It is said: ‘Good health is a means to an end, not an end in itself'.

Wellness is about both the means to good health and about the ends of good health. It can be seen both as a person's health at any ‘moment in time' and as a ‘direction towards' (or away from) healthiness.

This apparent paradox is why, for example, a wheelchair-bound person can be heading towards the attainment of health, while an apparently fit athlete could be heading towards a premature death.

People are complex beings, and any Wellness information needs to recognise and address this. Changes in behaviour are often difficult for individuals to initiate and maintain. (For example, stopping smoking.) Much research has been done to determine the most effective ways of assisting people who want to live healthily, and then do something about it. Some of the most effective approaches of achieving this include presenting health information in a motivational and inspirational way, and changes in behaviour as being achievable.

Repeated exposure to relevant health messages and reinforcement of them is also often necessary for behaviour change to take place and this is why ‘once-off' un-sustained health education endeavours are often so glaringly unsuccessful. Some sources have estimated that it may take as many as 21 exposures to a particular health message before people may even think of changing their behaviour.

As the means begin to take effect, the ends become more apparent. Many of these ends have positive repercussions in the workplace. Improved motivation, increased productivity, and a sense of being ‘cared for' by one's employer are all significant by-products of properly instituted ‘Wellness in the workplace' programmes.

Wellness awareness programmes emphasise self-care alongside responsible use of medical services, as well as incorporating aspects of healthy living, and improving one's overall health.

Rigorous analysis of programmes in the USA has shown that there is a definite cost-benefit to Wellness in the workplace programmes. The savings in medical expenses, time lost, employee morale (and productivity) have been estimated at an average of $3.50 for every $1.00 investment per employee. (In one large corporation where a particularly strong endorsement of Wellness programmes from management took place, the ratio was a staggering $10.00 saving per $1.00 investment per employee.)