What is included in an employee wellness plan?

An employee wellness plan typically includes preventive health checkups, mental health counseling, fitness memberships, stress management programs, and nutrition guidance.

Do employee wellness plans cover mental health?

Yes, most modern wellness plans include mental health support such as therapy sessions, counseling, and stress management workshops.

Are fitness programs part of workplace wellness benefits?

Yes, many companies include gym memberships, yoga classes, and fitness challenges to promote employee health.

Do wellness plans include nutrition guidance?

Yes, nutrition counseling, healthy eating workshops, and meal planning support are often part of corporate wellness benefits.

How do employee wellness programs improve productivity?

Wellness programs reduce sick days, lower stress, and improve employee morale, leading to better productivity and overall workplace satisfaction.

Call
+918447748545

Published on: Aug 11, 2025
2 minute read
By: Secondmedic Expert

What Is Covered In Employee Wellness Plans?

Book Now

Employee wellness plans are no longer just a perk; they are a necessity in today’s fast-paced corporate environment. With increasing stress levels, sedentary lifestyles, and growing awareness about mental health, organizations are investing in structured wellness programs to support their workforce. But what exactly do these plans include, and why are they so valuable?

Here’s a detailed look at the components most employee wellness plans cover.

1. Preventive Health Screenings

A cornerstone of most wellness plans is preventive care. This includes periodic health check-ups, screenings for common conditions, and vaccinations.

Common inclusions:

Annual health check-ups (blood tests, blood pressure monitoring, BMI checks)
Cancer screenings (e.g., mammograms, prostate exams)
Diabetes and cholesterol testing
Eye and dental exams

These screenings help detect issues early, reducing long-term treatment costs and improving employee productivity.

2. Fitness and Physical Activity Programs

Many companies offer gym memberships, yoga sessions, or on-site fitness classes to encourage physical activity. Some also provide subsidies for home fitness equipment or access to wellness apps.

Benefits:

Reduces lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension
Improves energy and focus during work hours
Encourages team bonding through group activities

3. Mental Health Support

Mental well-being is now a priority in wellness plans, recognizing that stress, anxiety, and burnout directly impact performance.

Coverage can include:

Access to licensed therapists or counselors
Stress management workshops
Meditation and mindfulness programs
Employee assistance programs (EAPs) offering confidential support

4. Nutrition and Healthy Eating Initiatives

Wellness programs often provide resources and incentives for healthy eating. This could mean offering balanced meals at the workplace or hosting nutrition workshops.

Examples:

Dietitian consultations
Healthy cafeteria menus
Meal planning and cooking classes
Nutritional challenges (e.g., “Eat 5 fruits a day” campaigns)

5. Work-Life Balance Support

Flexible work arrangements are becoming part of wellness benefits. These help employees maintain personal well-being while meeting work commitments.

Common measures:

Remote or hybrid work options
Flexible hours
Paid family and sick leave
On-site childcare services

6. Financial Wellness Programs

Money-related stress can harm mental and physical health. To address this, wellness plans may include financial literacy resources.

Possible offerings:

Workshops on budgeting and investments
Retirement planning assistance
Access to financial advisors
Debt management programs

7. Chronic Condition Management

For employees living with ongoing health conditions, some wellness plans provide targeted support.

Support can include:

Disease management programs (diabetes, asthma, heart disease)
Regular check-ins with healthcare providers
Medication reminders and monitoring tools

8. Incentives and Rewards

To keep participation high, many companies introduce reward systems for employees who actively engage in wellness programs.

Examples:

Gift cards or vouchers
Extra paid leave days
Health insurance premium discounts
Recognition programs for wellness champions

Why These Plans Matter

Employee wellness plans benefit both employees and employers. Healthy employees take fewer sick days, are more engaged, and bring higher productivity. For employers, the return on investment comes in the form of reduced healthcare costs, better retention rates, and a stronger company culture.

Conclusion

An effective employee wellness plan goes beyond occasional health talks — it integrates physical health, mental well-being, nutrition, financial stability, and lifestyle support. If your organization offers one, make full use of it. And if it doesn’t, advocating for a wellness program could be one of the best investments in your long-term health and career.

Book Now

Read FAQs

A. An employee wellness plan is a workplace initiative designed to improve staff health, wellbeing, and productivity through programs like fitness sessions, mental health support, and preventive care.

A. Wellness plans reduce absenteeism, improve employee morale, and enhance productivity while lowering healthcare costs.

A. Common benefits include gym memberships, mental health counseling, stress management workshops, and regular health check-ups.

A. Yes, even small businesses can benefit by boosting employee satisfaction and retention through affordable wellness activities.

A. Employees can join by enrolling in company-provided programs, attending workshops, and making use of offered health resources.

Read Blog

Virtual Cooking Class with Dietitian: A New Era of Healthy Eating in India

Healthy eating has become a top priority for individuals across India. With rising lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and PCOS, food decisions now play a critical role in preventive healthcare. However, most people struggle with questions like what to cook, how to modify recipes, and how to balance nutrition with traditional Indian meals.

Virtual cooking classes with dietitians are transforming how Indians learn about food. They combine practical kitchen skills with scientific nutrition knowledge-something traditional cooking tutorials cannot offer. SecondMedic integrates expert dietitians, AI-driven nutrition analysis and preventive health frameworks to support individuals in building lifelong healthy eating habits.

This blog explores how virtual cooking classes work, why they matter and how they support long-term health.

Why India Needs Dietitian-Led Cooking Classes

Rising Lifestyle Diseases

The ICMR Nutrition and Metabolic Health Study reports alarming trends:

Over 100 million diabetic individuals
High prevalence of fatty liver
Vitamin deficiencies in large sections of the population
Increasing PCOS, thyroid disorders and obesity

Many of these conditions are strongly influenced by diet.

Lack of Nutrition Awareness

NFHS-5 highlights low dietary diversity among Indian households. People often overconsume oil, sugar and refined grains without realising the long-term impact.

Busy Lifestyles

Urban professionals struggle to plan meals due to:

Time constraints
Lack of structured nutrition knowledge
Dependence on takeaways and packaged food

Virtual cooking sessions solve these problems by offering guided, practical learning directly from home.

What Happens in a Virtual Cooking Class?

A SecondMedic virtual cooking class includes:

1. Live Demonstrations

Dietitians prepare recipes step-by-step while explaining:

Nutrient functions
Health benefits
Cooking techniques
Smart portion strategies

2. Ingredient Education

Participants learn about:

Low-GI alternatives
High-fibre grains
Clean protein sources
Anti-inflammatory spices
Healthy fats

3. Meal Planning Guidance

Classes often include weekly planning tips to simplify daily decisions.

4. Nutrient Breakdown

AI-based tools analyse the recipe’s:

Sugar load
Sodium balance
Protein density
Vitamin & mineral profile

5. Condition-Specific Variations

Recipes can be adapted for:

Diabetes
PCOS
Thyroid health
Heart health
Weight loss

This ensures suitability across lifestyles.

Benefits of Virtual Cooking Classes

1. Practical, Hands-On Learning

Participants cook alongside the dietitian, making learning interactive and easy to remember.

2. Prevention-Focused

Unlike regular cooking tutorials, these sessions emphasise preventive eating patterns recommended by WHO and NITI Aayog.

3. Customisable for Families

Healthy recipes become household-friendly, improving community nutrition.

4. Convenient and Accessible

Join from anywhere without travel or scheduling challenges.

5. Increases Long-Term Adherence

When people understand why a recipe is healthy, they adopt it more consistently.

Example Recipe Taught in Class

Vegetable Khichdi (Diabetes-Friendly Version):

Moong dal for high protein
Mixed vegetables for fibre
Minimal ghee
Brown rice/millet for lower GI
Turmeric + cumin for anti-inflammatory benefit

SecondMedic’s AI engine evaluates glycaemic impact and micronutrient density.

Integrating Virtual Cooking With Preventive Care

SecondMedic combines cooking classes with:

Teleconsultations
Diet assessments
AI nutrition scores
Weight and glucose monitoring
Lifestyle coaching

This creates a unified ecosystem for long-term behaviour change.

Conclusion

Virtual cooking classes with dietitians empower individuals to transform their daily meals into preventive healthcare tools. By teaching practical skills, nutrition fundamentals and personalised recipe adjustments, these classes make healthy eating accessible, enjoyable and sustainable.

SecondMedic is redefining preventive nutrition by blending expert guidance with digital interactivity and AI insights-helping people cook better, eat smarter and live healthier.

References

• ICMR Nutrition & Metabolic Health Study - Dietary Impact on Chronic Diseases
• National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• NITI Aayog - Preventive Healthcare & Nutrition Strategy for India
• WHO Healthy Eating & Non-Communicable Disease Guidelines
• Lancet Public Health - Effectiveness of Lifestyle Interventions
• Statista India Digital Health & Online Learning Trends
• EY-FICCI Digital Nutrition & Virtual Wellness Report

Request A Callback

+91

By using this website/app, I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Declaration.