Employees who are healthy are more productive, use less sick time, and are more engaged. So how can employers help employees get active and stay healthy?
Here are six ways to get your employees more active this Spring.
Encourage taking breaks
Everyone needs a break, but it may be even more crucial for your team members who sit behind a desk all day. Sitting for eight-plus hours at work can lead to poor circulation, back issues, and other circulatory and muscle issues. Encourage employees to set reminders on their devices to stand and, if possible, walk briskly around the office once an hour.
Help your team eat well
A considerable part of what makes up “wellness” is what we eat. Offering employees a way to make healthy choices for meals easy and accessible is a huge perk.
Meal perks offer employees the convenience of a prepaid card with a monthly meal allowance. The card can then be used to pay for meals during working hours at local eateries, restaurants, grocery stores, and through food-delivery apps.
Challenge employees to take the stairs
Are your company offices in a high-rise building? Start a challenge this Spring to see who can log the most flights climbed in a month.
Encourage employees to take the stairs instead of the elevator when they have a meeting or are arriving and leaving for the day.
What seems like small daily efforts will add up in a big way. Climbing stairs is one of the best cardio exercises and has various benefits, including strengthening muscles, improving balance, and boosting cardiovascular health.
Have walk-and-talk meetings
Research shows that walking and talking can increase creative thinking and productivity and produce a more honest exchange of ideas than traditional office meetings. So, get those extra steps logged while you chat.
Gym memberships are a great way to encourage exercise on and off the clock. Another excellent option is offering wellness activities in the office, like Zumba or yoga. Help employees offset gym membership, fitness classes, and equipment costs with lifestyle benefits.
Encourage biking to work
Spring is a great time to get outdoors, so opting to bike (or e-bike) to work is a great option this time of year. Not only does it help promote a healthy lifestyle, but it’s also good for the environment.
You can offer commuter benefits to support employees using micromobility options like bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and more. These benefits give employees funds to rent devices or commute on public transit.
We would love to help you implement these tips and promote a healthy lifestyle for your employees in and out of the office. Schedule a meeting with us today to begin discussing options for your office.
