If you work from home or are a digital nomad, we figure you’ve identified wellness, well-being and work life balance on the top of your bucket list of areas to improve in your life. We venture to guess that accepting a remote job offer or arranging for a hybrid schedule was just one of the steps you took to improve your quality of life. Forbes, offered 6 reasons why working from home improves employee physical and mental health by adopting better self-care habits. Fortunately, remote and hybrid working arrangement
Dissatisfaction with wellness while at work
In a Forbes article on “Why wellbeing is critical for hybrid and remote work,” citing a Gympass survey showing an alarmingly percentage (48%) of American workers are dissatisfied with their wellbeing while at work, in contrast to employees in Brazil responding overwhelming satisfaction (80%) of their workplace wellness.
Before we get into the weeds, let’s step back for a moment.
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Can you even recall the first time you heard the term “wellness”?
Older generations may remember the term from public service announcements or magazine articles on nutrition and fitness, while younger folks may have lived through the surge in wellness-focused apps, or even done yoga classes with their friends.
Now, we may be dating ourselves a bit here, but during our time, all that wellness really meant was staying physically and mentally sharp. A bit of broccoli here, a trip to the gym there, and maybe some meditation sessions at the park now and again. But wellness as a concept has broken free from its one-size-fits-all definition, and has become so much more than simply doing the right things.
You may think that wellness and well-being are simple terms bantered around by health enthusiasts, not the working wealthy, owners or leaders of small businesses or large multi-national conglomerates.
Employee wellbeing is critical for maintaining key performance metrics
But, if you’re in these categories, dismiss wellness at your own peril.
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It is understood, from an I/O standpoint, the support of employee wellness is critical for key performance metrics:
- maintaining high levels of output,
- reducing employee turnover,
- fostering employee engagement
Employee wellbeing vital for addressing stress and preventing poor health
If you think about it, wellness is no longer a luxury. Its a staple. A necessity of work life. Even the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC): Workplace Health Resource Center has jumped on the bandwagon. The CDC has published research evidencing the ways in which employee well-being helps employees and individuals to:
- effectively manage the everyday stresses of life ,
- productively engage in one’s work,
- astutely accomplish one’s goals to realize one’s highest potential.
CDC, as its mandate is primarily focused on health and research pertaining to disease, the governmental agency equates wellbeing with good health. In this regard, we know that “healthy employees have a better quality of life, have lower risk of disease, illness, and injury.”
Links between adoption of self care habits and wellbeing
But our readers already know this. Forbes, for instance, offered 6 reasons why working from home improves employee physical and mental health. One key indicated was the adoption of better self-care habits. But, what can we tell you about wellbeing and wellness that you may not already know? Or, how can we be of service if you work for a company that provides an excellent opportunity to work from home but very little in the way of a formalized wellness program? We’re hoping to support you in your efforts to find ways for incorporating self care into you everydaylives.
There are companies that offer wellness retreats and experiences that allow remote, hybrid and in-office workers to incorporate self-care habits into their everyday routine. Some even create custom-made wellness programs to meet your specific needs.
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Leading the charge toward this new form of wellness are “transformational experiences”. If you haven’t heard this term before, you might be a bit leery about the whole thing.
What are these transformational experiences? How have they filled the gap left by our traditional conceptions of wellness? What can they do for you? And why might they work better than traditional “wellness” ideas?
Now worries—in this article, we’ll answer all those questions together!
Transformational experiences: Self-development’s new frontier
Who you are now and who you want to be are two very different things. The work we do to develop ourselves bridges that gap—and that’s where transformational experiences come in.
Transformational experiences are unique, specifically crafted opportunities for personal growth that help you reach new heights and learn new perspectives about yourself.
These experiences go beyond simply learning a few tips and tricks here and there—in many cases, they can be life changing! Transformative experiences can give you the room to step outside of what you know and experience something completely different from the everyday norm.
It could be a guided meditation session, an art therapy workshop, a week-long retreat, or even just a Zoom call with a trusted mentor. The possibilities are endless!
Forging your own path as a remote worker
You’ve already taken the first necessary step in the improvement of your quality of life. What, you may ask?
You’ve arranged to work from home, work from anywhere on a remote job, in a remote location away from a traditional office. You should pat yourself on the back. Now, you’ve got to take the next step. You need to discern what promotes your personal growth. Engaging in transformational experiences allows you to deepen your self-understanding and foster a sense of inner tranquility. It encourages you to embrace novelty and conquer fears, free from judgment or the fear of failure.
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These experiences are highly adaptable, designed to cater to your unique needs and aspirations. Whether you seek a fleeting event to surmount a particular hurdle, or a long-lasting endeavor for sustained self-improvement, a plethora of choices exist to accompany your journey.
How do transformational experiences differ from conventional wellness approaches?
You may ask, “What distinguishes transformational experiences from conventional wellness notions?”
Unlike the traditional focus on physical health and lifestyle, transformational experiences prioritize personal growth and enrichment. It’s beyond dietary improvement or better sleep—it’s about skill development and fresh thought approaches.
Engaging in transformational experiences doesn’t always entail life enhancement—it’s also about immersing in an inspiring environment for sheer enjoyment.
A nature retreat often works wonders. However, if it doesn’t resonate due to time, finances, or personal taste, several other transformational experiences can instill joy and purpose.
Understanding your needs is crucial. Assess your mental, physical, and spiritual state to discover experiences that genuinely heal and rejuvenate— it’s not about conforming to popular trends. Listen to your feelings and you’re sure to find creative solutions that invigorate and shape you into a better person.
The power of transformational experiences for the remote worker
Becoming acquainted with your inner self primes you for the maximum gain from each experience.
Yoga and meditation, no longer confined to their traditional forms, have evolved to cater to different preferences. Remote workers have the flexibility to set up their office space in areas of their choosing within their home. Further, we have the opportunity to exercise while working and taking more frequent walks outside. Research shows that a quick break outside on a park bench, in your backyard, or taking a brief walk around the block and in nature can improve the mood more so that trudging on an indoor treadmill in a gym.
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Craving adventure? Immerse yourself in a unique culture through volunteering. Outdoor activities, including hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking, could be the ticket to stress relief and new perspectives. For adrenaline junkies, they act as a stress buster while also shedding light on ways to navigate a complex world.
In fact, nature immersion, even for limited time periods have been shown to be effective for re-tooling one’s psyche. For instance, Harvard Business Review (HBR) reported upon global research spanning 18 countries with 16,000 participants. What were the research findings?
The more time that the participants spent visiting lush, green, inland-blue, and coastal-blue spaces over a four week period, the greater their positive well-being and the lower their mental distress.
Artistic engagements—painting, music, writing—can offer therapeutic avenues for emotional release. These activities provide a platform for genuine self-expression, a rarity in today’s world. There’s no right or wrong way to engage; just be yourself!
Every experience, every encounter, every moment matters. Pause. Reflect. Extract the wisdom from each instance and revel in your ongoing evolution. Notice not just the visible milestones, but the subtle changes, the quiet transformation within. This recognition ignites a flame, a drive to keep moving, keep evolving.
Final Thoughts
Seeking what truly aligns with you requires an exploration, a journey through myriad experiences. Yet, when you find your match, the results are nothing short of enchanting. By embracing the right blend of experiences and maintaining an open heart, you’ll witness your life blooming into something more profound, all within the comfort of your own boundaries!
