How Does Wearable Technology Help in Workplace Wellness?
The world has gone through digital evolution over time and it will continue to evolve more as the technology is enhancing rapidly. Digital technology has changed the way employees or employers work in organizations. Smartphones have enabled hiring managers to schedule their meetings or interviews through the app. Employers have now easy access to the workflow of the different departments of the organization digitally. Employees use different kinds of apps to manage their work stuff in a much better way.
The world of digital technology has also empowered the wellness industry with wearable devices for employees designed to monitor their health and take necessary actions accordingly. Employers have started accepting wearable technology into their workplace wellness programs to increase the engagement of employees with health and wellness activities. Fitness trackers from Fitbit and smartwatches from Apple are the most used digital devices by employers for workplace wellness.
According to PWC, the use of wearable technology is expected to grow by 2020 in the wellness industry which means more & more companies will start evolving digitally to take care of their employees for better engagement and productivity.
What Is Wearable Technology?
Wearable technology includes devices designed to be worn on the body, capable of tracking and monitoring various health metrics. Equipped with sensors, these devices collect data such as:
- Physical activity (steps, distance, and calories burned)
- Heart rate and blood pressure
- Stress levels and breathing patterns
- Sleep quality and duration
Examples of popular wearables include the Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin devices, and specialized tools like Oura rings. These devices, often connected to smartphone apps, provide actionable insights into overall health and encourage users to adopt healthier habits.
Why Is Workplace Wellness Important?
A healthy workforce experiences fewer sick days, higher productivity, and better morale. However, sedentary jobs, long work hours, and high stress levels can take a toll on employee health. Wearable technology bridges the gap by making wellness more accessible, personalized, and actionable.
How Wearable Technology Enhances Workplace Wellness
1. Promotes Physical Activity
Wearables encourage employees to stay active by tracking steps, calories burned, and time spent sitting. Sedentary lifestyles are linked to numerous health risks, including obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Wearables provide reminders to stand, stretch, or walk, helping users incorporate movement into their day.
Example:
A smartwatch might nudge an employee to take a quick walk after sitting for an hour, promoting circulation and reducing the risk of health problems.
2. Improves Stress Management
Work stress is a common concern, often leading to burnout, reduced productivity, and mental health issues. Many wearable devices track stress levels by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) and provide tools like guided breathing exercises or mindfulness reminders to help employees relax.
Example:
The Apple Watch can detect stress through elevated heart rates and suggest a short breathing session to help calm the user.
3. Monitors Sleep Patterns
Sleep quality has a direct impact on productivity and mood. Wearables monitor sleep duration, cycles, and disturbances, providing insights to help employees make necessary lifestyle adjustments. Well-rested employees are more focused, energetic, and efficient at work.
Example:
A fitness tracker might show poor sleep trends, prompting the user to improve their nighttime routine or seek medical advice.
4. Encourages Preventive Health Measures
Wearables provide early warnings for potential health risks. Continuous health monitoring can detect irregularities in heart rate or blood oxygen levels, prompting users to seek medical attention before issues escalate.
Example:
A wearable might flag consistently high heart rates during rest, helping an employee address potential cardiovascular concerns early.
5. Facilitates Workplace Wellness Challenges
Wearables make organizing wellness challenges easier and more fun. Activities like step competitions or calorie-burning challenges foster teamwork, camaraderie, and healthy competition. Such programs encourage employees to be more active and engaged in their health.
Example:
A company might host a “Step Challenge” where employees track their steps using wearables. Teams compete for rewards, promoting both physical activity and collaboration.
6. Boosts Productivity and Focus
Healthy employees are more productive. Wearables help users identify and address factors affecting their energy levels, such as dehydration, inactivity, or poor sleep. Some wearables also offer productivity-enhancing features like reminders to take breaks and stretch.
7. Supports Hybrid and Remote Work Wellness
As hybrid and remote work setups become more common, maintaining employee wellness remotely is challenging. Wearables bridge this gap by allowing employees to track their health and participate in virtual wellness programs.
Example:
Remote workers can join virtual fitness challenges and share their progress using wearable data, staying connected and motivated despite working from different locations.
8. Reduces Healthcare Costs
By promoting preventive health and reducing the risk of chronic illnesses, wearable technology can lower healthcare costs for both employees and employers. Healthier employees mean fewer medical claims and reduced insurance premiums.
Benefits of Wearable Technology for Employers
- Improved Employee Engagement: Interactive and personalized wellness programs increase employee participation and satisfaction.
- Better Health Outcomes: Wearables encourage consistent monitoring and early detection, leading to healthier employees.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Aggregated data from wearables helps employers identify common health trends and design targeted wellness programs.
- Higher Retention Rates: A focus on wellness improves workplace culture, leading to happier employees and reduced turnover.
How to Integrate Wearable Technology into Workplace Wellness Programs?
1. Assess Employee Needs
Before introducing wearables, understand the unique health challenges faced by your workforce. Choose devices that address these challenges effectively.
2. Choose the Right Wearables
Provide employees with wearables that are user-friendly, reliable, and suited to their needs. Offer options to ensure inclusivity.
3. Incentivize Participation
Encourage employees to use wearables by offering perks such as subsidized devices, rewards for health milestones, or discounts on gym memberships.
4. Ensure Privacy
Reassure employees that their health data will remain confidential. Use anonymized, aggregated data for workplace wellness analysis.
The Future of Workplace Wellness with Wearable Technology
As wearable technology continues to advance, its role in workplace wellness will only grow. Innovations like AI-driven health analytics, integration with corporate wellness platforms, and wearable devices tailored for specific industries will make these programs even more impactful.
Conclusion
Wearable technology is revolutionizing workplace wellness by making health monitoring and improvement more accessible and engaging. These devices empower employees to take charge of their health while helping organizations create a supportive, health-focused environment.
From promoting physical activity to reducing stress and supporting remote wellness initiatives, wearables are a win-win for employees and employers. As more organizations adopt wearable technology, the future of workplace wellness looks brighter than ever.