As Bermuda evolved into one of the world's leading tourist destinations at the turn of the century, it became known as `The Isles of Rest' -- a soubriquet still used by those who vacation here. For more and more people, however, as Bermuda achieved equal fame as a busy international financial centre, the `Isles of Rest' became `The Isles of Work' -- with many of the attendant stresses and strains associated with life in any city environment.

To combat this and to promote healthier, happier lifestyles amongst the Island's companies and organisations, Wellness Bermuda was formed as a separate extension of the very successful Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

Almost two years later, employers are realising that its holistic approach (enhancing mental as well as physical wellbeing) is paying off. Since the introduction of the programme, indications are that with better morale, and lower staff absenteeism and turnover, Wellness Bermuda is cost-effective as well as health-effective.

Praise for the initiative has come from a wide-ranging group of organisations.

"We have come to recognise that it's good business and humane and caring management to help employees maintain and improve their health and wellbeing'' says Joseph Johnson, president and CEO of participating company, American International Group.

Learning to take the stress out of `The Isles of Work' Edward Dyer, who heads up the Bermuda Prison Service, believes that the Wellness Bermuda programme "facilitates increased employee awareness through promoting a positive philosophy where employees can develop healthy and well-rounded lifestyles.'' Consultant Jenny Smatt developed a corporate fitness programme for EAP's member companies as part of her internship at EAP. "It really arose out of an identified need and demand from companies who were looking for a more proactive and preventative approach'', she explains.

"At EAP, we are now in our 11th year of operation and very well established,'' says executive director Deborah Carr, "so the next logical step was to create depth and diversity in our programme. We saw a growing need for this programme. Yes, it's new and `cutting edge', but very needed. Over the past few years there has been a great change in company philosophy and, as we worked on EAP issues, people said they became aware of a need to change the whole fabric of how a company functions. And this really gave birth to the wellness programme.'' One of the biggest tasks has been to educate the public on what a `wellness' programme really means. "In many ways, it's been mis-defined,'' says consultant Lise Baldwin. "People think it means going off to an expensive spa, running marathons or going on a very strict diet. But what we promote is a more balanced and improved quality of life. In fact, we tell people not to try and be perfect, but try to achieve some kind of balance in their lives.

It's important,'' she emphasises, "to maintain a positive approach. Some people initially think our message is perhaps boring -- but wellness is about making you feel well, happy and fulfilled. We certainly don't use shame and guilt. We believe that everyone deserves a happy and healthy lifestyle -- not just the fitness buffs! So we present it in an upbeat, fun kind of way.'' As Ms Smatt points out, their wellness programme differs from many others in that it is individually devised for each organisation. "We would never dream of offering a `package deal'. The distinguishing characterisation of Wellness Bermuda is that we go into each company or group and conduct a `needs assessment' and then set up an internal committee with whom we develop a programme that suits a particular organisation's needs. For example,'' she says, "there was one company that had provided a gym and was then upset because hardly anyone was using it. The trouble was, they had failed to ask their staff whether, in fact, they wanted a gym.'' Although programmes vary, most include seminars and workshops. Garry Madeiros, president and CEO at Belco says these have addressed such issues as shiftwork and the circadian system, stress management, self-esteem in the workplace, as well as on-site health screenings and activities that include Tai Chi, netball, walking, basketball and water aerobics, as well as company picnics and `family fun days'. At Heddington Insurance, senior underwriter Holly Barany reveals that a committee was formed to address such employee concerns as fitness, managing stress and adopting healthier diets. Additionally, they produce a bi-monthly company Health Page and activities include health walks, summer company picnic and a `Crazy Olympics'. In its first year as a member of Wellness Bermuda, Abby Clifford says the Bank of Butterfield's custom-designed workshops have included "numerous exercises and group activities'' which "assist our employees in gaining not only a broad understanding of wellness principles but also encourages them to reflect and gain an insight into their individual needs.'' Ms Smatt, who is currently completing Masters degrees in counselling psychology and human resource management, is also a certified personal trainer with the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. A well-known athlete, she represented Bermuda in the 1990 and 1994 Commonwealth Games, the Pan American Games and the 1992 Olympics. Besides serving as a volunteer with Addiction Services in Bermuda, she has recently completed an internship with the Massachusetts Eating Disorder Association.

Ms Baldwin, who has degrees from universities in New Zealand and Canada, implemented wellness initiatives at Toronto's Women's College Hospital and also gained certification in fitness assessment. When she moved to Bermuda two years ago, she developed a wellness programme for children at the Family Learning Centre and also volunteered in projects for the Department of Education and to coach Bermuda's Special Olympics Track and Field team.

Both feel that the key to the success of their programme is the insistence that, after a `needs' assessment has been drawn up, each organisation forms its own internal committee. "Ultimately, they are the best judges of what their particular group needs,'' says Ms Baldwin, "and are the best equipped to carry that plan through. For our part, we advise, monitor, evaluate and modify programmes because adjustments are often appropriate at different levels of behavioural change. The point we like to get across,'' she adds, "is that a wellness programme embraces physical, social, intellectual, occupational, spiritual and emotional factors. It is most emphatically, not just a `Keep Fit' programme.'' Ms Smatt says that the close relationship with EAP is also crucial to the success of Wellness Bermuda. "We do conduct personal counselling and if something comes up in the course of that, we have the experts right there at EAP to deal with it! Let's face it, we are all liable to stress -- especially on a very small island. And employees here, as around the world, are demanding to be treated as whole individuals, to feel that they are contributing to their community in a `hands on' way. In the west, we became too used to popping a pill to make us feel better, but the eastern approach, of taking care of the whole person has certainly gained ground and seems to be the way forward in the 'nineties.'' As for Ms Carr, she believes that the programme's two consultants are also critical to its success. "They are both very creative, tenacious, vibrant people who truly believe in what they do! They have to deal with some very personal issues, sometimes in difficult settings. So the people behind this programme are all-important: you can have all the qualifications in the world, but not have the substance and insight to deal with people. Both Jenny and Lise manage this extremely well and they get totally involved. It's not unusual for either of them to be discussing a company's pressures -- not over a cup of coffee, but at six o'clock in the morning, when they team up with the employees for an early morning walk. That's what I call dedication!''