How to Encourage an Active Lifestyle at Work

The clocks have gone forward, and Spring has finally sprung. We get to say goodbye to those dark 5 pm finishes and hello to lighter evenings. The new season brings longer daylight hours, helping to encourage a new focus on your health and wellbeing.

Whether you aim to start walking to work, taking yoga classes, or organising a gym membership - this is the time to get active!

Everyone thinks January 1st is the best time to start a new fitness regime. But now the days are longer and brighter, it can be much easier to get moving.

Exercise outside of the workplace has incredible mental and physical benefits that improve all aspects of life. And this week marks World Health Day on April 7th, serving as a reminder to take care of yourself and those around you.

Whether you are changing up your own exercise routine or providing resources for your employees, we’ve listed how active living can improve your work and personal life.

It’s time to get inspired and prioritise your wellbeing this Spring.

What Happens When You Exercise Regularly?

The gym isn’t just for heavy-weight lifters. And yoga isn’t just for the girls - we promise!

Trying something new is an exciting way to get into a new fitness routine. Even if you want to increase your daily steps by walking to work - this is a great way to get moving.

Fitness can often be daunting, and entering the gym for the first time can be scary. But, if you want to start enhancing your work and personal life, it might be time to get outside your comfort zone.

So, what happens when you exercise regularly? How does an active life improve your wellbeing?

Mental Firepower

There are countless benefits to working out often, but one study by Harvard Business Review (HBR) says that “our mental firepower is directly linked to our physical regime” (1). Exercise improves brain functions like increased concentration, sharper memory and prolonged mental stamina (1). It also boosts productivity, creativity and mental clarity, all of which help you at work and in your daily life.

Physical Benefits

Alongside the mental benefits, regularly exercising improves your overall physical health. Adopting a fitness regime can help prevent disease and improve the immune system, often boosting energy levels and improving sleep too. Regular exercise can “reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%” (3)

Focusing on mobility and balance can also have a huge positive influence on your body later in life (2). Future-proofing your body is something that many people have started to focus on. Working out for illness prevention and mental health rather than just aesthetics is a great outlook and can help you stay consistent on your health and wellness journey.

Starting a Health and Fitness Journey

An active lifestyle and fitness journey will look different for everyone. It is vital to avoid comparison or competition when you are starting out, and you may also need to try a few things out to see what you enjoy. You are likelier to stick with your routine when you have something to work towards. 

So, break down your fitness goals to make them clear and actionable (4).

Such as:

Do 10 push-ups

- Walk 10k steps a day

- Drink 2L of water every day

- Run 5k in 30 minutes

- Do yoga for 10 minutes a day

Wellness at Work

As an employer or manager, it is great to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle within your workplace whilst being mindful of people’s relationship with food and fitness. You can integrate some workplace rewards to help make their fitness journey more enjoyable and manageable.

The Wellbeing Hub is a great resource provided by Each Person that allows employees to access content and tips to help them with their mental wellbeing. And mental health programmes can generate a return on investment of up to 800% (5).

You could also offer free gym memberships, and class passes as an employer. Or even create your own company sports club to provide the social and health benefits that come with exercise.

Putting your employee’s health and wellbeing is an excellent way to create a positive workplace culture and help your people to feel appreciated. Need help implementing employee wellbeing in your office? Contact us today at support@eachperson.com or visit www.eachperson.com!

Sources:

1. Harvard Business Review - Regular Exercise Is Part of Your Job by Ron Friedman - https://hbr.org/2014/10/regular-exercise-is-part-of-your-job 
2. Well + Good - How to Train Mobility -  https://www.wellandgood.com/how-to-train-mobility/ 
3. NHS - Benefits of Exercise - https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/#:~:text=It%20can%20reduce%20your%20risk,Exercise. 
4. Runtastic - Tips to Start Your Fitness Journey - https://www.runtastic.com/blog/en/6-tips-for-starting-your-fitness-journey/ 
5. My Possible Self - Mental Health Statistics - https://www.mypossibleself.com/blog/mental-health-workplace-uk-crisis-eight-statistics/ 

By Ellie Pinder, Published April, 2023