Training Industry Magazine - Summer 2024 - 36

how long you have worked at the
company exercise (e.g., what is your
favorite fruit, favorite place to walk, or
other relaxation tips).
* Class guidelines: Be clear that it is a
" screens down " environment and that
the learner's full attention is needed.
Creating a focused environment
can help clear thoughts and help
employees be more open to learning.
* Positive reinforcement: Incorporate
the employees in positive
reinforcement of each other's
progress. Ask each participant to
write a note of congratulations or
encouragement on index cards at
the start of the class. Throughout
the training, empower learners to
give index cards to peers when
they get the correct answer, learn
something new or add comments to
the discussion. If a class is online,
ask people to write down one of
the phrases, and when they get
a question right later, call on the
person to read their note or use chat
functions to show support.
INCORPORATE WELLNESS
ELEMENTS INTO CLASS BREAKS
As wellness is holistic, it should be
incorporated into training experiences.
Within training, consider these options:
* During breaks, replace the " check
your email " message with " Let's take
two minutes to reflect quietly and
collect our thoughts. "
* Leverage office locations for breaks,
including a walk around the building
or outside.
* Begin the class after lunch with two
examples of desk stretches that
employees can take back and use
daily.
* Use " bio breaks " to encourage
drinking water. For the online class, ask
everyone to show their fun mug or bottle
on camera.
INCLUDE WELLNESS IN TRAINING
WRAP-UP
Learning is like wellness: It is achieved
through an active, continuous mindset.
36
Workplace wellness is critical to the
workforce - and corporate trainers
can use their position of influence to
incorporate concepts into the training
catalog and training best practices.
PRIORITIZE THE WELLNESS OF
THE TRAINERS
Trainers and training managers are
employees, too, with all the challenges
and stresses of the workforce.
Incorporate
Include wellness in your training wrapup
and post-class communications.
For example:
* When you go around the class, ask
each employee what they learned
about wellness that day.
* Incorporate wellness resources
and tips in the post-training
communication, key points and
learning resources.
* After class, send learning points and
include tips for adding wellness into
your workday.
programs and within your trainer team
culture:
* Design trainer manuals and guides to
include reminders for drinking water,
doing desk stretches and taking breaks
from staring at a monitor.
* Provide wellness training for trainers
that includes breathing exercises,
meditation techniques and stress
management.
* Include wellness moments in trainer
team
meetings
and, if
include walks or meetings in different
areas outside the training classrooms
for variety.
* Ask how the trainer is doing! Knowing
others care about you is critical to
achieving wellness.
L&D's ability to create a productive learning
environment and to be high-energy and
engaging for employee classes is directly
impacted by their wellness.
WELLNESS IS HOLISTIC AND THE
APPROACH MUST BE AS WELL
Incorporating wellness practices and
tips in training should be one part of a
holistic approach to company culture
and wellness. To realize all the benefits
of a workplace wellness program, there
must be supported policies, engaged
leadership and ongoing programming
communication with the workforce.
Wellness should be baked into each step of
the employee experience - recruitment,
onboarding, training, mentoring and
job performance.
CONCLUSION
Corporate trainers are uniquely positioned
to directly contribute to employee
wellness. A better understanding of
employee wellness tips, resources and
practices can be an incredible resource
across the training catalog and offerings
to benefit all.
wellness practices to
support trainers in train-the-trainer
Megan Bell's career journey includes
leadership roles in business operations,
corporate training, higher education and
creative agency settings. She blends
creative storytelling, project management
skills and problem-solving to meet
business goals while fostering an inclusive
work environment. Email Megan.
possible,
Training Industry Magazine - Summer 2024

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