How to choose the best employee wellness app
Employee wellness programmes are no longer a nice-to-have perk but a strategic necessity for modern businesses, and mobile apps have been a key innovation that makes these programmes more accessible and impactful.
A 2023 Gallup workplace report revealed employees who feel their well-being is supported are 69% less likely to actively search for a new job and 71% less likely to experience burnout.
On the flip side, the most recent research by the American Psychological Association shows that 91% of employees who feel their employer supports their well-being feel motivated to do their best job.
While traditional wellness programmes often involve on-site initiatives such as fitness classes or health screenings, the rise of technology, particularly mobile apps, has revolutionised this space.
Wellness apps put resources directly into employees’ hands, making it easier than ever to engage in healthy behaviours anytime, anywhere. Many apps offer personalised plans and recommendations, tailoring the experience to everyone’s needs and goals.
Read More: Reimagining employee well-being
How employee wellness apps can supercharge your workplace
Employee wellness apps are powerful tools that can transform your workplace culture and bottom line. Here's how these digital solutions can supercharge your organisation:
Reduced healthcare costs
By encouraging preventive care and healthy habits, wellness apps can help reduce healthcare claims and insurance premiums.
Increased productivity
A healthier workforce is a more productive one. Employees who are physically and mentally healthy are less likely to miss work due to illness and tend to have higher energy levels and focus throughout the day.
Improved morale and engagement
When employees feel their company cares about their well-being, it fosters a positive work environment and boosts morale.
Lower absenteeism and turnover
Healthy employees are less likely to take sick days and more likely to stay with their employer long-term.
Enhanced recruitment and employer branding
A robust wellness program, especially one supported by a user-friendly app, can be a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent because it fosters a health-focused work culture.
Wellness apps provide a win-win solution for both employees and employers. They empower employees to take control of their health and well-being, while simultaneously providing organisations a measurable return on investment through a healthier, more productive, and engaged workforce.
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Top wellness mobile apps in the market
The market for employee wellness apps is booming, offering a wide array of options to cater to different needs and preferences. Here's a look at some of the leading apps making a difference in workplaces across the globe:
Headspace
This popular app focuses on mindfulness and meditation, offering guided sessions to reduce stress, improve sleep, and enhance overall mental well-being. It's a great option for companies seeking to address mental health challenges in the workplace.
Wysa
Wysa is an AI-powered chatbot that offers cognitive behavioural therapy techniques to help employees manage stress, anxiety, and depression. It provides a safe and anonymous space for employees to express their feelings and get support.
Gympass
This platform provides employees with access to a vast network of gyms and fitness studios, encouraging physical activity and exercise. It offers flexibility and convenience, allowing employees to choose from various workout options based on their interests and location.
Noom
This app focuses on behaviour change and personalised coaching to help employees achieve their weight loss and fitness goals. It combines psychological principles with nutrition guidance to create a sustainable approach to healthy living.
Calm
Calm is a meditation and sleep app that offers a wide range of guided meditations, sleep stories, and relaxing music to promote stress reduction and improve sleep quality. It's a valuable resource for employees experiencing work-related stress or burnout.
Burnalong
This platform offers live and on-demand fitness, nutrition, and wellness classes taught by expert instructors. It allows employees to participate in group classes, fostering social connection and motivation.
Virgin Pulse
This comprehensive platform covers multiple aspects of well-being, including physical activity, nutrition, mental health, financial well-being, and social connection. It offers personalised challenges, rewards, and resources to engage employees in healthy behaviours.
Limeade
Limeade focuses on employee engagement and well-being, offering a variety of programmes and tools to support physical, emotional, and financial health. It provides personalised recommendations and social support to encourage healthy habits.
While this list provides a starting point, the best app for your organisation will depend on your specific goals, budget, and employee preferences.
It's important to involve employees in the decision-making process and gather feedback to ensure the chosen app meets their needs and interests.
Consider offering a trial period of a few apps to allow employees to test them out and provide feedback before making a final decision.
Read More: Employee wellness – A buzzword in boardrooms
Getting started with employee wellness apps
To ensure a successful launch and consistent engagement in mobile employee wellness apps, a well-thought-out plan is essential.
Begin by establishing clear goals for your wellness programme. What specific outcomes do you hope to achieve? Is it reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity, or improved employee morale?
Once you have defined your goals, involve employees in the selection process to ensure your choice aligns with their needs and interests. Consider conducting surveys or focus groups to gather feedback and preferences.
After selecting an app, promote it actively within your organisation. Communicate the benefits clearly and highlight how it can support employees' well-being goals in a campaign.
Offer incentives, such as challenges or rewards, to encourage participation. Make the app easily accessible and integrate it with existing communication channels or intranet systems.
To sustain engagement, regularly update and refresh the app content. Introduce new challenges, competitions, or educational resources to keep employees motivated.
Gather feedback from employees and use data analytics to track usage patterns and identify areas for improvement. Celebrate successes and share positive outcomes to reinforce the value of the program.
Remember: the success of your employee wellness app hinges on ongoing commitment and communication.
Regularly assess the impact of your initiatives by tracking key metrics such as app usage, employee feedback, and changes in health outcomes or productivity.
By actively promoting, engaging with, and evaluating your wellness app, you can create a lasting culture of well-being within your organisation.
