In the past month I attended trainings on Resiliency and Heartmath while re-visiting two books Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goldman and From Chaos to Coherence (The Power to Change Performance) by Bruce Cryer.  Relevant topics for our times, since there are not many days that are free of stressful news regarding the economy, jobs and other related issues.  As wellness team members we can help our fellow co-workers respond to change as a time of opportunity, with enthusiasm, creativity and determination rather than with fear, resistance and negativity. 
 
Resiliency is the ability to perform well under pressure and respond with flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances gracefully.  Resiliency is a key skill of emotional intelligence and theme for organizations that promote Inner Quality Management® (IQM) using biomedical research and practical tools for humanizing business, empowering people and organizations that respond gracefully to change, crisis and challenge.

Heartmath is from the Institute of HeartMath Research Center, a recognized global leader in emotional physiology and stress-management research. HeartMath is engaged in basic psychophysiology, neurocardiology and biophysics research, as well as clinical, workplace and organizational intervention and treatment outcome studies in collaboration with numerous universities, research centers and healthcare-system partners.
 
As wellness teams we cannot ignore the effects stress has on our co-workers and our company's bottom line.  Stress, depression and anxiety are major causes of presenteeism, absenteeism, turnover and injuries.  Each symptom is documented by Dr. Ron Goetze, Director of the Cornell University Institute for Health and Productivity Studies (IHPS) and Dee W. Edington PhD, Director, Univ. of Michigan Health Mgmt Research Center to consume at least 2 hours of the work day.  These conditions also decrease the body's immune system and cause distractions that can lead to accidents.  Areas to focus on include communications, benefits, policies, environments and culture. 
 
Many of the activities will need strong management support to be successful in creating and maintaining a resilient, healthy workforce that is energetic, enthusiastic, flexible and focused.  Two key components are communication and autonomy; no one likes surprises, especially the kind that leave us feeling like we have no control.  Communication plans should include regular communication from the management team.  One tactic is town meeting style meetings that allow for two way communication another is to actively engage staff to find ways to reduce costs, increase revenues, streamline processes and ways to support each other.  Healthy communication strategies foster healthy work environments and work cultures.

                             
Another area is benefit plan design; this is a great time to promote the benefits available to help combat stress and other life challenges.  Many employers offer EAP's/ employee assistance programs and coaching services which are generally under-utilized, enclose program brochures in paychecks, explain the program benefits in newsletter articles or on bulletin boards.  Highlight other benefits like tobacco cessation supports, the Maine Tobacco Helpline, substance abuse treatment supports, support groups or help lines and other resources in the community that meet employee needs.
 
Activities that help foster healthy life skills, build supportive work cultures and environments while strengthening relationships include creating fun gatherings or contests, offering chair massage, group stretch breaks, contests that promote physical activity, and promote volunteer opportunities in the community.  Laughter, physical activity, human connectiveness, and gratitude are stress antidotes since all release anti-stress hormones in the body.
 
Three advisements are one try to refrain from comparing the present with the past too often and two, reframe the current situation as an opportunity for positive change and offer hope.  Many organizations have seen their share ups and downs and we have weathered many economic down turns, spending too much time and energy in the past leaves little room to find opportunities for the future.  Three, now is not the time to cut short the investments made to help contain health risk costs, this send the message that wellness only matters when times are good, when containment measures are removed future costs tend to mushroom.
 
Another interesting book on stress is Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky.