- Introduce physical activities in the workplace so that employees can move around.
- Provide seminars on nutrition, ergonomics, and mental health wellness.
- Encourage regular breaks so that employees can unwind and relax.
- Promote cycling or walking to work instead of using other modes of transport.
- Offer healthy snacking options like fresh fruit, nutritious snacks and low-calorie drinks.
In today’s fast-paced world, people often find themselves leading a sedentary lifestyle, sitting for long hours at their desks. Consequently, it becomes challenging to maintain an active lifestyle and remain fit.
However, with a little effort, it’s possible to incorporate healthy habits into our daily routine, even at work. This blog post aims to provide easy tips on how to promote a healthier and more active lifestyle in the workplace.
Introduce physical activities in the workplace
Sitting for long hours straight is one of the most significant challenges of working in an office. Encourage your employees to move around. You can create a space for physical activities like yoga or stretching.
If you want to go the extra mile and have the space available, you could invest in a basketball court. All you need to do is contact a basketball court maker to help create the perfect court for your office. They can help you select the suitable surface, materials, and equipment to create a fun space for your employees.
Promote healthy lifestyle choices
Emphasize the importance of good health by offering seminars on nutrition, ergonomics, and mental health wellness. These seminars can be conducted by registered dietitians, physical therapists, or mental health professionals. Provide your staff with resources to educate themselves about positive lifestyle choices.
Encourage people to take breaks and unwind
It’s vital to take breaks from work to prevent burnout and stress. A break during work hours can help one’s productivity and boost motivation. You can promote regular intervals by providing a break room to your employees. Here, they can unwind, relax or meditate. Set up stress-busting games or activities like foosball as well.
Encourage walking or cycling to work
If possible, encourage your staff to go cycling or walk to work. This mode of transport is great for the environment and helps promote activity. You could even offer bike racks and showers to encourage physical activity. Promote walking meetings where employees can stroll instead of sitting in a conference room.
Moreover, activities like running clubs or hiking groups can be organized. These activities are great for team building and promote physical activity among the workforce.
Provide healthy snacking options
One way to promote health in the office is by offering healthy snacking options. Healthy snacks can positively impact your employees’ energy levels, focus, and overall health. Here are some tips on how to provide healthy snacking options for your employees.
1. Offer Fresh Fruit
Fresh fruit is a great snacking option because it’s low in calories, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Consider providing a fruit basket with various options, such as grapes, bananas, apples, and oranges. You can also offer individual fruit cups for an easy grab-and-go option. Encourage your employees to make fruit a part of their daily routine by setting a good example yourself.
2. Provide Nutritious Snacks
Offer nutritious snacks that are high in protein and fiber. Some good options include nuts, seeds, and granola bars. These snacks provide energy and help to keep your employees full throughout the day. Be sure to read the labels and choose snacks low in added sugars and preservatives.
3. Keep Hydrating
Ensure your employees stay hydrated throughout the day by offering various low-calorie drink options. Water is the most essential drink for hydration, but herbal teas, infused water, and low-sugar coconut water are also great options. Avoid sugary drinks such as soda and energy drinks because these are often high in calories and can cause sugar crashes.
4. Make it Fun
Healthy snacking doesn’t have to be boring! Get creative with your snacks by offering unique options such as veggie trays, homemade hummus, or roasted chickpeas. Provide a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, and encourage employees to mix and match for a satisfying snack. Adding a healthy snack station can also make snacking a fun and social activity.
Final thoughts
Promoting health and fitness in the workplace is imperative for a productive and happy workforce. The above tips are easy to implement and can do wonders for both employees and the organization itself. As an employer, it’s important to encourage healthy habits and facilitate a culture of health and wellness. Healthy employees are happier employees, and happy employees are more productive!
