“The Future of Wellness at Work,” a new study that will be released by the Global Wellness Institute later this month, examines the state of wellness of the global workforce, predicts what the future of work will look like and makes the case for why wellness matters.

The study looks at how ageing populations, urbanisation and unhealthy lifestyles are all driving a global rise in chronic disease, and how work is often a part of this problem.

It also looks at how work can also create mental and emotional distress, which can lead to a negative work/life balance as well as physical illness.

Because employers are becoming aware of these problems, they are increasing spending on workplace wellness, creating related business opportunities. Still, this is just the tip of the iceberg – the Global Wellness Institute estimates that less than 9 per cent of the world’s workers have access to workplace wellness programmes.

The Global Wellness Institute also predicts that as more of our tasks are replaced by computers and machines, unique human qualities, such as creativity, innovation, perception, intuition and empathy will need to be harnessed – and that people will need to be in a heightened state of wellness in order to bring these qualities to work.

For spas, the study suggests that opportunities lie ahead in helping bring workplace wellness to employers through body work, assessments, counselling, classes and getaways – and spas are in a unique position to educate organisations about workplace wellness.

To read more about the Global Wellness Institute’s report on “The Future of Wellness at Work,” see Spa Business Q1 2016, available online now.