5 Ways to Incorporate Wellness in the Workspace

Desk job professionals spend most of their day sitting at workstation, which adversely affects their health. The reason that desk jobs do not allow too much physical movement, professionals are more susceptible to health hazards such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes. Organizations could incorporate wellness in offices to help employees live a healthy life and perform better at work. To help you get started, we list five ways in the blog post to provide a healthy work environment to employees. Read on.

1. Include Ergonomic Furniture

Sitting for long hours in same posture adversely affects the spine and nervous system. Ergonomic furniture such as height adjustable tables, standing desks, computer desks, and chairs gives employees the flexibility to adjust the office furniture as per their comfort and needs. Furniture such as sit/stand desks allows for some body movement as employees can sit or stand while working at their convenience and maintain their body posture.

2. Host Physical Activity Programs

Working in the same posture for long hours and lack of movement are linked to various health ailments such as diabetes, obesity, and coronary heart disease. Physical activities can help in prevention of diseases by reducing stress, improving blood circulation, maintaining a healthy weight, and allowing body movement. Employers can encourage employees to walk or cycle on their way to work, participate in national or state event such as a marathon, sponsor free walks or runs, and arrange group activity and other physical activity programs that may include outdoor games and exercising activity such as yoga.

3. Provide Healthy Food Items

Besides physical activity, healthy eating also promotes the wellness of employees. Healthy food choices can influence the long-term health of your employees and their performance. To do so, employers must include healthy food options such as organic tea, fruits, juices and salads in their food menu. Even during potluck and other team building lunches, the management must encourage healthy eating habits. Replace soda cans, soft drinks, potato chips, and other junk food items with fruit juice, flavored milk, and diet snacks.

4. Create Health Awareness

Wellness requires a gentle push, and the knowledge and guidance to achieve it. Creating health awareness is an important step to educate and encourage employees to take care of themselves even outside office premises. Employers can host seminars where doctors and dieticians talk on various topics related to maintaining health and workshops by local chefs on how to prepare healthy meals.

5. Organize Periodic Health Checkups

Periodic health checkups can also help in promoting well-being of your employees. Employers can arrange free health checkups for their employees on world diabetes day or other such days. Besides health checkups, employers can even arrange for physical therapies and chair massage sessions to reduce stress and increase comfort in the workplace.

Conclusion

The bad health of staff affects the business, as they are unable to deliver the desired results in the stipulated time. An increase in absenteeism also reduces the turnover, and could lead to decline in business profits. Incorporating health programs, group physical activities, and ergonomic furniture such as desks and chairs in the work environment helps in keeping employees healthy, active, and perform better at the workplace.