When organizations invest in workplace wellness, they’re not just offering employees “perks”—they’re cultivating a healthier, more engaged, and more resilient workforce. One often overlooked but highly impactful component of a wellness strategy is health coaching.
Health coaching complements any workplace wellness initiative by offering personalized, proactive, and preventative support to employees. It bridges the gap between broad wellness offerings and the unique, everyday needs of individuals.
What Do We Mean by Workplace Wellness?
“Workplace wellness programs are workplace-based programs that incorporate health promotion and disease prevention activities with the goal of improving the health of employees.” (Defining Workplace Wellness Programs, Hind & Rouse, 2017 – CLICK HERE to read the article).
With this definition in mind, health coaching fits seamlessly within a wellness strategy. It not only promotes health through personalized goal setting, but also supports disease prevention and early intervention.
The Value of Health Coaching
1. Personalized Support
Every employee’s health journey is unique. While one person may be focused on building healthier nutrition habits, another might be working to manage stress or improve sleep. Health coaching allows for individualized attention that addresses what matters most to each person.
2. Preventive and Proactive
Health coaching isn’t just for those with existing health concerns—it’s about prevention too. By discussing habits around nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress, employees can make small, sustainable changes that reduce their risk for future health issues.
3. Practical and Accessible
Most health coaching appointments last around 30 minutes. In that time, employees can walk away with actionable ideas—whether that’s a new recipe, stretching tips for the workday, or strategies to unwind and de-stress. Imagine the value of having that kind of personalized check-in built into your wellness program.
4. Boosting Engagement and Participation
Wellness programs often face the challenge of low participation rates. Offering health coaching changes that. When employees have the chance to connect one-on-one with a certified health coach, they feel heard, supported, and more likely to stay engaged with the broader program.
5. Accountability and Goal Achievement
Setting goals is one thing—sticking with them is another. Health coaches provide that extra layer of accountability that helps employees follow through. Over time, this can lead to significant improvements in an individual’s health profile.
A Tool for Chronic Disease Management
Health coaching also plays a critical role in supporting employees who are managing or at risk for chronic conditions. Imagine being told by a doctor that you need to make lifestyle changes because of diabetes or high blood pressure. That can feel overwhelming. A health coach helps break those changes down into realistic steps and provides ongoing encouragement to prevent further complications.
The Bottom Line
Health coaching isn’t just another wellness “add-on.” It’s a proven, high-impact strategy that supports employees where they are, helps them set and achieve goals, and drives higher engagement in workplace wellness overall. As Benefits Canada notes in a recent article (Read it HERE), health coaching offers measurable value for organizations committed to supporting the well-being of their people.
By integrating health coaching into your workplace wellness program, you’re not only investing in healthier employees—you’re investing in a stronger, more productive organization.
Need some more assistance?
Get your FREE No-Obligation Strategy Session by emailing us today (info@ewsnetwork.com). Employee Wellness Solutions Network can help you create a healthier culture resulting in a more profitable and successful workplace. Our memberships give you access to services including corporate wellness specialists, trainers and health coaches to help you create the best strategy for your organization.