7 Easy Ways For Employers Promote Wellness in the Workplace

For many people, more of their day is spent at work than at home. In fact, a recent study conducted by Gettysburg College found that the average American will spend around 90,000 hours at work throughout their lifetime. With all that time at the office, it’s essential to provide employees with the proper conditions to thrive. [1]
Going above and beyond to promote wellness in your office benefits employees and employers alike. According to the Employee Benefits Watch report, employees who felt they’re employers cared for their well-being were 40% more likely to declare themselves loyal to the company.
So, why wait? Start promoting wellness in the workplace with these seven simple suggestions:

1. Start the Day With Meditation

Between looming deadlines and never-ending to-do lists, the workplace can quickly become a high-stress environment. On top of in-office stressors, it’s easy to allow outside factors to affect productivity. Kicking off the workday with a clear mind will allow your employees to tackle tasks with ease and meet their goals.
Luckily for employers, meditation practices are typically cost-efficient and require little time! Research conducted by Harvard Medical Students found that practicing mindful meditation led to increased brain activity in areas affecting memory and learning. In as little as five minutes, you can improve the focus and mood of your team.

2. Provide Nutritious Lunch Options (Or Snacks!)

It’s no secret that food fuels a healthy mind and body. Even so, people often struggle to remember to eat healthy, nutrient-rich meals during hectic workdays. In a recent survey conducted by California Walnuts, 2 in 3 millennials said they skipped lunch to “get ahead” at work. While gaining an extra half hour by skipping lunch may seem like a workflow optimization to some, the fatigue it imposes on the body will do more harm than good.
Healthy meal delivery services, like Factor, are a great way to keep your employees nourished and thriving. It’s also sure to increase morale, as you save them time and money. Or, you can offer healthy snacks that are high in brain-boosting Omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., string cheese or nuts).

3. Propose an Office Water Challenge

Water is critical for optimal mental health and workplace performance. But attempting to drink water all day can seem like a daunting task. Luckily, there are some simple ways to keep your employees hydrated and thriving.
Propose an office water challenge that highlights the importance of staying hydrated. To get started, have your employees set a daily water intake goal based on their weight. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in water per day. Consider adding a small incentive, such as winning a close parking spot for a week or getting to leave early on Friday, for employees who meet their hydration goals!

4. Share Weekly Work Wins

Even in the most exciting work environments, employees can become tired and complacent. For employees in smaller departments, employees with few peers to provide compliments and encouragement can become discouraged. In larger departments, people can get lost in the fray. Bottom line – you need to spice it up with some positive reinforcement.
Take the time to highlight when employees go above and beyond. Dedicate time out of the workplace’s periodic events, like weekly meetings, to give people a shout out. That type of positive affirmation will give your employees a much-needed confidence boost and encourage others to strive to get recognized in the future.

5. Work Outings

Organized sports are a great way to get in your daily exercise while de-stressing from a long work week. On-top of encouraging an active lifestyle, organized sports are an excellent team-building opportunity. Practicing working as a team outside of the office will help increase team unity throughout the workplace.
Depending on your line of work, employees may have varying activity levels. For more active groups, softball is a great choice. It’s fast-paced, but there’s also plenty of downtime between plays. As such, softball is a welcoming team sport option for employees of varying athletic backgrounds. But if managing a weekly sports league is a bit too much of a logistical challenge, consider a leisurely alternative, like a day-long golf outing.

6. Host a Charity 5k

Running a 5k with your team can be both physically and mentally rewarding. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or lead a less physically active lifestyle, a 5k is an excellent initiative to get employees actively working towards a common goal. Also, supporting a charitable cause is a great way to incentivize runners and show support for your community.
From pre-race training to the actual event, there is a slew of health benefits that come from running a 5k. Consistent running has shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure levels and assist with weight loss. Beyond the physical benefits, completing a 5k can be vastly empowering as employees achieve their goals.

7. Get Moving

Even though a low-impact office job has little chance of leading to workplace injuries, it isn’t without inherent health risks. The typical office worker can find themselves sitting down for up to fifteen hours a day. All that sitting down can increase the risk of chronic illnesses like Type II diabetes and heart disease, as well as an assortment of other health-related issues. [3]
If your work environment is primarily sedentary, try to encourage little activities in the office intermittently throughout the day. After all, a simple 15-minute walk can significantly reduce health risks and release feel-good endorphins, which can contribute to productivity. Encourage your employees to stand up while taking phone calls, take the stairs instead of the elevator, have walking meetings or go for a walk on their lunch breaks.

Sources:

[1] https://www.gettysburg.edu/news
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion
[3] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog
[4] https://thunderbird.asu.edu/knowledge
[5] https://www.zeroriskhr.com/blog
[6] https://www.mentalhealthamerica.net
[7] https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion
[8] htps://www.mindful.sodexo.com/challenge
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed