Are You Kidding? A Rant About Wellness Messaging

Please excuse me – I need to rant. September often brings the roll-out of new workplace wellness efforts.  Believe me, I am all for creating an environment to support healthy employees.  Today a reader sent this picture: You don’t have to be better than everybody else.You just have to be better than you have ever been. Are You Kidding? The goal of wellness message should be to encourage healthy behavior.  This one made the reader angry.  Me too! Better than I’ve ever been?  All it motivates me to do is scream, “Screw it! (or something more Erica Napoletano – esque) Why should I even try?” Is this a reasonable goal for most people? Really, who writes this stuff? I can only imagine someone in their twenties with the possibility of “better than ever” ahead. I remember my twenties, and even early 30s. As a professional dancer and choreographer, I was in pretty darned good shape. In my late 30’s and early 40’s (after pregnancy and my heart attack) I ran recreational triathlons.  Lots of personal bests there. Today, as I approach 50, I am reminded every morning by each creak and groan of the price my body paid dancing and why those triathlons are no longer an option. Screw you “Better than I’ve ever been”! Thanks for reminding me that those years are behind me. Rather than motivating me, you make me want to go back to bed! (As an aside, I think this messaging is morale deflating as well considering how many employers are asking workers to...
Source: Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Award Winning Blog Source Type: blogs