According to the Principal Financial "Well-Being Index: American Workers," 62 percent of workers believe workplace wellness activities are successful in improving health and reducing health risks, up from 55 percent in 2011.

By taking advantage of workplace wellness offerings, American employees are approaching their work with more energy and motivation. Fifty-one percent of program participants feel wellness benefits encourage them to work harder and perform better, and another 59 percent of program participants say they have more energy to be productive at work as a result of their participation in employer-sponsored wellness programs.

"As wellness programs become more established in the workplace, we are seeing a growing number of employees appreciate – and expect – that their employer offers these benefits," said Lee Dukes, president of Principal Wellness Company, a subsidiary of the Principal Financial Group. "In the wake of the financial crisis, which has left many companies stretched thin, maintaining a productive workforce is a priority for organizations."