June 21 is National Wellness Day

Did you know that 9 of the 10 leading causes of death in the Philippines are health related? And did you also know that just by eating better, making small lifestyle changes and doing moderate activity on most days of the week, we can reduce the risk of many diseases and increase our quality of life?

The People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) is advocating health and wellness in the workplace as one of the most important issues that companies need to address today. With this, PMAP will hold a nationwide event called National Wellness Day that  is envisioned to be participated by various companies in the country, both PMAP and non-PMAP members, on June 21, 2013.

During a media roundtable interview recently, PMAP President Evelyn Grace C. Sorongon said that through the years, the organization have organized employee activities like sports fests, family day events and the likes for its member companies. “This time, we want to come up with an activity that will help promote awareness among employers and employees about the importance of being physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy.“ 

PMAP also presented a suggested program format that companies can use as a guide for a half-day event that they can organize in their respective workplaces. It includes company-sponsored healthy lunch and snack; learning sessions on work-life balance, holistic and spirituality; and the 7-Minute PMAP Wellness Moment, a quick wellness activity that involves stretching and meditation to be done simultaneously across the nation by employees at exactly 3:00 pm on June 21.

The wellness moment involves the following activities: (a) 2-minute stretching/ self-massage, (b) 2-minute of silence (to pray or meditate), (c) minute dance/ jog in place/ jump or hop and (d) 1-minute clapping/ laughing or handshakes with colleagues.

Companies who will join in the event are encouraged to document their participation through videos and/ or photos and send a copy to the PMAP Secretariat to be included in the list of companies who will be recognized with a workplace wellness certificate during a PMAP event.

Furthermore, on October 2013, PMAP will hold a fun run at CCP Grounds, Pasay City as the culminating event of the organization’s efforts in promoting workplace wellness this year. Aside from targeting more than 1,500 participants in the fun run, the event also aims to provide a venue for different organizations to showcase their respective wellness initiatives.  

 “We encourage all our members to participate in this worthy activity likewise to discuss to your employees our advocacy on how to stay fit and become more productive members of our society,” Sorongon added.

For queries regarding the event, interested parties can contact Ms. Agnes Junio of PMAP through tel. no. 726-1532 loc. 306 or email agnes.junio@pmap.org,ph. Details are also posted on www.pmap.org.ph.