Before you go and point the work-stress-finger at your workload, know this: It’s your complete work environment — social support, climate and the amount of work, whether you overloaded or under loaded that is linked to an increased risk of diabetes. Luckily, you can do something to change the health fate of your office space. Strong social support in the workplace was found to act as a protective factor against developing diabetes. And the outcome rests as much with employees as with employers. More on Prevention: The Nasty New Workplace Epidemic “Creating a good work climate is a responsibility for everyone,” says Judd Allen, president of the Human Resources Institute, which studies community psychology in the workplace and how it affects worker health. “And coworkers play an important role. It’s not just a management decision.” Three factors determine whether your work environment can foster better health, according to Allen. “Where these climate factors are noticeably present, people tend to be able to handle, say heavier workloads, and deal with challenges that come up. And where they are visibly absent then almost any stress becomes overwhelming,” he says. Do these three things to help make your workplace a healthy haven. Create a sense of community. It’s not enough to know the names of your coworkers and their work duties. “A community is where people know each other and trust each other and feel like they belong and look forward to a future together,” says Allen. Sharing personal goals and personal struggles opens a door to receiving help as well as being able to provide it. For example, coworkers can motivate each other to achieve healthy lifestyle goals, such as losing weight, or provide support when facing family crises. Join in a shared vision. Coworkers need to feel their work matters, and that what they do is going toward something important to you and everyone else. Work goals and accomplishments shouldn’t be seen as private, but integrated into the organizational climate, says Allen, author of Wellness Leadership. Maintain a positive outlook. Have fun together. Focus on each other’s strengths. When setting team goals, think about ways you want to celebrate, and then take part in the celebration. Avoid being negative, which undermines both the sense of community and shared vision. “The negative side is really more common,” says Allen. “Coworkers can build community but they can also tear community down.” By being the instigator of workplace climate change, you will make your days a little bit healthier and happier. Start this week. More on Prevention: 4 Steps to a Healthier Workday
