Most modern worker schedules have changed in the present day to adapt to new job industries, demanding bosses and fluctuating workloads. On average, full-time employees expend over one-third of their time at work. While staff members are often credited for driving success and growth to a company’s profile, a business typically cannot flourish without efficient, happy and healthy personnel. When someone spends more than 90,000 hours of their life in an office, it could start to take a toll on their mental and physical well-being.
The average American adult now spends about 6.5 hours a day sitting down. With the expectations that come with office culture, employees might not meet the recommended activity levels or nutritional balance they need. If they don’t commit to a steady exercise routine, their bodies can become accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle, which may lead to a series of health risks down the road.
What Can You Do?
Choices vary for each individual but implementing wellness programs and healthy habits at work can benefit performance and attitude. Health should not be a concern only after 5 p.m. The tools and behaviors enforced in the office should reflect those from home. Here are a few ways to create and encourage overall well-being in the workplace.
A person’s heart and cardiovascular system work more effectively when he or she is upright. Multiple muscles in your body might become strained or tired if they are inactive for too long. Your legs, glutes, hips, and back can weaken if you sit for most of the day, resulting in shortened muscles, worsened posture and poor digestion. Try implementing standing desks or add some friendly timers to remind people to get up and move around every 30 minutes or so.
Personalized efforts can make employees more likely to get involved. Encouragement goes a long way, whether it be through supportive emails or incentives. Convenience is also an important factor to keep in mind. It can be difficult to participate if it feels as though you can’t step away from your desk. Using technology to your advantage could be incredibly useful, as workers already spend as many as 12 hours per day using technology.
Promoting more physical exercise and health initiatives may combat the 86% of full-time American workers who sit all day. Avoiding long periods of time in a chair can prevent pelvic muscles from tensing, decrease blood pressure and even reduce the storage of excess body fat around the waist. Enticing employees to stand or walk around the office in their free time could increase blood flow and brain function. To encourage healthier eating, ditch the donut assortments and opt for more nutritious snacks, such as protein bars or fruit.
Don’t Forget Mental Health
Creating a safe environment for workers to thrive could greatly increase levels of openness and productivity. Employers who make it a point to care about mental health typically make team members feel more at ease. Additionally, education and proper training are important to foster and maintain respectful practices. Motivating employees through the use of paid time-off, medical care, childcare services, company outings, and other initiatives can promote a healthy work-life balance.
The implementation of wellness incentives can be beneficial to the efficiency of your staff. Encouraging physical exercise, healthier eating habits and getting up from your desk are great ways to start. Committing to the wellbeing of your personnel will not only improve the success of current employees but also increase your chances of hiring valuable talent in the future. Learn more about the steps you can take to improve health in the workplace with this infographic.
About the author: Dr. Myur S. Srikanth is a board-certified bariatric and cosmetic surgeon at the Center for Weight Loss Surgery, a weight loss clinic in Federal Way, WA. He has been performing bariatric surgery exclusively since 2000 and has performed over 3,500 weight-loss surgeries. Dr. Srikanth performs nearly every operation that is currently available to treat obesity.
