A continuing trend in the modern workplace is a focus on employees’ overall health and wellness. We would all love our own personal health clubs at work, but for those of us who don’t have that luxury, there are plenty of health-promoting initiatives we can create for little to no money. Here are a few ideas to focus on for better office and employee wellness.
#1: Encourage Exercise
A great step toward office wellness is encouraging employees to exercise daily. A classic and easy way to integrate exercise into the workday is commuting by bicycle. Implementing a business casual dress code can help promote this means of transport; it’s tough to bike to work in heels, or in a suit and tie! Other ways to encourage exercise are by providing covered bike parking and offering discounted memberships at a health club after office hours.
#2: Keep Design In Mind
How we structure the office can make a big difference in overall wellness at work. The idea of movement should be considered in design, and features like sit/stand workstations can help promote physical activity. It’s also important to incorporate mood-boosting natural light, and office plants can help bolster worker productivity and morale.
#3: Healthy Snacks
It is tempting to stock break rooms with candy and soda, but quick-fix junk foods don’t promote wellness. Consider improving vending machine selection by adding items like fruit, trail mix, and healthy energy bars. At the next company meeting or party, consider replacing cake and fatty foods with some healthier alternatives. (Here at EON, we have Fruit Fridays with fresh-cut watermelon and other seasonal fruits available in break rooms – and it’s amazing how tempting the smell of watermelon can be!)
How does your organization promote office wellness? We would love to hear about it!
Sources:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140628161311-7345603-the-seven-faces-of-wellness-in-office-design
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/231974
