Skip to main content

Weather Alert

Hurricane activity is severely impacting Quest locations across the Southeast. We ask that patients please double check your appointment status to ensure your designated Patient Service Center is operational.

Hide

Helping employees manage their health during the pandemic

Did you set health goals at the beginning of the last year? I bet you didn’t anticipate 2020 or 2021 going the way it has. It’s likely your goals, as well as your employees' goals, may need some adjusting. Here are some tips you can share with your employees to help them get back to care.

Find the "why"

If you’re going to revisit the health goals you set, the first thing to do is think about what made you set them in the first place. Why do you want to be healthier? Think about those reasons, and even write them down if that’s helpful.

Consider the situation

Now, look at your goals (or just think about them if they’re not written down—but writing down goals helps you follow through, so write them down this time!). Are they realistic and attainable? Think about your life right now, not about the future or how you hope things will be soon. For example, if going to the gym 3 times a week was your goal, you may want to change that, but keep it just as specific. Maybe you change it to walk for 30 minutes 3 times a week or do YouTube or video workouts 3 times a week.

Break them down

Once you’ve updated your goals to make them fit the current situation, break them down into smaller steps. Decide what you need to do weekly, or maybe even daily, in order to accomplish your goals.2 Put your workouts on your calendar, or track your water intake daily, whatever it is you need to do to get closer to your goal.

Consider an accountability partner

If working out in groups has always been helpful to you, find an accountability partner who shares a similar health goal. You can check in with each other regularly to help each other stay motivated and on track. Ask friends, or even share on your social media—chances are there is someone with a similar goal who needs the motivation as much as you do.

Give yourself grace

Finally, and most importantly, give yourself grace. Remember, we are in a global pandemic. Yes, it’s important not to completely neglect your health, but if you need to take it slow right now, that’s okay. Some days you may feel motivated and full of energy, while other days exercise and healthy eating may be more challenging. That is normal, and the more you’re able to accept that range of emotions, the better you will feel.

It's time to get back to care

During the pandemic, there was an estimated 70% decrease in doctor's visits.3 This delayed care can lead to deferred diagnoses and treatment, which can negatively impact long-term health. 

Employees recognize the need to focus on their health. In fact, 2 in 5 Americans are concerned that they may have an undiagnosed health condition.

Even during the pandemic, employers can help employees get back to care by offering at-home collections for wellness screenings and virtual care solutions to connect employees to convenient, quality care. 

See how Quest can help you get your employees back to care. 

Contact us

Sources:

1. American Heart Association. Get real about getting active. February 2, 2017. Accessed June 1, 2020.

2. Mayo Clinic. 3 ways to get closer to achieving your goals. November 30, 2016. Accessed June 1, 2020.

3. Shifts in Healthcare demand, delivery and care during the COVID-19 era. IQVIA Institute. April 2020. Accessed August 6, 2020. https://www.iqvia.com/insights/the-iqvia-institute/covid-19/shifts-in-healthcare-demand-delivery-and-care-during-the-covid-19-era

4. Data is from a survey conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Quest Diagnostics between November 10-12, 2020 among 2,050 US adults age 18+. To learn more, visit Newsroom.QuestDiagnostics.com or contact MediaContact@QuestDiagnostics.com.

Learn more about employer population health solutions from Quest

Contact us