Looking for fun and easy “Wellness Hacks” to promote a healthy lifestyle in your municipality? Read below to discover new ways to implement Wellness strategies into your workplace!
Monroe Township Wellness Vision Board
Congratulations Monroe Township on kicking off 2024 with a winning wellness activity. More than a dozen employees were inspired to create their own vision board for this new year! January is a great time to set our sights on what we hope to manifest as we move through the year. Actually, anytime is a good time to reflect, show gratitude and set positive intentions to create the life we want. Perhaps this is something you would like to try at your municipality (or department).
Special thanks to Deb B. and Tiffany C.!
The January Wellness Wednesday will be all about setting goals and achieving them!
Whatever you hope to accomplish this year, a vision board is a great daily reminder of your goals. A vision board is essentially a physical (or virtual) manifestation of your goals. Vision boarding involves collecting images or objects that speak to the future you want to create and arranging them on a board for a tangible and aesthetically pleasing reminder of where you’re heading. See the image below for some helpful examples to get you started.
West Deptford Celebrates National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month! Everyone is invited to learn how to make informed food choices and develop healthy eating and physical activity habits. West Deptford’s Wellness Coordinator, Mandee C., organized a successful event and received appreciation from her peers. What better way to celebrate than kicking off the month with fruit trays for each department.
At the start of the week, ShopRite delivered fruit trays to all municipal department break rooms between the hours of 10:30-11:00 a.m. in celebration of kicking off National Nutrition Month and National Snack Day! In addition, she invited all staff to join the celebration by taking part in the “Powered by Plants Challenge” and following the daily and healthy lifestyle goals shown on the calendar she created.
Way to go, Mandee!
Happy Heart Day: East Greenwich
American Heart Month!
February is American Heart Month, and the American Heart Association encouraged people to wear red on February 4 for National Wear Red Day. Thanks to all JIF members who participated and sent in pictures encouraging everyone to create healthy habits that give them the best chance at a longer, healthier life.
The national campaign urges women to learn their risk for heart disease and to take steps to lower their risk. What increases a woman’s chances of heart disease?
• Smoking
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Family history (however, your genes load the gun, your environment pulls the trigger…YOU are in more control than you may think!)
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s
• Complications during pregnancy
• Menopause
What choices can you make this month and in the future to keep your heart healthy?
Wellness Prize Ideas by West Deptford
Is your municipality struggling to identify interesting prize ideas for your Wellness contests? Check out these creative items from Mandee Casey, the Wellness Coordinator at West Deptford. The Township offered various self care items including bath salts, heated and weighted blankets, a scented diffuser set, tea and a Brita water filter.
These gift ideas improve employee well-being by promoting better sleep, reducing stress and anxiety, and developing more mindfulness. When selecting prizes, try to maximize engagement and excitement while keeping the focus on Wellness. Contact Deb Schiffer at debby_schiffer@targetingwellness.com to discuss these and other prize options. Thanks Mandee!
Greenwich Township Autumn Display Board
Autumn leaves and pumpkins please! A bright Autumn bulletin board created by Holly at Greenwich Township required minimal effort, and help usher cheery Fall vibes into the office. A few Autumn recipes, articles and quotes about gratitude, and the monthly Wellness calendar are on display. Click the image for a close up view. Way to go Greenwich Township!
Mantua Township Encourages Wellness With New Display
Mantua Township used their JIF Wellness funds to purchase a display rack to share Wellness information and brochures with their employees. So many topics available all in one place including how to avoid diabetes and high blood pressure, heart health, tips for de-stressing and so much more. This is a wonderful and simple way to remind co-workers that their health and well-being is a daily priority. (Click on the image to view it full size.) Great job Mantua!
East Greenwich Raises Heart-Health Awareness for Wear Red Day
East Greenwich Township celebrated National Wear Red Day on February 5, 2021! Each year on this day, women (and men) are encouraged to “wear red and give” as part of the American Heart Association’s signature movement, Go Red for Women. Cardiovascular disease is the number one health threat for women in the US. Click here to learn more about the American Heart Association’s campaign to fight heart disease.
Way to go East Greenwich! Even a pandemic can’t keep them from staying connected…at the heart!
Woolwich Township Stays Creative Through COVID-19
Woolwich Township employees participated in a pumpkin event at a local business outside after work. No carving was done, instead they hot glued moss on top of each pumpkin like a birds nest. Then it was filled with soil and planted with succulents. When the pumpkin starts to rot, they can remove the “birds nest” and place it in a dish. A safe and fun way to get together with co-workers and friends and de-stress at the same time. The stages of the creation are shown in the pictures below:
Mannington Township
Mannington Township recognized a terrific way to use their wellness funds…..they purchased wrist blood pressure cuffs for their employees! It’s easy to use and comes with a comprehensive instruction booklet. For large municipalities who may not be able to purchase one for every employee, perhaps having one designated per department would be a good option. Hats off to Mannington for a clever use of your wellness funds. For more ideas, Click here to view the JIF approved Wellness Items & Activities Flyer.
Vineland
The City of Vineland hosted a Wellness Jeopardy Game with ShopRite’s Registered Dietitian. Employees organized themselves into teams and had a friendly competition to see who could get the most correct answers. Topics included nutrition, chronic disease, physical activity, vitamins and miscellaneous. Lots of laughs and ribbing went on, all in the spirit of fun and team building. Healthy snacks were served at the end of the game. Way to go Vineland!
Mantua Township
A big shout out to Mantua Township’s Wellness Team and the Township Committee! They decorated doors to liven up their offices and provide a festive spirit to both the Municipal Building and Police Department.
The Township Committee had a tough decision to make after viewing and judging each department’s door. The amount of time and effort that was put forth by everyone was truly remarkable. But after the ballots were tallied, the big winner this year for our first ever Mindful Wellness Activity was the Construction Door. The craftmanship, attention to detail and beautiful aroma were some of the key factors for the big win.
As part of the Wellness program, the winning employees who participated will receive an Amazon gift card. Happy Thanksgiving and we are thankful for Mantua Township for lifting spirits with this fun activity.
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- WINNER!
West Deptford Towsnhip
Mandee Casey, the Wellness Champion from West Deptford, selected, purchased and assembled a variety of healthy snack baskets for each municipal department to enjoy. She sent this email to all Township Employees:
Happy Wednesday! On Monday, November 11th you will have the opportunity to take a small step towards a healthier lifestyle by choosing healthy snacks!
We all know how hard it can be to eat healthy at work. The constant supply of sugary, trans fat loaded unhealthy snacks sitting on the break room table requires too much willpower to avoid.
About three-fourths of the U.S. population has an eating pattern that is low in vegetables, fruits, and dairy, and most Americans exceed the recommendations for added sugars, saturated fats and sodium. Making shifts to a healthy and balanced eating pattern – including snacks – can help meet nutrient needs, support a healthy body weight, and lessen the risk for chronic disease.
Here’s your chance to see the variety of healthy snacks available and to try one of your choice. In addition to the snacks, tips and recipes will be provided. Snack baskets will be
available after 9:00 am in your department break room. Please be courteous of fellow employees and limit yourself to one snack per person!
Lastly, please fill out a raffle ticket for our our end of the year raffle drawing. Tickets are located next to the snack basket in the yellow envelope.
Healthy snacking is fun and our Healthy Snack Day event is a place where employees can come to be inspired by easy, affordable and nutritious options. Please share the news with your fellow employees. Have a wonderful November filled with joy, happiness and great times with family and friends!
Please keep an eye out for FREE chair massage during the month of December.
-Mandee Casey
Monroe Township
Monroe Township certainly demonstrated unity and support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! The Police Department ordered and distributed these shirts for township employees. Thank you Monroe for showing not only awareness for a serious disease but expressing camaraderie among all departments!
Glassboro Borough
Glassboro hosted their annual Employee Safety & Wellness Day. Over the last few years, fun lawn games were included to promote team building and movement. It’s an enjoyable way to interact with co-workers outside of job requirements. It also allows folks a chance to escape outside and enjoy the benefits of nature while helping to reduce stress levels. Plus, attending vendors provide valuable information and services. A win-win for all!
Alloway Township
Alloway Township created a fun and informational Autumn Wellness Bulletin Board. Tips include how to snack right at work, help alleviate back pain, and how to avoid the afternoon slump! Use this board for inspiration for all things workplace wellness. Plus Township employees were appreciative of the healthy snacks and water purchased with the Wellness funds.
Woolwich Township
The Woolwich Township employees are at it again…team building that is! First the Escape Room and now Axe Throwing! I’m sure our JIF Risk Managers are cringing at the thought, but it’s actually very well organized with training and supervision. Anyone can learn and end up hitting the bulls eye!
In addition:
• It’s a wonderful stress reliever!
• It’s a great team building activity for your office!
• And its cardio work!
• Each axe weighs about 35 pounds-repeatedly throwing one at a target will definitely get the heart rate going!
Consider organizing a fun adventure for your department. It’s a great way to build camaraderie and de-stress!
South Harrison Township
South Harrison Township used their Wellness funds to supply each employee with a backpack filled with Safety and Wellness items to keep them protected and ready for the summer sun! Thank you to South Harrison’s Wellness Coordinator, Sandi McCafferty and the entire Wellness Committee!
Greenwich Township
Greenwich Township created a “Wellness in the Workplace” bulletin board displaying monthly wellness newsletters, monthly exercise suggestions, healthy snack ideas and more. Township employees will be updating this monthly.
Alloway Township
Even our small towns are promoting wellness! Alloway Township created a Spring Wellness Informational Board.
It’s not always about the number of wellness initiatives that you implement; it’s about doing what works best for your municipality. Communicating wellness and enhancing awareness for employees can make positive lifestyle changes.
Thank you Alloway Township for showing you care!
(Click image to enlarge.)
East Greenwich Township
The first Friday of February has been designated National Wear Red Day. On this day, men and women are encouraged to wear red as a symbol of their support of women’s heart health. Great effort by East Greenwich Twp. for actively participating in the American Heart Association’s national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women. You can also click here to discover ways to prevent heart disease.
Monroe Township
Monroe Township continues to display their colorful and attractively decorated health and wellness bulletin board, positioned next to the employee time clock. Every month, Monroe Township’s Wellness Coordinator, Dawn Farrell, prints, laminates and posts the Wellness Corner Connection Newsletter and Monthly Challenges along with any supporting information. Extra copies are stored in the adjacent bins for employees and residents to enjoy! Thank you Dawn for all your support!
City of Vineland
June is National Safety Month, and the City of Vineland is using this year’s theme, #No1GetsHurt to reinforce safety among employees. They distribute weekly topical e-mails on emergency preparedness, wellness, falls and driving. The first week’s theme for National Safety Month is Emergency Preparedness. Week 2 of National Safety Month focuses on Wellness and the importance of sleep. Employees who email the Wellness Coordinator with the hash tag #No1GetsHurt will be eligible for a drawing for a $25 gift card at the end of the month. Documents supporting the weekly theme were emailed to all employees.
City of Vineland
Vineland also replaced their vending machines with healthier choices! In addition, the city hung signs to encourage the use of stairs in City Hall, demonstrating that even one flight of stairs can improve your health. Way to go Vineland! Continuing the motivation towards wellness…one step at a time!
Penns Grove Borough
Penns Grove’s Wellness Coordinator, Kayla Veltman, brings to light the, sometimes ignored, observance of Mental Health. During the month of May (Mental Health Month), employees were encouraged to enhance emotional wellness through art expression of any form. Employees displayed their creativity during a Human Science Art Gala held in the court room. Voting ballots were available for co-workers to select their favorite entry. Entrants names could remain anonymous if they wished. Tracy Thompson from the Police Dept won the “Human Science Art Gala” contest with her hand-made, adorable crochet characters. As the winner she received a SereneLife Home/Office Exercise Bike and a certificate of Achievement. Everyone enjoyed a healthy lunch in celebration. Thank you Kayla for promoting and supporting wellness!
City of Vineland
The City of Vineland municipality celebrated their Annual Diva Night in style with a Mardi Gras flare. Organized by the very creative and ambitious wellness coordinator, Denise Ciulla, 15 Vineland municipal employees gathered at Inspira Radiology in Vineland for their annual mammogram. Two teams were formed and encouraged to used their creativity to decorate a female undergarment in honor of the “Mardi Bras” theme! A member from each team volunteered to “model” the “artwork”. Games were played and chair massages offered to help create a supportive and friendly environment. As women completed their turn in the examination room, they were greeted with Mardi Gras beads and cheers! Food was offered for those who waited. One employee shared her baking skills by bringing in a cake replicating a festive swim suit top. What a great way for women to share in what can be a very “pressing” situation!
Monroe Township
Monroe Township’s new Wellness Bulletin Board is conveniently mounted next to the employee time clock. The monthly Wellness Corner Connection Newsletter will be displayed along with wellness handouts and program announcements. Remember: the key to having a successful wellness program at work is encouraging overall well being while still keeping it fun!
Swedesboro Borough
Check out Swedesboro’s “Touchdown Challenge” which kicked off January 1st and ran through Superbowl Sunday! It’s an easy to way to motivate employees to stay on track with an exercise routine. Organizers found an online football field pic, enlarged it at Staples and participants created their own playing piece.
Here is how the challenge works:
For every four workouts completed, you advance 25 yards towards the end zone.
- One workout equals a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise on a given day.
- For every 25 yards you move, your name is entered to win a chance at a prize.
- Reach the finish line and earn another entry.
- You can earn up to 5 entries.
- Examples of exercises that qualify: any exercise class, walking, running, weight lifting, yoga/stretching, swimming, biking, etc. (split up your 30 minutes however you need to…10/10/10 or 15/15…as long as it equals 30 minutes on the same day.)
Nice job Swedesboro!
Mantua Township
Mantua Township recently converted a “Break Room” into a “Wellness Room.” They hung beautiful inspirational posters, added fresh carpeting, music, PLUS a new treadmill which was unveiled to excited employees in December. This room promotes overall employee health with exercise, a refrigerator for healthy packed lunches and a place to relax and de-stress for a few minutes. Way to go Mantua!
Check out Vineland’s Stairway Challenge:
The City of Vineland employees vowed to abstain from using the elevator and ONLY use the stairs. Much like the contestants on the popular reality show Survivor, these brave employees challenged each other to use the stairs for 39 days! Anyone caught using the elevator was immediately eliminated.
Out of 32 people who started this challenge, 27 actually went all the way to the finish line! Collectively, they walked a total of 17.410 flights with the winner completing 2,182 flights on her own! What a great challenge of endurance, determination, and perseverance. Physical as well as mental strength was built on this one!
Congratulations goes out to all 32 employees who had the courage to even try! The photo shows those participants and was hung on the Wall of Survivors.
Click on the links to learn more about other ways to promote wellness in your municipality:
- Random Acts of Kindness Toolkit
- Move More TRICO
- Curb Appeal Ideas
- Healthy Choice Options for Snack and Vending Areas
- Standing Work Station