Many employees spend much of the day sitting at their desks. And that’s a problem—a sedentary lifestyle is just as dangerous as smoking, according to research. Get your employees moving with these workplace wellness ideas and giveaways so they can live a longer, healthier life. Bonus: Healthier employees mean lower health care costs for you and them.
Offer a standing desk alternative
Just because your staff needs to be at their desk doesn’t mean they have to sit. Invest in standing office desks—or treadmill desks in your office fitness center—to give your team an opportunity to get out of their chairs and still be productive. For employees who feel more comfortable sitting, offer them an exercise ball in place of a chair.
Hold walking meetings
While meetings help employees communicate and plan, they also frequently add more sitting time to their already sedentary day. Get everyone out of their seats and have them walk and talk in the hallways or on an outdoor path to get their blood pumping and their creative juices flowing.
Make phone calls a call to action
When a staff member’s phone rings, encourage them to use it as an opportunity to get moving. Suggest they try standing or walking during phone calls. Or give them a wellness giveaway, like a hand grip, to get their muscles flexing while chatting.
Create challenges
Offer challenges and fun rewards to get people away from their desks for a few minutes. Consider different monthly workplace wellness ideas, or create a simple points system with different values for:
- Using a standing desk for the day
- Taking the stairs instead of an elevator at work
- Walking to a coworker’s office instead of sending an email or calling
- Getting up and moving every hour
- Walking or biking to work
Give your best monthly mover a wellness giveaway, such as a cooler lunch bag, to make it easy to bring healthy meals from home.
Start a lunchtime walking club
While getting your employees up and moving throughout the day has its benefits, creating a walking club can boost your employees’ health and wellness. Studies have shown that walking just 30 minutes per day can:
- Improve mood
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce the risk for stroke up to 40%
- Improve creativity
Start a lunchtime walking club and use wellness giveaways, like a step tracker and a water bottle, to encourage employees to participate.
A healthy movement
Every time associates step away from their desk, it’s a step in the right direction for better health and productivity. Get your employees moving throughout the day with one or more of these workplace wellness ideas to help them feel their best.