"There is strong correlation between high stress/emotional issues and poor lifestyle choices," said Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, Chairman and CEO of ComPsych. "For example, smoking and overeating may be a means to self-medicate undiagnosed depression.
"To be effective, corporate wellness programs must focus on emotional as well as physical factors of the employee, and include a counseling component to address underlying issues," he added.
Key Findings of the Report:
- 40 percent say an emotional or physical health problem has interfered with normal activities with family, friends, neighbors or groups.
- 36 percent say they are tense or anxious much of the time.
- 43 percent did not receive good support from friends and family in the past six months.
- 21 percent said they have felt down, depressed or hopeless in the past month.
In addition, employees' current habits trend toward unhealthy:
- 34 percent of employees consume one or less fruits and vegetables each day.
- 23 percent admit to binge drinking within the past six months.
- Only 16 percent get enough sleep.
For a copy of the full report, including key recommendations for employer-based wellness programs, go to http://bit.ly/CPwellness.
ComPsych HealthyGuidance® programs target employee behavior and lifestyle issues before they become significant illnesses. The "Build-to-Suit" program includes health risk assessments and screenings; wellness coaching with behavioral, health and nutrition experts; online health management tools; wellness seminars/corporate challenges and targeted programs such as tobacco cessation, weight management and more. For more information, visit www.compsych.com.
