How can a health assessment help your employees to keep their health and fitness goals on track this New Year?
The New Year is a time when many of the employees in your workforce may be thinking of setting fresh new year resolutions. While these goals can vary widely, a significant number focus on improving health—whether it’s losing weight, getting fitter, or enhancing overall wellbeing.
However, without a clear understanding of the current health status, setting realistic and achievable goals can be challenging. Undetected health issues, such as underlying conditions, nutrient deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances, may unknowingly hinder progress.
This article explores how health assessments can provide employees with crucial insights into their health, empowering them to set informed goals and stay on track with their fitness ambitions in the New Year.
What can a health assessment uncover about an individual’s health?
A health assessment can provide individuals with vital insights into their overall health, which can be especially useful when setting achievable New Year health and fitness goals.
Weight, BMI and body composition
Losing weight is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions, but setting meaningful weight loss goals begins with understanding an individual’s current state. Without a clear picture of their weight or body composition, creating an effective and achievable plan becomes challenging.
Bluecrest’s health assessments go beyond basic measurements like weight and BMI. Through advanced body composition scans, they offer a detailed breakdown of an individual’s body makeup—including muscle mass, visceral fat, body water, and more.
These comprehensive insights enable individuals to set realistic, personalised weight loss targets tailored to their unique body composition and health needs.
Risk of certain health conditions
Before employees embark on any new health and fitness regime, it can be useful for them to understand the heightened risk of common health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. This knowledge can help individuals address any issues that may be increasing their risk of certain conditions. For example, it could involve making simple dietary changes, such as reducing sugar or salt intake.
Knowing the risk of common health conditions can also ensure employees take any necessary precautions and seek appropriate medical advice before making any changes to their diet and activity levels.
At Bluecrest our health assessment packages offer insights into your risk of: ? High cholesterol ? Heart disease and stroke ? Diabetes ? Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) – in those aged 40-79
Blood pressure
High blood pressure can significantly increase the risk of serious health complications, such as heart attacks and strokes. However, because high blood pressure often has no noticeable symptoms, it can remain undetected for years. This is why it is essential for employees to have their blood pressure checked regularly.
To support this, every health assessment package includes a blood pressure check as standard. Regular monitoring helps individuals identify any issues early and take proactive steps to protect their long-term health.
Heart rhythm
Heart rhythm provides vital insights into how well the heart is functioning and how it may impact overall health and fitness goals. For example, an irregular heart rhythm can increase the risk of strokes due to a higher likelihood of blood clots forming.
Bluecrest uses an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor heart rate, rhythm, and electrical activity over a short period. This non-invasive test helps identify potential issues, allowing individuals to take proactive steps toward maintaining a healthy heart.
Learn more about how an [ECG can help show heart problems] (https://www.bluecrestwellness.com/article/will-an-ecg-show-heart-problems).
Key organ function
For optimal functioning, the body relies on key organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. If any of these organs are not working correctly, it can impact overall health and wellbeing, potentially hindering progress toward New Year fitness goals.
With a health assessment, employees can gain valuable insights into kidney, heart, and liver function through a simple blood test. Additionally, lung health can be assessed using a breathing test called spirometry. These tests provide a clearer picture of an individual’s health, helping them make informed decisions about their fitness journey.
Bone health
Maintaining strong and healthy bones becomes increasingly important as individuals age, as the risk of developing weak, fragile bones or conditions like osteoporosis naturally rises.
Testing calcium levels in the blood—an essential mineral for healthy bone formation—can help determine if an individual has sufficient calcium levels to support bone health.
Energy function
Sticking to New Year’s resolutions requires determination and energy, especially on days when staying active feels challenging.
Having a blood test to assess energy function can be beneficial, as it helps identify any vitamin or mineral deficiencies that may affect energy levels. Employees can then seek appropriate treatment to address these deficiencies and maintain optimal energy levels.
Immune health
Body’s immune health has the ability to fight off infections and keep induvial healthy. This means making sure it’s working correctly can be vital for employees reaching their health and fitness goals.
At Bluecrest, we offer an immune system health check that helps assess employees white blood cell count and platelet count to offer insights into thier immune health.
Why is knowing more about health key to employees achieving their health and fitness goals?
Now that we’ve shared the types of health insights our health assessments can provide, it’s important for employees to understand why these insights are vital to keeping their New Year’s health and fitness goals on track.
Some of the key benefits of knowing more about their own health include:
1. Awareness of Existing Health Conditions
Understanding existing health conditions ensures employees can adapt their health and fitness goals accordingly. Being informed allows them to set realistic expectations and make informed decisions about how to achieve their goals safely.
2. Identifying Underlying Issues
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or underlying conditions such as a weakened immune system can impact the ability to achieve certain health targets. Gaining insights into these factors early allows employees to take action, whether that means seeking treatment or adjusting their goals to account for these challenges.
3. Providing Baseline Readings
A health assessment provides employees with baseline measurements that are crucial for setting achievable targets, whether they aim to lose weight, lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, or improve overall well-being. These initial readings offer a solid foundation for tracking progress.
4. Tracking Progress Effectively
Key health metrics like cholesterol levels and blood pressure can be recorded and tracked over time. This enables employees to monitor their progress and stay motivated as they see tangible results of their efforts.
5. Ensuring Safe Goal Setting
While improvements in health and well-being are always positive, employees with existing health conditions should consult their GP to ensure their goals are safe and appropriate. Insights from a health assessment can facilitate this conversation by providing clear, objective data.
By encouraging employees to get a health assessment, businesses can help ensure that health and fitness goals are achievable, safe, and aligned with their unique health needs. This proactive approach supports long-term success and well-being.
Top tips to help your employees stay on track on their health and fitness goals this new year
As a business, supporting your employees in achieving their New Year health and fitness goals is crucial for their wellbeing and overall productivity. Here are some practical tips to help your employees stay on track:
1. Set SMART Goals
Encourage employees to set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. For instance, instead of a broad goal like "losing weight," they could set a more specific target, such as "losing four pounds by the end of January." SMART goals provide clear direction and focus.
2. Break Goals into Smaller, More Achievable Steps
Instead of expecting employees to completely overhaul their lifestyle, suggest they start with small, manageable changes. For example, if their goal is to eat healthier, they can begin by making one or two simple changes, such as swapping snacks like crisps or biscuits for fruit or vegetables. These small steps are often easier to maintain than drastic changes all at once.
3. Share Goals with Friends or Family
Support your employees by encouraging them to share their health and fitness goals with friends or family. This accountability can keep them motivated and help them stay committed to their resolutions.
4. Stay Flexible
Remind employees that life doesn’t always go according to plan, and it's important to stay flexible. Unexpected events happen, so it’s essential to adapt and adjust their goals when necessary, ensuring they remain on track despite any setbacks.
5. Track Progress
Tracking progress is a powerful motivator. Employees can monitor their progress by recording weight loss, fitness levels, heart rate, or even taking pictures to see physical changes. Encourage them to book follow-up health assessments to track any improvements in their overall health. Tracking helps maintain focus and gives employees a sense of accomplishment along the way.
