Your employees can be the best and brightest in the business, but if they are sitting sedentary at their desk for eight hours a day with no stimulation of any kind, even the sharpest of minds can become sluggish. This can start a domino effect and soon office morale can sink into a downward spiral of anxiety, increased sick days and increasing stress. If you are noticing that your employees are losing their gusto, incorporating fitness and an active lifestyle in the workplace can be good solution that will help them not only in the workplace but in their personal lives as well.

Having a business that is full of employees who are physically and mentally energized will help to increase employees’ happiness and overall productivity in the workplace. The Australian Bureau of Statistics recommend adults aged 18-64 years do 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate or 75 minutes to 2.5 hours of vigorous physical activity per week. They also recommend doing muscle strengthening activities on at least 2 days of each week. There are benefits to working out before you head to the office and benefits to working out after you’ve finished for the day, but if you have a particularly busy schedule, taking a midday break from your desk to get your heart pumping can definitely have its advantages. Here are some top reasons why incorporating workouts into your workday can be particularly beneficial:

1. Enhances your mood and energy levels

Put down that energy drink and go for a walk to pump up end-of-day energy levels. Exercise realises endorphins and endorphins make you happy, happy people are better co-workers, employees and friends.

   2. Reduces your chance of illness

The benefits of regular physical activity include reductions in the risks of health conditions such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, certain forms of cancer, and injuries. Not to mention it will help you get over that nasty bug that’s sweeping through the office quicker.

   3. Reduce stress

Exercise is a proven way to reduce stress – so taking a break in the middle of the day to work up a sweat is a great way to deal with looming deadlines and difficult co-workers. When we exercise, our brains produce more serotonin, a chemical which acts as a mood stabiliser that helps to relieve depression and reduce stress, as such exercising can be a much better solution that crying in an office toilet cubicle!

   4. Improves your problem-solving skills

Staring at a computer for hours on end is not the best way to achieve creativity and sometimes it seems the longer you stare the farther away the solution seems to get. When we exercise, our blood flow and oxygen levels are increased which improve our cognitive performance, helping us to solve those tricky problems at work.

   5. Boost your confidence

Not only can regular exercising help increase your sense of well-being, but it helps to boost your confidence. As a confident employee, you’ll find yourself going far in an organization, and not only will you feel better, but you’ll act better as well.

On a personal note, I’m thrilled to be part of an organization who has incorporated fitness into its corporate culture. On Monday’s we have a lunchtime PT session to get our hearts pumping and we achieve mindfulness on Wednesday afternoons with a one-hour yoga session. Not only do I feel happier with my own body and mind, it’s also a great opportunity to bond with my colleagues. By incorporating physical activity into the workplace, Lotus People has created a thriving office environment where employees can reach personal and company goals while maintaining their physical and mental edge.

If you require temporary staff or are looking for temporary work, please reach out to us on info@lotuspeople.com.au or 02 8274 4635