How to Create a More Active Workplace
Like most individuals, you have an office space where you spend at least eight hours of your day doing work. This can create a sedentary environment that discourages activity and promotes weight gain. This makes you or your employees less productive in your daily tasks, not to mention the potential health risks of being overweight. However, if you want to create a more active workplace, these four tips will help motivate you to be more active during your workday and ultimately become more productive in your roles.
1. Have Standing Desks
The biggest obstacle to staying active during your workday is likely sitting in your chair. If you want to promote more activity in your workplace, invest in some standing desks. These pieces of furniture allow employees to stand at their desks while working; they’re designed for workers who would otherwise be spending eight hours per day sitting down.
Standing desks increase productivity and energy levels, and they can also help reduce back pain and improve posture. Consider using a height-adjustable sit stand desk in Australia that allows you to switch between sitting and standing throughout each day to maintain an active workspace.
2. Encourage Healthy Behaviors on Social Media
It’s easy to get trapped in a circle of scrolling, clicking, and refreshing your social media feeds or losing hours of work time browsing online entertainment. If you fall into these patterns at work, try setting goals and limits on social media. Consider limiting employees’ access to specific sites during business hours. If you want them to spend more time being productive, encourage them to disconnect from their devices during work hours.
3. Schedule Short Fitness Breaks
Make it clear that regular 15-minute fitness breaks are available for everyone in your workstation. As an added incentive, provide some space or set aside some equipment (e.g., dumbbells and medicine balls) that individuals can use on their breaks to engage in short, simple fitness activities. By making these workouts easy and accessible, you’ll encourage your employees’ mindfulness and help them make healthy choices during work hours. Setting aside time for all employees shows that your company values activity for everyone.
4. Organize Fun Events, and Reward Achievements
Designating office-wide events that motivate employees to be more active at work and outside of work will create positive competition among colleagues. To create an active office environment, consider organizing fun events and talks that discuss exercise, healthy eating, and ways to encourage innovative thinking. This will show your employees that you support their goals and boost morale.
Likewise, it would be best if you also rewarded employees for activities like attending gym classes or achieving their personal bests when handling daily tasks. These rewards don’t have to be extravagant; they can be as simple as company t-shirts or coupons for local health clubs and restaurants. Ultimately, these things can help keep your workforce fit and healthy.
Endnote
Although sitting or standing at a desk all day may seem easier than climbing ladders or doing heavy labor, it’s a real task on your body and can lead to serious health risks down the road. To stay healthy and safe on the job, you should encourage an active workplace by creating an active environment in your office space. Encouraging changes for employees will keep them active throughout the day and minimize their risk of injury or long-term health problems caused by inactivity.
This article has been published in accordance with Socialnomics’ disclosure policy.
