New Year, New Goals:
How corporate wellness programs can help turn resolutions into results

February 2025
Every January, gyms across Ontario fill up with newcomers determined to chart a new future for their health and wellness. Whether it’s building strength, improving cardio or simply living a healthier life, the start of a new year inevitably ushers in ambitious goals in the name of resolutions.
By February – the gyms have fewer newcomers. While each resolution-setter may start the year with boundless motivation, the truth is new year’s resolutions tend not to stick. In fact, studies show that 75 per cent of new year’s resolutions are abandoned by February, as the dreariness of winter settles in and people realize the goals they set were too lofty or restrictive.
This realization according to Dr. Emily Danson, is where employers can step in to support. Dr. Danson, a chiropractor and corporate wellness expert based out of Mississauga, has helped companies across Ontario develop and implement corporate wellness programs. Dr. Danson says corporate programs that promote healthy and sustainable lifestyles align the goals of their employees with employer benefits. In fact, incorporating corporate wellness programs often has tangible benefits for companies in the form of more motivated staff and reduced absenteeism, which ultimately boosts the bottom line.
“What we see is that the better the health care options are that are available to employees, the more productive they are at work,” says Dr. Danson, who also serves as the director of corporate wellness at High Point Wellness Centre. “Employers benefit from increased attendance, retention and employee satisfaction, while employees get access to tools that prioritizing their health and well-being all year long for a consistent approach.”

What are corporate wellness programs?

Dr. Danson says corporate wellness programs go far beyond regular employment perks. She says they include tools to empower employees, while positively impacting the company’s performance. These can come in various forms, including personalized wellness plans, mental health care supports and smart workplace designs that optimize employees’ posture and overall work environment.
“With changing workplace dynamics, companies are focusing on flexible, supportive environments to enhance satisfaction, productivity and retention,” says Dr. Danson.

How they create sustainable habits

As February is set to get underway, many people have struggled to maintain their new year’s goals or abandoned them altogether, Dr. Danson says corporate wellness programs can help resolution-setters stay consistent by bridging the gap between an employee’s professional life and their health goals. This includes:
  • Team-oriented fitness challenges, like step competitions or walk/bike to work incentives
  • Mindfulness programs, like yoga or meditation workshops
  • Nutrition guidance, like healthy snack options on site or nutrition counseling]
“These programs, once they’re embedded within a workplace, ensure employees’ wellness goals don’t take a back seat after the start of the year,” says Dr. Danson. “They’re working on their goals holistically and when they come into work they have the encouragement from their employer that further drives their motivation.”

The business case for wellness

While corporate wellness programs benefit employees, they also offer significant advantages to employers. A study from the CDC found that for every $1 spent on wellness programs, there is a return of $3.27 in reduced health care costs. Additionally, studies have found that wellness programs have led to a 25 per cent increase in productivity and a 28 per cent decrease in absenteeism.

2025: The Year of Wellness

As we move into February, Dr. Danson is confident that corporate wellness programs remain a win-win strategy for both employees and employers. Resolutions are easier to keep when you have a strong support system, so as 2025 continues, Dr. Danson encourages all employers to look into programs that not only support their people, but simultaneously boost their bottom line.
“By providing the tools and resources to help employees succeed in achieving their health and wellness goals, businesses can create a workplace culture that values well-being, drives productivity and fosters long-term growth,” says Dr. Danson.