Outlook Impacts Choice

Choice is the first step toward improving your well-being. Before we can achieve positive changes in any area of our lives, we must first choose to do so. Conscious decision-making is key to experiencing the positive impact of good choices. Every day, often numerous times a day, you exercise the power of choice. Today, use that power to make one small change that will lead to long-term positive results.

This very truth is what our CH Coaches are currently promoting to their co-workers and patients as many employees are competing in Takoma's Biggest Loser Competition. They are encouraging people to commit to making healthier choices in 2017 while simultaneously supporting those who are competing in the contest for cash prizes. All departments have been challenged to make one small change to help create a healthier work environment. For example, making available in their units fruit, nuts and bottled water instead of candy, cookies and soda. Or implementing a 10 minute walking break for employees every hour, or a lunch walking group. What could YOU do to promote better health and wellness in your place of work?

As I make my hospital rounds, I have been so pleased to see some of the creative displays that have been made apart of these healthy workplaces. I just fell in love with this colorful bulletin board the first time I saw it. I had to snap a picture because the bright colors jump out at you and everything about it screams Creation Health. It is located on the 3rd floor, just outside the employee break room. At the top it reads "Shout Out To You For All That You Do" and employees are encouraged to fill out a sticky note with praise for a fellow co-worker and then hang it on the board. Did you know it is a proven fact that people who have an optimistic outlook, a positive attitude are more likely to make better choices which lead to improved health and well-being? What a great way to foster optimism in the work place!

This is another fantastic display which hangs in our OB unit just outside the employee break room, to encourage people to set healthy goals for 2017. It tells them how to set goals, as well as what kind of goals to set. I love how it ties in scripture. Such a detailed, well thought out display that will truly impact lives for the better!

I am so excited to have a great group of coaches on board this year, promoting CH inside the hospital walls and out in the community with me, encouraging people on their wellness journeys. Hopefully some of these ideas will help you think of ways to promote health and wellness where you work, as we are all on this journey together!

About the Author: Erin Franklin is the Creation Health Coordinator for Greene County, the Head Volleyball Coach at Greeneville High School and the Founder/Director at Worthy of the Prize Sports Ministries. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization, and her ebook find joy in the journey: how 12 women could face tomorrow just because He lives for inspiring stories of women who found overwhelming joy despite their circumstances. Erin is the wife of Aaron, the Minister of Music & Senior Adults at FBC Greeneville, and the momma of 2 sons, Anderson and EJ. Click here for full bio.