Exercising is a great way to maintain good mental health. Whether you like to push your body to its limits or just take a general stroll in the sun, getting up and getting active is good for you.
But in today’s busy world, when most of the population spend a third of their adult life at work, add in your daily commute, family commitments and that all-important thing called SLEEP (also very useful in maintaining a good mental health) when exactly are we supposed to factor in time to exercise?
As employers, it is in your best interests to help keep your employees fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. Statistics from Public Health England and the Foundation for Work report that the combined cost of sickness absence, lost productivity through worklessness and health related productivity losses are estimated to be over £100 billion annually. Employers spend £9bn a year on sick pay and associated costs and over 131 million working days are lost to sickness absence each year.
Of course, enabling your workforce to build exercise and activity into their work day isn’t going to immediately eradicate sickness altogether. But it all helps. It has a positive effect on physical health, a positive effect on mental health, it boosts morale and makes people feel valued….and a healthier and happier workforce has got to be a good thing, right?
If you’d like to change your work culture and introduce new initiatives, the best place to start is by consulting with your workforce. There’s no point in investing in new schemes if no-one wants them. Use your internal communications tools to find out the needs of your staff and what might appeal to them. Talk to other organisations and companies in your networks to find out what has worked for them (and what hasn’t!) Everyone’s needs will be a little bit different – make sure what you propose, works for you and your business.
Here are 13 ideas to get you started.
- Nature nurtures: Fresh air and green space can have a great effect on creativity. Even getting up and walking away from a desk allows sedentary workers the chance to stretch and unwind. Take it outside and make the most of green spaces.
- Walk and Talk: Take advantage of technology and use a mobile or hands-free phone. Stand up and walk round the office, every step counts.
- Walk and Talk Part 2: Take the walking and talking to the next level. There’s no rule to say meetings must take place in a sitting environment. If it’s a casual catch up and you don’t need to take notes, why not take a stroll and discuss issues on the move?
- Team Sports: Organise team sports at lunchtimes, after hours or at weekends. As well as being a great way to keep fit, this is also good for team building, inclusion and boosting company morale.
- Save pounds / lose pounds: Negotiate a company discount at a local gym facility. Not only will your employees save money, but this presents great opportunities for healthy partnerships and positive brand association.
- Bring in an instructor: Can’t get to the gym to exercise? Bring the exercise to you. Do some research into what sort of things might benefit workers in your specific industry. Bring external providers in to deliver classes at lunchtime or after work. Try yoga or Pilates for help with core stability and posture. Or how about some walking football? You could rotate classes throughout the year, so people don’t get bored.
- Exercise for charity: Enter a sponsored event for charity. Team entries are a great way to get everyone involved, boost morale and create a supportive environment. There are lots of events happening in Cumbria this year. Why not try a Colour Run or the Carlisle Poppy Challenge?
- Weekend Walks: Make the most of the Cumbrian landscape and get out rambling at weekends. Set up a weekend walking group and organise different walks and routes. It’s a fantastic way to see a bit of countryside, get fit and socialise with people from other departments.
- Promote a walk to work scheme: This will depend on your location and not all workers will live within walking distance. However, those that travel by car or bus could park a few streets away or get off the bus a stop early. If you work on a business park, some of those car parks are huge! Even parking a bit further away from the door could make a massive difference.
- On your bike: This one is also a big tick in the environmental box and can help with car park over-crowding and entrance / exit congestion at peak times. It might involve installing cycle storage facilities or try a bike purchase scheme such as the Government led Cycle Scheme. www.cyclescheme.co.uk
- Here comes the hot stepper: Run an internal communication directive that promotes the use of stairs, rather than taking the lift. This one is so simple it shouldn’t even have its own number – and yet it is one of those things that people will only do if they are reminded!
- Workspace flexibility: If its possible, workspace flexibility can be helpful. Some workers might want to swap their seats for rubber balls (every time you stand up and sit down you’re automatically getting an abdominal workout) or how about standing desks? Allowing employees the freedom to choose what’s right for them will always get the best results.
- Schedule flexibility: Again, this may not be viable for all organisations, but can you offer flexibility in working hours to accommodate participation in activities or events? Some employees might want to start slightly later a certain day, so they can make it to their class of choice, others may want to take part in a marathon or sponsored walk. Look at your workplace directives and policies to see what you can comfortably manage. It may pay huge dividends in the long run.
Now you’ve got to the end of this article, treat yourself by taking a short walk around the office or do some stretches.