?Businesses of all sizes are increasingly on the lookout for ways to cut medical costs. One effective option is wellness programs. These innovative programs are a great way to keep healthcare costs down, and bring morale up?, advises Susan Gayle, CH, RMT, AHP, Founder of the New Behavior Institute.

?Wellness programs are on the increase throughout the country?, says Gayle. ?According to a recent survey, more than 80% of businesses with 50 or more employees have some form of health/wellness programs, and one of the most popular is Stop Smoking Programs?.

Susan continues, ?A recent survey of nine hundred and fifty US Companies, conducted by the Human Resource consulting firm Hewitt & Associates, found that smokers cost companies 25% more per year than non-smokers?.

Did you know that every smoker on your payroll could be costing your business up to $5,000 every year?

Statistically, smokers take more time out of their workday, have more sick days, and are more expensive to insure.

*The average smoker:

Loses up to 30 minutes a day ? or 14 working days a year - on smoke breaks

Takes 5 days more sick-leave a year on average than non-smokers

Costs 35-50% more to insure, a figure continually on the rise

Imagine the financial benefit of helping your people give up smoking, for good.

Businesses that have adopted Health & Wellness programs, which include Stop Smoking, Weight Loss and Stress Reduction, especially like the savings in insurance premiums and time lost due to sickness:

Du Pont's wellness program resulted in $1.42 in savings for every $1 invested.

Providence Health Care had a 28% reduction in the use of its health care plan after starting a "wellness challenge"

At Berk-Tec, a manufacturing plant employing 1,000 people, a wellness program reduced health care costs ? in one year ? by 18%.

SCANA's wellness strategy has played a large part in its health-care cost trends: a 3 percent decrease in costs in 2005.

For every $1 spent on preventive services and health promotion, employers can realize a $3 return on investment in the form of lower medical costs, less sick and disability leave and higher productivity, according to a Compensation & Benefits Review by Ron Finch of the National Business Group on Health.

So the medical cost savings to your business resulting from having health and wellness programs are quite real. And yet even so, the benefits go beyond money savings and include higher productivity, reduced absenteeism, fewer injuries, and greater morale.

The most popular types of programs are:

Stop-smoking

Weight loss

Stress reduction

Larry S. Chapman, for his book entitled ?Proof Positive: An Analysis of the Cost-Effectiveness of Wellness?, reviewed 42 worksite health promotion and wellness programs, covering 370,558 participants with an average program length of 3.60 years and 4.7 program components. Chapman found that worksite health promotion and wellness programs can:

Reduce Sick Leave by 27.8%

Reduce Health Costs by 28.7%

Reduce Disability Costs by 33.5%

Reduce Workers Comp Costs by 33.5%

Save $5.50 in cost for every dollar invested.

Research shows that Employee Health & Wellness programs lead to a more productive work environment.

Top Reasons Your Company Needs an Employee Stop Smoking Program

The success of any company depends heavily on the productivity and

performance of its human resources. The ability to function and perform consistently at a high level is greatly aided by employees being healthy and non-smoking. The introduction of a Stop Smoking Corporate Program is beneficial for both the employee and the employer. Stop Smoking Programs focus on the physical well-being of employees, look after medical requirements and ensure personal health is a priority. Other programs also offer Weight Loss and Stress Management.

The New Behavior Institute program is successful because it?s natural and easy. Our program is unique because it addresses the physical, psychological, and unconscious challenges associated with becoming a non-smoker.

What are our methods? We use cutting-edge and proven mind-body techniques, including Behavior Modification, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Self-Hypnosis with on-going Reinforcement.

Private one-on-one corporate coaching sessions are also available for Alcohol/Drug Issues as well as the aforementioned Stop Smoking, Weight Loss and Stress Reduction.

?Your mind is your most powerful tool.?

It?s been said of Susan Gayle and her work, ? We regain our lost sense of ease, grace and limitless potential.? And besides, she?s fun!

Susan Gayle ? Take a Breath and Take Back Your Life.

Susan Gayle, CH,RMT, AHP, is the author of the Self-Help Audio Programs, ?Take Control Of Your Eating?, ?Learn To Be Stress-Free?, ?Take Control Over Alcohol?, ?Stop Smoking? (available at www.NewBehaviorInstitute.com) and 10 others which help people learn how to take control and make positive changes in their lives. She is Founder of the New Behavior Institute that specializes in Cognitive Change for both individuals and corporations. She is a Speaker, Author, Teacher, Certified Hypnotist (NGH, ABH, IMDHA, IACT) and Reiki Master Practitioner. Susan has been written up in the NY Times, quoted in The Hartford Courant, Orlando & Sun Sentinel, University of Connecticut Health Newsletter, Sacramento Bee, Woman?s Day, Women?s World, Quick & Simple, Arizona Republic, Black Enterprise, HRMagazine and others and is a regular guest on national and international radio. She was host of the Radio show ?Susan Gayle?s Happy Hour?.

To contact Susan to Quit Smoking, Lose Weight, Reduce Stress and Control Alcohol/Drugs for yourself or your company's Wellness Programs:

Call: 1.212.889.5362

E-Mail: SNF@NewBehaviorInstitute.com

Website: www.NewBehaviorInstitute.com

Interviews may be arranged via: E-mail: SNF@NewBehaviorInstitute.com

Telephone: 212-889-5362

http://www.SusanGayle.com

http://www.NewBehaviorInstitute.com