Social support through positive, health-promoting relationships can have a significant impact on motivation and long-term success. Here are a 6 ways to facilitate social support in your wellness program.

• Lead the formation of activity groups like walking, training for a fun run, yoga, softball, or basketball. Help people connect with each other while boosting fitness and camaraderie. Use free online tools like MapWalk (www.mapwalk.com).
• Create an online identity for your wellness program using Facebook, Twitter, or other social networking media. Invite employees, plus family and friends, to join for program updates, inspiring quotes, and other motivating content.
• Host wellness events that encourage teamwork, like brainstorming sessions to address common fitness challenges, or luncheons where teammates can share public praise (Most Inspirational, Ms. or Mr. Congeniality, Team Comedian). Challenges like briefcase relays, zucchini races, or tug-of-wars are always popular and great for team-building.
• Get your organization together for a cause. Find an active charity event that everyone can believe in (Relay for Life, AIDS walk), and help raise money and awareness. Invite employees to bring family and friends to the event.
• Sponsor a weekly or monthly onsite or virtual support group. Give it an energizing name; invite coworkers and their families to join in and share successes, challenges, and solutions for healthier lifestyles. Schedule potluck lunches, with themes aligned to your wellness program — they’re a great way to share ideas and healthy recipes.
• Host monthly family nights, where employees, family, and friends can have fun being healthy. During winter and summer Games, have mock Olympics events. Give medals, plus wellness-themed prizes — step counters, recipe books, water bottles, etc.

To learn more about the advantages of social support in your wellness program, download the free white paper: Social Support – Impact on health and the bottom line at www.hesonline.com/sswp.  

Health Enhancement Systems has built in social support features in our new online health improvement programs Feel Like a Million, NutriSum, and Great American Fitness Adventure. These interactive programs engage participants in health behavior change through team competitions and individual challenges. To learn more, email Amie Barrett (amieb@hesonline.com).