VOL. 07  |  ISSUE 2  |  June 2024

Just as education and training, certifications and technical expertise are necessary for a successful, sustainable career, so too is caring for one’s physical and mental well-being.

More than ever, said Dr. Richard Vinroot, Vice President and Global Medical Director, health and wellness are a critical component of a fulfilling career – and a balanced life. In this first Doc Talk, Vinroot discusses why it is so important for employees to tend to their personal needs and some tips for getting started.

This feature was your idea. Why is it so important for you to connect with employees about health and wellness?

It’s my duty, and it’s our duty as a company to make sure we help make employees’ lives better. The way I can help make their lives better is to promote wellness. It’s my responsibility as the company’s doctor to ensure we remind folks over and over that we do care about more than just their ability to do their jobs.

What does wellness mean to you?

The definition of wellness is different for everybody. For me it would be exercise, a good diet and avoiding toxins such as tobacco. Wellness evolves from your ability to do things that are positive and leads to happiness and leads to more enjoyment with your job, more enjoyment with your family and more enjoyment with your day-to-day living. For some people, wellness means financial wellness. For some people, wellness means losing weight. For some people, wellness means exercising more. Everyone’s definition of wellness is different, and it’s up to us as a company to understand that.

Perhaps there is someone reading this Q&A who hasn’t tended to their own physical and mental health because of work priorities, family obligations or other personal challenges. How can they get started taking better care of their overall health?

There are some easy things that anyone can do on a day-to-day basis. You can focus on a healthier diet that’s lower in fats, lower in fried foods and focuses more on fiber, fruits and vegetables. Portion size also is important; so is avoiding sugary drinks and an excessive amount of alcohol.

Exercise is really important. Yes, it’s hard to go to work all day for a 12-hour shift, then come home and exercise. On your days off, you can focus on exercise. You can go for a brisk walk. You can do things that help increase your heart rate and increase your stamina. Avoiding tobacco products – cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and vaping – also is important.

Looking at mental health, financial troubles can lead to depression, loss of sleep, poor eating and other self-destructive behavior. If someone is struggling in this area, I suggest working with a debt counselor or another professional resource. I also highly encourage education – reading more, documentaries and podcasts. Learning is important for mental health.

Need help getting started?

Spring Health, the company’s employee assistance program, is available with resources and support anytime at 1-855-629-0554 or fmi.springhealth.com.
If prompted, use code: Freeport.

The actions someone can take to enhance their health and wellness seem straightforward. Why do you believe so many people neglect their own wellness?

It’s easy to get fast food. It’s easy to go to the place where the food is already cooked for you, and oftentimes it’s made with poor ingredients. It’s usually cheaper, and it tastes good. Many people aren’t serious about their finances and have a car payment that’s more than you should have. People avoid looking at checkbooks because they are afraid of what’s in there.

In America, things are easy. Most people can afford cigarettes, most people can afford going out for fast food. In other countries, you can’t always do that. It’s not fun to start exercising if you haven’t exercised in several years. Americans want a quick fix. There is not a quick fix for these things.

What do you do to take care of your overall health?

I’m lucky. I was an athlete in high school, so I always thought it was important to exercise. My whole life I’ve been a runner. As I’ve gotten older, I don’t run as far, but I run twice a day. In the morning, I get up and go for a run/walk for about 30 minutes, and I do the same thing in the evenings. I would love to sit on the couch and watch TV, but I don’t think that’s how I’m going to handle this.

I try to eat a salad every day instead of a sandwich or focusing on too much bread. I definitely avoid fried foods to the best that I can. I don’t smoke; I don’t chew tobacco. I chewed tobacco growing up in
North Carolina, but I stopped, and I’m glad I did.

I also read before I go to sleep every night. Sometimes, doing these things is hard after a long shift at work, but I have tried to be disciplined.

Future Doc Talk segments will explore other facets of physical and mental health. Column ideas or specific questions can be sent to Damon Gross, Manager-Content and Editorial Operations at dgross@fmi.com.