- Experts have argued that corporate wellness needs to go beyond perks, with mental wellbeing having a greater impact than gym memberships.
- Being ‘always on’ isn’t sustainable, as blurred work-life boundaries can lead to chronic stress, fatigue, poor mental health and reduced productivity.
- True wellbeing starts with the mind, and workplaces should prioritise mental opportunities for reflection to help employees thrive, not just perform.
Corporate wellness has long been associated with gym memberships, wellness days, meditation apps and the occasional healthy lunch. While these perks have become commonplace in many workplaces, are they really improving employee wellbeing in a meaningful way?
According to Dr Sundeep Ruder, wellness expert at The Hyding, many organisations are focusing on the symptoms of workplace stress rather than addressing its root causes.
More than just perks
Corporate wellness programmes have traditionally centred around incentives that encourage healthier lifestyles. Think subsidised gym memberships, mindfulness sessions, fitness challenges and step-count competitions.
While these initiatives can provide short-term benefits, Dr Sundeep believes they often fail to create lasting change.
“People quickly adapt to incentives,” he explains. “They may offer temporary motivation, but they don’t address the deeper reasons why employees feel exhausted, disengaged or burnt out.”
Instead of measuring success purely by productivity or participation in wellness initiatives, Dr Sundeep believes companies should also ask whether employees feel energised, fulfilled and connected to a greater sense of purpose.
“When people feel their work has meaning and aligns with their values, they tend to perform better and experience greater wellbeing,” he says.
Have we normalised being ‘always on’?
With hybrid work, smartphones and constant connectivity, switching off has become increasingly difficult.
Many employees now feel pressure to answer emails after hours, be available on weekends or remain connected to work at all times.
According to Dr Sundeep, this way of working is neither healthy nor sustainable.
“No one can remain constantly available without it eventually affecting their wellbeing,” he says.
Just as sleep allows the body and mind to recover, our waking hours also need moments of rest, reflection and mental reset. Without those opportunities, stress becomes chronic instead of occasional.
When does high performance become unhealthy?
Being busy doesn’t always mean you’re thriving. Dr Sundeep says one of the clearest signs that work has become unhealthy is when it consistently leaves you feeling drained instead of fulfilled.
“If your work isn’t bringing you greater peace or energy, you’ve likely crossed into chronic strain,” he explains.
Physical warning signs can include persistent fatigue, poor sleep, weight gain, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar or cholesterol, and ongoing aches and pains.
Emotionally, chronic strain may present as irritability, a lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating and an increased reliance on quick dopamine fixes such as junk food, alcohol, cigarettes or excessive social media use.
Relationships outside of work may also begin to suffer.
Why are we always busy but rarely productive?
Many professionals describe feeling overwhelmed despite accomplishing very little. According to Dr Sundeep, the problem isn’t always a lack of time; it’s mental overload.
“Our minds are often preoccupied with worrying about the past or anticipating the future,” he says. “That makes it harder to stay present and focused on the task at hand.”
He believes strengthening mental discipline and improving our ability to concentrate are essential for boosting both productivity and overall wellbeing.
Can you really ‘hack’ your wellbeing?
From wearable fitness trackers to supplements and wellness trends, people are spending more than ever trying to optimise their health.
While these tools have their place, Dr Sundeep warns against relying on quick fixes.
“They can provide useful information or help address immediate concerns, but they don’t solve the underlying causes of exhaustion,” he says.
He also cautions that becoming overly focused on wellness metrics, whether it’s step counts, sleep scores or calorie targets, can unintentionally create additional stress and anxiety.
“Wellness shouldn’t become another performance metric.”
So what should workplaces focus on instead?
If organisations could implement just one meaningful change, Dr Sundeep believes it should be to invest in employees’ mental wellbeing rather than relying solely on physical wellness initiatives.
While physical health remains important, lasting wellbeing begins with strengthening the mind and creating environments where people can think clearly, learn continuously and establish healthy boundaries.
For Dr Sundeep, truly effective corporate wellness isn’t about squeezing more productivity out of employees.
“It’s about creating workplaces where people can perform well, recover properly and find genuine purpose in what they do.”
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