Are you somebody who thinks twice before adding a spoonful of sugar to your morning dose of hot filter coffee? Do you prefer taking the stairs over the lift? If your answers were ‘yes,’ you are sure to agree that maintaining a healthy lifestyle amidst a busy schedule can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Now more than ever, the importance of the saying – ‘Health is wealth’ – cannot be stressed enough.

Fitness is a long-term goal that demands perseverance and commitment. Whether it is a 30-minute brisk walk session at a nearby park, or a 60-minute power yoga class, inculcating an exercise routine goes a long way in impacting our health and energy levels. This holds equally true at our homes and workplaces. A balanced diet and an exercise regime can help manage weight, strengthen immunity, and protect from a wide range of illnesses. You can also stay in better shape and in a better mood when you eat right and stay fit. A dollop of motivation inspires us to keep fit, eat right, and exercise well. At AM International Group, we strive to empower and motivate our employees and their families to be hale and healthy. Recently, one of our group companies, Manali Petrochemicals Limited (MPL), conducted an interesting exercise for its employees – Health is Wealth 2018 contest.

Various research studies have confirmed the positive correlation between employee wellness and better organizational outcomes. For instance, studies by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans suggest that firms that have implemented workplace wellness programs have recorded significant decreases in absenteeism and increases in productivity.

The ‘Health is Wealth – 2018’ contest was rolled out in MPL in December 2018, with an aim to create awareness about healthy living and physical fitness. It saw enthusiastic participation among the employees across Chennai, Tuticorin, and Pondicherry.

Mr. Praveen Kumar from the mechanical department rose to the challenge and adopted a rigorous routine, to lose a whopping 11.8 kg in a short span of three months. He ‘walked away’ with a prize of Rs. 59,000! Mr. Charles Fernandez from electrical department lost 6.2 kg and stood second, while Mr. M Rajesh from mechanical department lost 4.3 kg and bagged the third place.

We at AM International believe that work-life balance is critical to keep both your body and mind fit, alert and healthy. This approach would help us spend the majority of our lives in our homes, offices, schools, and other institutes – rather than the four walls of a clinic or hospital, for the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure.

Praveen Kumar achieved this tremendous feat, by dedicating 45 minutes of walking and exercising twice and day, cutting down on sugar and junk food, and eating in moderation. His commitment and transformation have influenced hundreds of his co-workers, who are now motivated to manage their weight and stay fit.

From his example, we can learn than small but disciplined changes in our everyday routine can lead to a better quality of life. Often, fitness and good health are misunderstood as hitting the gym or hiring a trainer and exercising rigorously – a key reason why many of us avoid getting into it in the first place.

With such initiatives, we are striving to inculcate a healthy and balanced lifestyle in our employees and their families. We are proud to have observed positive results, in terms of reduced absenteeism, improved energy levels, and better health consciousness.

We believe that employers can take such initiatives to roll out measures that effectively manage workplace stress and create a harmonious office environment. Holistic wellbeing through employee engagement programs will add to the productivity of any organization, over both short and long terms. It is a bid to not only boost productivity but foster employee engagement and augment overall health.

We are now happy to reap the rewards of a robust health and wellness strategy!