More opportunities for physical activity at work leads to healthier employees, stronger job performance, and a boost to the business bottom line via decreased health care costs and improved productivity. Whether you are a small business or a large corporate office, promoting physical activity on the job makes sense. Levy Recognition is here to help you promote healthy initiatives in fun and creative ways.
Physical activity is a natural mood booster. Studies have shown it to reduce anxiety, improve energy, and increase your overall well-being. The amount of physical activity your employees get on and off the job can affect morale. Supporting worker exercise efforts sends a strong message of support to employees — which in turn can positively affect job satisfaction, retention, and recruitment. It shows that you are concerned about healthy work-life balance and support employee decisions to live healthier, more active lives.
One way to remind employees to take time for exercise is by providing them with exercise equipment they can use right at their desks. A common and easy way to exercise during the workday is to stretch. Provide employees with resistance bands they can use to do simple workouts at their desk. Get them customized with your company brand and logo so that employees know you support healthy initiatives in the workplace. Take 10-15 minutes a day to allow the whole office to do a group stretch activity using the resistance bands provided.
Other ways to encourage employees to get active is to host in-office challenges or create health goals that each department or individual can work on throughout the month or year. Employees are more likely to participate in weight loss challenges or walking challenges if there are prizes or fun giveaways for the winners. Consider gifting winners with logoed gym bags and other fitness-themed products that can help them continue working towards their goals.
To promote good nutrition around the office, swap the typical vending machine items for more nutritious options, organize healthful potlucks at work, and offer wholesome snacks during meetings and breaks.
Between rush hour traffic, childcare responsibilities, projects at home, and other tasks, your employees may not be focused on their physical health. Encouraging employees to stay fit outside of the workplace is a little more challenging. Send them home with branded yoga mats, fitness watches, water bottles, and other fitness gear that will inspire them to stay healthy on and off the job.
Why should your employees move more throughout the day? Wellness programs can empower employees to change unhealthy habits and make healthier lifestyle choices. They can lead to lower turnover rates and higher morale because employees appreciate knowing that employers care about their health and happiness.
In addition to boosting morale, exercising regularly can help lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, musculoskeletal problems, and some cancers. Employees who are encouraged to maintain healthy lifestyles feel better at work and at home. Their bodies and minds are healthier too!