Employee Wellbeing Fair: A Day Dedicated to a Healthier Future You

Chances are, you’re going to live a longer life than your parents. Although the COVID-19 pandemic briefly reversed the upward trend in life expectancy, ongoing medical advances make it likely you’ll live well into your 80s or beyond, with some variations depending on gender, race, ethnicity and income. 

But what about quality of life? While future diagnostic, surgical and pharmaceutical advances are likely to keep us alive longer, it’s largely the things we do today that will determine how we experience our later years. That’s why Alera Group chose “Live for tomorrow” as the theme for our fifth annual Employee Wellbeing Fair. 

You and your employees are welcome to join us for the virtual fair, a series of eight online sessions that will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 26. With session topics including metabolism, sleep, “sandwich generation” challenges, social media, menopause, foot health and nutrition, the program offers something for everyone. Participants may take part in one session, all eight or anywhere in between.  

Sessions at a glance 

Here’s a preview of the core of the program, between the 10:45 a.m. welcome and the 4 p.m. closing remarks (all times Eastern Daylight Time). 

•  11 a.m. — The Metabolism Reset: 3 Secrets That Impact Body Weight 
  When losing weight is difficult, metabolism can be a convenient scapegoat. But what if we gave our metabolism a boost? Find out from a registered dietician why you may be having trouble losing weight, and learn strategies for firing up your metabolism to make it an ally rather than an enemy. 
   
• 11:45 a.m. — Sleep Optimization: Strategies for Getting the Best Sleep of Your Life 
  As many as 70 million Americans are sleep deprived, according to the Cleveland Clinic, “and those hours of lost sleep add up to a bigger health deficit than you may realize.” One of the most important steps for our health and wellbeing is to rediscover and relearn everything we thought we knew about the essential skills for attaining quality sleep. 
   
• 12:30 p.m. — Thriving in the Middle: Practical Tips for "Sandwich Generation" Caregivers 
  Are you a member of a “sandwich generation,” those adults, typically between the ages of 40 and 60, who are caring for both their children and elderly parents? Review practical ways to nourish your spirit and prevent burnout. We'll cover tips on managing stress, prioritizing your needs and building a support system.
   
• 1:15 p.m.  — Guided Sound Bath: Overcome Burnout With Meditation 
  “Can a Sound Bath Wash Away Your Worries?” the New York Times asked earlier this year. In this 15-minute workshop, we'll use the power of sound and meditation to bring balance, relaxation and a sense of wellbeing to your mind, body and spirit. It may not wash away all your worries, but we’re pretty sure it will improve your day. 
   
• 1:30 p.m. — Digital Empowerment: Aligning Social Media Use With Improved Mental Health 
  Social media “helps some feel like they have more social support. But for others, it can increase isolation and depression,” the National Institutes of Health notes. Examine whether you and those you care about can harness social media to improve mental health across the age spectrum. 
   
• 2:15 p.m. — Thriving Through Menopause: Strategies for Wellbeing 
  Explore menopause as a time of transformation and opportunity. We'll cover strategies on how to navigate physical changes and optimize your health as you step into this next chapter — or season — of your life with confidence and vitality. 
   
• 3 p.m. — Rethinking Balance: Your Health From the Ground Up 
  Discover the surprising connection between foot health and your entire body.  In the Harvard Health Publishing article “Healthy feet, happy life,” podiatrist Kevin Riemer observes, “As you age, healthy feet become essential for being mobile, active and safe. You need to give them the required care in order to prevent problems, reduce pain and avoid injuries.” Learn how to keep your feet happy and healthy, improving your posture, balance and even your joints. 
   
• 3:30 p.m. — Powerful Nutrition Strategies: Strategies To Age Gracefully 
  This session unveils and explains science-backed nutrition strategies to help you age gracefully. Unleash the power of food for a long and vibrant life! 

A dream of a discussion 

While we’re excited for all eight sessions, the one with the most universal appeal may be the second, Sleep Optimization: Strategies for Getting the Best Sleep of Your Life. Hosted by Mollie Eastman, part of the NAO Wellness team, creator of the consultancy Sleep Is a Skill and host of The Sleep Is a Skill Podcast, this session will address the multiple and complex benefits of quality sleep and provide guidance on how to get the sleep you need to thrive. 

Most of us can use such guidance. A Gallup poll released in April “found 57% of Americans say they would feel better if they could get more sleep, while only 42% say they are getting as much sleep as they need,” according to the AP. 

An observational study published last month in the American Medical Association’s JAMA Open Network supports Eastman’s theses about how to rectify that.  

As reported in the Washington Post, the study of more than 45,000 U.S. women over a span of 20 years illustrated that even the simple act of substituting sleep and light activity for sedentary time at work or in front of the TV has a significant impact. Researchers found “that every two hours spent sitting and watching television was linked to a 12 percent decrease in the odds of healthy aging,” the Post reported. “Conversely, every two hours per day of light physical activity at work was linked to a 6 percent rise in the odds of healthy aging.”  

Timeless topics 

In a 2017 feature on NBC’s Today show titled “How to live without major regrets: 8 lessons from older Americans,” Cornell gerontologist Karl Pillemer explained the folly of reasoning that enjoying unhealthy activities at a younger age is worth losing a year or two in longevity.  

“The problem is, in this day and age you’re not going to die sooner; you’re going to be stuck with 10 or 20 years of chronic disease as modern medicine keeps you alive,” Pillemer said. 

Whether you and your employees are 22, 52 or 72, our 2024 Employee Wellbeing Fair will provide you with insights and useful guidance on how healthy activities will improve your life now and in the long term. Join us on September 26, and start living your best life. 

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT

About the author  

Andrea Davis 
Director of Wellbeing 
Alera Group 

Andrea Davis is committed to helping organizations build a strong culture of wellbeing through the use of innovative strategies and evidence-based practices.  Andrea partners with her clients to create tailored wellbeing programs that are holistic in nature, with the goal of ensuring that employees have the tools, resources and environment needed to feel supported and empowered to achieve their best health.  She graduated with a BS in engineering from Cornell University, and is a Thriving Workplace Culture Consultant and certified Health Coach.

 Contact Information: 

• andrea.davis@aleragroup.com 
• Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn