STAGE II—Thinking About It. Weighing the Pros & Cons
STAGE IV—Taking Action. I’m Doing It!
Wellness is being aware of and actively working toward better health. Wellness is not only being educated about one’s health, but also “actively working” to improve health. Wellness includes all health aspects; physical, mental, social, financial, emotional and spiritual health . Worksite Wellness is an organized program that helps employees and their family members make voluntary changes to improve their health and well-being.
This tool is separated into five sections that correspond with the Stages of Change. Behavior change is difficult. People and businesses tend to progress through stages on their way to successful change at their own rate. The Stages of Change Model (SCM) describes behavior change as a continuum; not something that happens all at once. People can be at different stages when it comes to behavior changes such as weight loss, quitting smoking, or increasing physical activity. Understanding the different Stages of Change that individuals may be in can help with worksite wellness program development. Each person must decide for themselves when a stage is completed and when they are ready to make a change. Most importantly, this decision must be sincere -- stable, long term change cannot be externally imposed. A good wellness program that is targeting behavior change should address each stage.