Workplace Wellness: 4 Tips to Encourage Employees to Stretch for Productivity
Posted by Amelia K. on Wednesday, September 10th, 2014 with 2 Comments
We’ve all been there: those moments when you’re sitting at your desk, hunched over your computer, feeling less and less focused as each moment wears on. In fact, when your employees are feeling drained, they’re more easily distracted and less productive while working – and this is increasingly becoming a problem among U.S. employers. But did you know that there’s actually a simple fix for this problem – and it’s something that promotes a healthier workplace at the same time?
Office yoga is one way to incorporate stretching into your workplace wellness program.
Photo Credit: Flickr user enfad
Believe it or not, a stretch break can be just the ticket for helping your staff feel better and work harder – meaning a higher level of productivity throughout the day. Not only does stretching help improve flexibility (and loosen up tight muscles after sitting at a desk for hours on end), it can help your employees clear their mind to help them focus on their work and eliminate those nasty tension headaches that can block creativity. And the benefits of healthy habits in the workplace go beyond the individual – when employees feel better, morale increases among colleagues, making for a more positive and conducive work environment. So how can you encourage your staff to take a break and stretch throughout the day? Here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Bring in an expert. A little education can help your employees understand why stretching is important and how to do it best. In fact, there are many different stretches that people can easily do from their desks. While some might feel a little silly at first, seeing the whole team doing the same stretches in a group setting can help them feel more comfortable taking a break to limber up in the future – and encourage other staff members to follow suit!
2. Incorporate a wellness newsletter. If you don’t already have one, a monthly wellness newsletter is a great way to promote a healthy workplace. Including a short article about a new stretch that your team can try at their desks is one way you can promote movement breaks. And using the article to also explain how it will help them come back to their computers feeling refreshed will help them to refocus on their work after their break. It’s a win-win!
3. Offer yoga over the lunch hour. Many companies have started offering yoga and pilates classes over the lunch hour for interested employees. While not every team member may participate, it’s a great way to show some staff appreciation and promote workplace wellness – while offering a built in stretching break for your team. Keep in mind that you don’t have to offer the class every day – even once a week is a great benefit to your staff. It might even inspire some to take the initiative to get moving on their own for those days a class is not offered.
4. Use exercise balls as desk chairs. Using an exercise ball instead of a desk chair is a great way to promote good posture and will help your staff stay more limber throughout the day. It’s unlikely that everyone will take you up on the switch, but giving your team the option is a great way to offer more healthy choices within your office, while helping everyone feel better while sitting at their desk.
And don’t forget the healthy snacks! Have fresh fruit, nuts, or plain Greek yogurt on hand for employees to enjoy during any breaks between meals. Reaching for something nourishing during breaks serves to support employee efforts, instead of derail them like a sugar-laden donut or candy bar would.
Encouraging your employees to take short breaks throughout the day to stretch out, take their eyes off the computer screen and refocus their energy is an excellent way to promote workplace wellness. And helping your team understand the importance of taking a break to stretch can help them to be more productive while they’re working. Healthy eating, in combination with a more active lifestyle, can help take your workplace wellness a step further.When you want to supplement your stretching program with great, catered food, Waiter.com has you covered. Check out all of our options today!
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You are right; encouraging employees to take short breaks throughout the day to stretch out, take their eyes off the computer screen and refocus their energy is an excellent way to promote workplace wellness. Thanks for sharing these tips.
I agree! It’s great encouragement to take a break in the middle of the day. It definitely helps me be more productive!