Is well-being more than just eating right? Wesleigh Roeca tells us about five trends you can’t ignore this year
A longer-living population, the emergence of holistic health, a better understanding of how nutrition impacts workplace outcomes and transformative artificial intelligence (AI). These are the key drivers that will revolutionise workplace well-being in 2024.
AI promises to dramatically change the way we view employee health. Just as powerful will be the changes that are being made to shift the focus from reactive to preventive care in the hope of limiting an aging work population from becoming an overwhelming burden on the NHS.
1. Holistic health and preventative health
2024 will see a major strategic shift from reactive to proactive employee wellness approaches. Holistic health and preventative health will take greater priority as employers realise the benefit of a proactive ‘whole person’ approach to health and wellness. This is about how an individual’s health is impacted by factors, including sleep, mental health and nutrition.
Employers will follow suit with appropriate programs that view health as an investment for increased “healthspan” rather than health as an expense. This ‘prevention is better than cure’ adage covers many themes, including nutrition and fitness. Research has shown that it can create long-term benefits for employees, as well as reducing costs associated with treating preventable conditions. Advances in AI will play a major role, enabling employees to spot early warning signs and implement rapid response.
2. Longevity and functional health
Longevity and functional health of employees will take greater precedence. In 2024, the rise of direct-to-consumer blood testing will help employers to understand the value of establishing baseline health status and tracking these over time.
Employees will receive direct access to their full-spectrum lab results that provide deep insights into their hormonal levels and micro/macro-nutrients. This will empower employees to understand their personalised health journey, from a holistic perspective, and enable them to make better lifestyle choices for increased “healthspan” and improved workplace well-being outcomes.
3. Hormonal health
In 2024, hormonal health will be recognised as an issue for all employees, not just women. Hormones regulate every process in the body, including stress, mental health and productivity. The rise of direct-to-consumer blood testing will provide employees with deep insights into their hormonal levels and micro/macro-nutrients.
Practical workplace intervention will innovate the next phase of workplace hormonal health by offering all employees personalised health insights, guidance to naturally supports the body in balancing hormones that lead to a healthier, more productive workforce.
4. Mental health
Mental health support will take greater priority among employers in 2024. Mental health awareness is continuing to be a key focus area for wellbeing programs and consistently rated as a top priority for younger employees. There is also increasing recognition for how nutrition and gut health plays into mental health and resilience.
5. Nutrition and work performance
In 2024, employers are poised to attain a comprehensive understanding of how nutrition significantly influences workplace outcomes, including enhanced engagement, retention, productivity, performance, and profitability. The intricate interplay between dietary habits, encompassing factors such as sleep quality, hormonal health, and brain function, directly shapes our overall presence and effectiveness in the professional setting. There’s a reason this matters so much. In our latest study, nearly half of younger workers (48%) said that they would quit their job tomorrow for one that better supported their well-being.
Transformation
In 2024, workplace well-being is poised for a significant transformation driven by a longer-living population, holistic health, enhanced nutrition awareness, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI).
Employers are shifting from reactive to proactive approaches, emphasising holistic and preventative health measures. The focus on longevity and functional health is rising, hormonal health is recognised as a concern for all employees, and mental health support is becoming a top priority.
Employers are gaining a comprehensive understanding of how nutrition significantly influences workplace outcomes, including engagement, retention, productivity, and overall well-being.
Wesleigh Roeca, is Director of Workplace Well-being at Lifesum
