10 ways to support healthy living in the workplace

Leading a healthy lifestyle is good for us mentally and physically, but it can be tough to take care of ourselves when we’re managing busy schedules. Promoting a healthy workplace enables you and your employees to lead a healthier lifestyle, reducing employee sickness and absence, which leads to greater productivity.

In this article, we’ve put together ten ways you can support healthy living in the workplace.

Provide reusable water bottles

Even mild dehydration can cause lethargy, dizziness and headaches, yet many people don’t drink enough throughout the day. Providing easy access to water helps employees stay hydrated. Why not invest in reusable water bottles for all your employees? These can be topped up and kept within reach all day, and they are better for the environment than disposable cups or single-use bottles.

Replace biscuits with fruit

Even when we are trying hard to diet, it can be hard to resist those office temptations such as biscuits or a vending machine full of crisps and chocolate. Replace the biscuit tin with a bowl of fresh fruit and make sure there are some healthy options in the vending machine. 

Ban lunch at desks

It’s not uncommon for employees to eat lunch at their desks so they can carry on working. Although this may seem productive, it isn’t. Employees need to take breaks from their computer screen and get fresh air when possible. Make it a rule that eating lunch at desks is not allowed and encourage employees to get outside on their lunch break instead, even if it’s only for a few minutes.

Encourage lunchtime walks

Encourage employees to go out for a walk at lunchtime. They can do this by themselves or in small groups. Small walking clubs not only help employees get more exercise and fresh air, but also give them a chance to bond with other team members.

Subsidise gym memberships

If there is a gym near your place of work, speak to them about corporate memberships or subsidise the cost for employees. They can then use the gym before or after work or during their lunch break. If lunch breaks are usually an hour, extend them to 90 minutes to give employees more time for a lunchtime workout. They’ll come back feeling reinvigorated and are likely to be more productive.

Start a ‘take the stairs’ campaign

Walking up even one flight of stairs a couple of times a day burns a few extra calories and can get the heart rate going. If you’re on the third, fourth, fifth floor or above, those extra calories you burn will quickly add up over the week. Put notices by the lift encouraging employees to take the stairs instead.

Organise group activities and events

Look out for local sporting events or fun runs and enter a team – you can even use it as an opportunity to raise money for a local charity. Organise company events such as five-a-side football tournaments, bike rides, family sports days or rounders in the park. Not only is it great for getting employees more active, but it’s also an excellent team building opportunity.

Make it easy

Make it as easy as possible for employees to eat healthy by ensuring adequate kitchen equipment. Having access to a fridge, a microwave and crockery allows employees to bring a wider choice of meals from home rather than having to eat out every day.

Run incentives or challenges

Make healthy living fun by adding a little competition. Offer small incentives for those who do the most steps on their lunch hour or set a challenge to take the stairs every day for a month. 

Hold education events

Although a lot of people understand that diet is important, not everyone is informed about what a good diet looks like or how they can make improvements to their lifestyle. Educate employees about healthy living through company newsletters or short training sessions. You can bring in external speakers to give presentations around sleep, nutrition, alcohol awareness, mental first aid, exercise and other wellbeing topics.

A happier, healthier workforce benefits you

Building greater awareness of health will encourage employees to make changes, no matter how small, which will improve their health. This can decrease the amount of presenteeism or absenteeism, which in turn saves you money.

In addition to the cost saving benefits, by implementing some of the above ideas, you’re showing employees that you are invested in their wellbeing, making them feel valued. Valued employees are more loyal and more productive, which is good for retention and profits.

At Key Appointments, we are dedicated to helping our clients recruit and retain the best talent. We have a network of specialists who would be happy to come and deliver talks to your team about health and wellbeing. If you’d like us to connect you with a wellbeing expert or have a recruitment requirement, we’d love to hear from you.