Most people spend the majority of their day sitting in an office chair, and this can have some negative consequences on your health. A recent study has shown that there are benefits to treating your office space like you would a gym, by adding regular exercise breaks into your day.
1. Exercise can help reduce stress
When you’re feeling stressed out, taking a few minutes to exercise can help you feel better. Exercise releases endorphins, which can help reduce stress and make you feel happier. This is especially helpful in the workplace where stress can become overwhelming at times.
2. Exercise helps your concentration
Taking a break to exercise can help improve your focus and concentration. When you exercise, your body is releasing insulin in response to the increased blood flow. This insulin helps reduce the levels of glucose in your blood, which is why you might feel tired after eating a sugar-heavy meal. When you exercise, your body releases more insulin than usual, which can help improve concentration throughout the rest of your day.
3. Exercise is good for your heart
Exercise can help increase blood flow to your heart, which will strengthen it over time. This is why regular exercise is often recommended for people who have heart conditions. Even if you don’t suffer from a heart condition, regular exercise will help strengthen your cardiovascular system to improve your health in general. Just make sure to ask employees with heart illness to consult with their doctors before engaging in an office exercise program as different people will have different heart responses to exercise.
4. An exercise treatment promotes workplace interaction
When people exercise they become more connected to their bodies and this can help them feel more creative. An office workout is a great way for coworkers to bond by helping each other with exercises, and this improved relationship can improve the overall culture of your office.
5. Exercise helps improve employee moods
When people exercise, their bodies release endorphins which can improve mood. Having a good mood can then affect the kind of work that employees produce. Taking exercise breaks throughout the workday, therefore, can help employees feel happier and more focused on their tasks when they return to work.
6. An exercise treatment can reduce injuries
Regular exercise can help strengthen your muscles, which makes it easier for you to lift heavy objects. An exercise treatment also helps reduce the amount of body fat that an employee has, which can reduce the risk of injury. Employees who are in good shape will be able to lift heavy objects with less chance of injury.
With these benefits, you may now want to start an exercise program in your workplace? Here are some tips:
Check with company insurance for coverage
Most companies will reimburse employee memberships at a gym if they involve fitness activities. Insurance companies will be able to tell you if they will help pay for a new exercise treatment plan you want to implement at your office.
Choose an activity that multiple employees can do
The best way to start an exercise program is by choosing activities that most employees can do. This could be something as simple as a company yoga class, or a series of quick exercises that anyone with an office chair can do.
Consider hiring a personal trainer on a part-time basis.
Personal trainers can design exercise programs that address the needs of employees and work within a specific time frame. Having them work with your entire time can also help with accountability, which can encourage employees to become regulars at the new exercise treatment.
Consider implementing walking meetings or taking regular breaks throughout the day for stretching exercises.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can encourage employees to walk during their lunch breaks or break up their days with more movement throughout the day. You could also have a staff meeting outside or go on a walk during lunch. If you don’t want to start an entirely new office exercise program, simply encourage people to take breaks throughout the day.
Ask employees to find ways to exercise in the morning, before work.
If your employees are already exercising before work, they’ll be more likely to stick with a new exercise treatment. An office workout is great because employees can do it in the privacy of their own home or office.
If you’re starting an exercise program, don’t forget to keep things fun and interesting for employees. People will be much more likely to stick with a program if they enjoy doing it. This means that you should think of activities that will appeal to employees who might not always enjoy exercising. You can combine exercise with other activities that people enjoy, such as cooking classes or group lunches. The more interesting your program is the more likely they are to stay vigilant of their health. Don’t forget to have fun!