5 Ways to Encourage Healthy Habits in the Workplace

Career Management

If you’re a leader in your workplace, your employees’ health may not be something you consider part of your managerial strategy, but it should be. It can have a significant impact on your team’s performance.

A focus on wellness can lead to improved productivity, morale, loyalty and retention. (Tweet this thought.)Healthy employees also take fewer days off to care for themselves and family members.

Yes, you read that right. Improving the health of an employee actually impacts their entire family’s health, since the benefits of those new habits — such as cooking at home and exercising regularly — often carry over to their children and spouse, leading the employee to need fewer sick days.

Of course, you can’t mandate that your team members make better decisions when it comes their health, so what can you do? Change the company culture. Here’s how:

1. Discourage “Toughing It Out”

Many employees think they’re showing their dedication to the job by showing up to work even though they’re battling a cold, or they may be afraid to take off vacation time they wanted to use otherwise. But just one sick person in the office can lead to multiple people needing to take time off.

Instead, make it clear that you don’t value coming into the office even though you’re sick. Be aware of how you respond when someone calls in sick. Make sure you’re showing more concern about how they’re feeling than how they’ll get their work done. You can also provide options that allow employees to work from home through access to a laptop, cellphone and a secure connection to company files.

If someone does come into the office looking under the weather, politely but firmly tell them to go home and rest up. And above all, set a good example by staying away when you’re ill.

2. Rethink the Snacks

Many offices keep their break room stocked with candy bars, chips and soda — not exactly healthy options for employees. Eliminate these temptations, and replace them with healthier options, such as trail mix, bottled water and fresh fruit.

For company parties or when ordering lunch for your team, don’t rely on pizza or fast food. Select a caterer or restaurant with healthy options, like salads or wraps.

3. Offer Classes

Yoga, cooking, tai chi, gardening, aerobics, stress management — the options are endless. The best way to find out what your employees are interested in is to ask them. Create an informal survey, and plan based on the feedback.

You may even be able to get employees involved (and keep costs down) by seeing if anyone has a skill they’d like to teach the group. Often, that can lead to more interesting and fun options than you can come up with yourself.

4. Organize Break-Time Activities

It can be a group walk, bike ride or a team baseball game. Get your employees out from behind their desks and moving!

Be sure to attend yourself. As a leader, it sends the message that you support the activity, which can help motivate those who may be reluctant to join. Who doesn’t want to impress the boss while having a little fun?

5. Take Meetings Outdoors

If it’s a nice day, go enjoy it together. This is particularly effective for brainstorming meetings. The change of scene can help employees relax, open up and get creative. You can find a picnic table at a nearby park or lay down blankets for the meeting. Or bring along a Frisbee and toss it to each person when they “have the floor.”

If possible, you can also allow your employees the option to take their laptops outside to work regularly. The fresh air can help improve their physical, mental and emotional health.

Whatever managerial strategies you employ, it’s crucial that you “walk the walk.” It isn’t just about setting an example — it’s also about sending a message that you support your employees making healthier decisions, even if they’re a little outside the box.

What are some of the ways you’ve encouraged healthy habits in the workplace? Share in the comments!

Image: Flickr

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