Healthy employees are happy employees. Wellness programs in the workplace are becoming increasingly popular. Partially for insurance purposes, and partially to support the health and productivity of employees, everyone wins when a wellness program is implemented. These days, everyone is working longer hours, which means they don’t have as much time outside of work to tend to their health needs. Everything starts with small steps, and setting the right tone will get everyone warmed up and ready to make better choices.
1. Encourage healthy eating habits
While you can’t enforce what people eat outside of work, it’s unwise to throw a pile of junk food down in front of them and call it a day. It’s easy to order a pizza or buy a premade cake to celebrate an important event, but it isn’t worth it in the long run. Try offering a salad bar for company lunches, including lean protein options. Fresh fruit and vegetables are stereotypically healthy snacks, but they’re much better to munch on than chips and cookies.
2. Let people be comfortable
You know as well as your employees do that getting out of your stiff work clothes after a long day is one of the most relieving feelings in the world. Instead of letting it come to that point, you should consider your dress code. In rigid clothing and very formal shoes, it’s hard to go for a walk on your break. Going business casual will make people more comfortable, which in turn will encourage them to move around more.
3. Consider letting dogs come to work
Even if it’s not feasible to do it on a daily basis, think about selecting one day a week where people are allowed to bring their pets in with them. Science says that pets are soothing to stressful minds, which is why people often obtain therapy animals. In addition to their comforting qualities, dogs will have to go outside eventually. Employees will have to get up to take them for their walks, and that little bit of exercise beats being glued to a chair all day.
4. Switch tasks often
Nothing about being sedentary is good for you. Grueling work in front of a screen all day can lead to weight gain and fatigue. Switch up the game plan several times throughout the day. Setting up several work stations around the office will give employees no choice but to move around. Have some tasks scheduled that involve standing up. Incorporating fun physical activities or motivational games into meetings is simpler than you may think.
5. Start a wellness club
Give employees the opportunity to better themselves with the support of their coworkers. Everyone has fitness goals. For some, it’s trimming a few pounds. Others may want to tone or start eating a healthier diet. Set up a board in the break room for people to share their goals and accomplishments. Achieving a desired level of health is easier when you feel like you aren’t alone in your journey. Having that accountability will make employees more likely to stick to their personal goals.
When people take care of their bodies, they feel better. Eating cleaner and exercising more affects both the body and the mind. It’s never a bad time to start making better choices for a healthier future, and you may find that your employees are willing and eager participants.
