Workplace Wellness : Does Your Company Support Exercise?

Exactly how does exercise fit into a full-time employee’s busy schedule? Oftentimes, it doesn’t.

One possible solution to this challenge is to make exercise a part of the work day. Obviously, being active at work is advantageous for personnel.

But employers also benefit from having fit, energetic and healthful personnel who are more productive.

The challenges

Your job takes up a lot of your time. In addition to the hours you spend actually working, there is the time required to get to and from work and take lunch and rest breaks during the work day.

In the end, there are a limited number of hours left over for the rest of your life. This work life imbalance is particularly true for Alberta, where statistics show that we work exceptionally hard.

A lot of jobs today are sedentary, and many Americans drive to work.  The pressures of work might also cause us to eat lunch at our desks and skip breaks.

Then, after work or on the weekends we juggle household chores, family responsibilities and social engagements.

Wellness Programs -  Get began on a workplace fitness program

Management plays a key role in building a culture that promotes health.  The leaders at your workplace influence the various policies and the informal or formal practices, and these policies and practices affect your attitude towards healthful active living.

Start by talking to your boss about the advantages of a healthful active worksite.  The best way to ensure the success of a worksite fitness program is to have the executive management on side and cheering you on.

Ask your boss to consider taking these actions -

• Send a memo or message about the importance of health and healthy living that encourages staff to take an active break each day.

• Provide for flexible work hours that help staff to be more physically active. for  instance, they may need to take a longer lunch break to attend an exercise class, making up the time by coming to work early or staying late.

• Make available a meeting room or other suitable office space for noon-hour yoga or exercise classes, and hire a teacher to lead them, or use videos.

If your boss agrees to support a workplace fitness program, do not forget to say thanks.

You do not need an onsite fitness center

Only very large companies can afford onsite fitness facilities such as exercise equipment or squash courts. Still, most employers can take other inexpensive steps to support staff members who wish to become more active.

For  instance -

• Arrange for discounted fees for staff members at a health club, recreation centeror YMCA facility.

• Install showers and a place to hang a towel. (Be certain the showers are cleaned regularly and that women who use them will feel secure.)

• Install bike racks or a locked enclosure that is safe, conveniently located and well lighted.

• Hold walking meetings and set up lunch-hour walking groups

• Make staff aware about safe and pleasant walking routes near the workplace, as well as nearby facilities that offer exercise plans (such as walking, swimming, running, yoga, stretching).

• Hire a licensed instructor to teach staff about health, fitness and how to become more active.

Any size and type of workplace can support staff who wish to be physically active. It’s highly desirable to get upper-level management on side.

Even if your boss is not supportive, you can still find ways to get moving more. Make sure to set up activities for groups and person, and encourage your coworkers to join in.