Finding Balance

As the calendar year comes to a close, many leaders – myself included – take a moment to wish their colleagues a happy holiday and encourage them to take time to relax with their families. Even while recognizing that the holidays can be stressful for many, the act of putting aside our work and focusing on the things we hold most dear is, at its core, a reminder that balance is important for both our mental and physical health.

Making health a priority can be a challenge when it competes with long hours of work, commuting, caregiving and other obligations, but doing so has never been more important. Chronic diseases associated with stress, lack of exercise, poor diet, inadequate sleep, and smoking can have a devastating effect on individuals and their families. They are also creating a significant negative impact on societies and health care systems worldwide. 

This matters to employers, not only because they rely on a healthy and productive work force but also because companies like Pfizer are made up of colleagues who are embedded in communities around the world and who care about the health of friends, loved ones and the people with whom they interact every day.

At Pfizer, we are deeply committed to applying science and our resources to improving health and well-being at every stage of life – for patients and for our colleagues. We recognize that we play a critical role in creating positive, healthy work environments for our employees, which can have a ripple effect on their families and communities.

We take a variety of approaches toward this goal. The benefits plans that we offer to colleagues ensure access to affordable, quality care, and our wellness programs are designed to encourage a proactive approach to personal health. Recent initiatives include offering biometric screenings to help create awareness of health risk factors, encouraging preventative action in a variety of ways to manage or prevent disease, promoting recommended cancer screenings, and providing access to on-site vaccines. As an company committed to healthy living, we also advocate for health care policies that support a healthier society.

On an individual level, taking ownership of our health is a deeply personal matter, and it’s not one-size-fits-all. But as a leader at Pfizer, I try – admittedly not always with success – to model the kinds of healthy behaviors that allow me and our colleagues to perform at the highest levels. This means prioritizing a good diet and regular exercise, but it also means finding balance. Pursuing avenues for relaxation through personal interests and passions outside of work is critical.

And so, with a new year upon us, I will wish my colleagues time to relax and regroup, and I will also be mindful of the need for sustained healthy living, in all its forms, throughout 2017 and beyond. I hope you will join me.