A Healthy Work Environment: Making Happy, Productive Employees

The concern for the overall health and wellness of employees has been increasing recently, and for entrepreneurs and small companies, it is becoming necessary to place more focus on their physical and mental health. They spend at least eight hours a day at work, possibly more in many cases. Places of business have made people more physically sedentary with a higher work demand. Health should be incorporated into the fabric of a company’s culture for its employees, but not all businesses can afford high-end gyms and on-site spa treatments and massages. Luckily, there are ways to promote affordable health practices into the workplace. Here are four creative ideas to make the work environment healthier.

Get Creative in Promoting More Movement

Any kind of movement is so important in an office setting. Set meetings where people are not sitting but walking and speaking. Buoys are a great replacement for desk chairs, and they demand better core strength and movement. Even making people stand up or walk during calls and conference calls is getting some movement back into the workplace. A really proactive idea would be to initiate an office fitness challenge with a prize for whoever the winner was.

Install a More Casual Dress Code

A casual dress code does not have to mean a distracting one. It would be smart to let employees know a casual dress code makes it easier to bike or walk to work if possible. When you’re able to wear what you like (within reason) you’re more likely to get your work done because you’re comfortable. It lessens stress and increases happiness and job satisfaction.

Make Health Goal Announcements

If there has been a memo sent out addressing an effort to make work a more healthy environment, then put up a board so people can write their health goals. Any goal related to health can be listed there. Anything that has to do with better health, from losing 20 pounds to someone considering earning an RN degree in their spare time. This practice makes people feel like they are held accountable.

Ban Junk Food in the Workplace

The break room does not have to look like the candy section for Halloween at work, and vending machines full of snack cakes only hurts the work community and adds temptation. People will strive harder personally when the entire group is participating, and this includes eating better at work.

Healthy people are usually happier, and it is important for the morale of the workplace to stay up. Employees who are in better shape tend to be more productive and have better mental clarity. All it takes is some creative thinking to help people and a business at the same time.

Author: Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing for sites like those that offer online RN and MSN degrees. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; @Rachelle-Wilber