A healthy workplace is more than a walking challenge, a bowl of fruit, or a once-a-year wellness fair. Employees bring their bodies, minds, relationships, and everyday pressures to work. That is why I developed GET STARTED as a simple, memorable approach to whole-person wellness.
The ten principles create a way to begin conversations about healthy habits and the workplace practices that support them. They are educational principles, not a substitute for individualized medical care.
G — Good Communication
Clear expectations, active listening, and respectful feedback reduce unnecessary friction. Teams can make communication healthier by discussing concerns early and checking for understanding.
E — Exercise
Movement does not have to mean a gym membership. Where practical, offer accessible walking breaks, movement-friendly meetings, and opportunities for employees with different abilities to participate.
T — Time With Others
Positive connection helps people feel less isolated. Encourage meaningful team interaction while respecting the fact that employees vary in how much social time they need.
S — Sunshine
Safe daylight exposure can support a healthy daily rhythm. When possible, create opportunities for outdoor breaks and natural light, with appropriate sun protection.
T — Trust & Good Principles
Integrity, consistency, respect, and purpose shape workplace culture. Trust grows when leaders keep commitments, acknowledge mistakes, and apply standards fairly.
A — Air
Good ventilation and comfortable indoor environments matter. Organizations should attend to indoor air quality and give employees options for fresh-air breaks where feasible.
R — Rest
Rest is not an employee reward; recovery is part of sustainable work. Predictable scheduling, reasonable workloads, time off, and healthy boundaries reinforce the importance of sleep and renewal.
T — Temperance
Moderation means making thoughtful choices and recognizing limits. In workplaces, it also means discouraging an always-on culture and treating breaks as normal rather than as signs of weakness.
E — Eat Healthy
Make nutritious options easier to access without judging individual food choices. Educational resources and thoughtful meeting refreshments can support better decisions.
D — Drink Water
Accessible drinking water and reasonable opportunities to hydrate are simple organizational supports. Encourage a practical routine rather than a one-size-fits-all target.
From principles to workplace practice
The most important step is pairing personal habits with organizational responsibility. A breathing break cannot solve unmanageable staffing, and a workshop cannot replace a respectful culture. Ask employees what barriers they face, then make improvements they can actually feel.
Start with one principle, one team conversation, and one practical change. That is how GET STARTED becomes a way of working rather than a slogan.