Working from home has gained enormous popularity in recent years, offering flexibility and convenience for most of us. However, with the physical separation from colleagues and the lack of a traditional office environment, there is a risk of increased sedentary behaviour. Promoting activity during the working day is crucial for both employees’ improved productivity and well-being.
In this issue we explore why employers should encourage activity and the benefits of arranging regular team catch ups that involve physical exercise. Additionally, we look at the lack of exercise and the impact on employee performance and general well-being.
Why Promoting Exercise is Important?
Promoting activity during the working day while working from home is of utmost importance for several reasons.
Studies have shown that prolonged periods of sitting can have detrimental effects on physical health. Sedentary behaviour has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. Encouraging employees to incorporate movement into their daily routines can help mitigate the latter risks and promote a healthier working environment.
By encouraging employees to incorporate physical activities into their workdays employers can help enhance employee mental well-being. Therefore, engaging in regular exercise has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and overall boost of cognitive function.
Activities Encouraged by Employers
There are various activities that employers can encourage for employees working remotely:
1. Walking Meetings: Conducting meetings while walking instead of sitting can be a refreshing and productive alternative. It allows employees to move around, improves focus, and stimulates creative thinking.
2. Team Gym Catch-ups: Organizing regular team gym catch-ups allows employees to come together to exercise and socialize. It fosters a sense of camaraderie and motivates individuals to maintain their fitness levels.
3. ‘Exercise and Learn’ Catch-ups: Combining physical activity with work-related tasks is an innovative approach. Employers can encourage employees to engage in ‘exercise and learn’ catch ups, where physical activity becomes part of the learning process. Imagine involving your whole team in a Tai Chi lesson followed by a knowledge sharing session immediately afterwards? Not only it would improve your team’s communication and engagement, but would spark new ideas, and knowledge sharing itself becomes more efficient.
4. Fitness Challenges: Organizing fitness challenges within the team can encourage physical activity and create a sense of competition. These challenges could include steps challenges, cycling challenges, workout routines or participation in charitable money raising events involving group exercise challenges.
Encouragement from Employers
Employers have to play a crucial role in promoting physical activity among their employees working from home. Here are some strategies:
1. Setting Clear Expectations: Employers should communicate the importance of promoting exercise and activity during the working day and provide guidelines for incorporating movement into daily working routines. This could include setting targets for daily steps, encouraging breaks to stretch or engage in light exercises, and providing resources such as fitness trackers or exercise apps.
2. Offering Incentives: Organisations can choose to offer incentives, such as rewards or recognition programs, for employees who demonstrate their commitment to physical activity. This can serve as a great additional motivation for the team to stay active!
3. Promoting Supportive Environment: Employers can create a supportive work environment that celebrates active lifestyles. This can include offering ergonomic equipment that promotes movement, providing standing desk options, or providing resources such as virtual fitness classes or access to wellness programs and wellness experiences.
4. Providing Resources and Support: Organisations should consider providing employees with access to resources such as virtual or face-to-face fitness classes, workout plans, or fitness apps. Additionally, they can offer guidance and support to employees who need assistance in maintaining their activity levels.
What Happens to the Team Who Lacks Exercise?
Lack of exercise can have detrimental effects on both performance and overall team well-being.
1. Physical Health Decline: Without regular exercise, employees may experience a decline in physical health. Reduced physical activity can lead to weight gain, weakened muscles, and increased susceptibility to illnesses leading to increased absenteeism due to poor employee health.
2. Reduced Productivity: Sedentary behaviour can impair cognitive function and concentration. Employees who lack exercise may find it challenging to stay focused, complete tasks efficiently, and meet deadlines; therefore, their levels of performance and productivity drop.
3. Increased Stress: Exercise is a natural stress reliever. Without regular physical activity, employees may find it more challenging to cope with work-related stress, leading to increased anxiety and decreased job satisfaction.
4. Impaired Mental Health: Lack of exercise has been linked to poor mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Encouraging physical activity can help employees maintain good mental health and enhance overall well-being.
Key Takeaways
Promoting activity and exercise during the working day while working from home and from the office is crucial for employee productivity and overall well-being. By encouraging walking meetings, team gym catch-ups, ‘exercise and learn’ catch ups, and organizing team wellness experiences, employers can contribute to a healthier and more active remote work environment. The lack of exercise can lead to a number of consequences such as a physical health decline, reduced productivity, and increased stress amongst employees and teams. Therefore, today employers more than ever need to play a vital role in encouraging physical activity by providing guidelines, incentives, supportive environment, and resources to motivate their employees in maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.
For assistance arranging group wellness experiences please contact Kotus Wellness team on tel:+4433305018170 today.