            Remind church staff of the scriptural wisdom of personal wellness
            Encourage church leaders to host a sports team, fitness or nutrition class

To learn more about wellness programs and establishing a wellness program in your business contact Whitney Yoder at the Fort Smith Chamber of  Commerce at 479-783-3111.