The importance of wellness in the office

In recent years, many companies in a wide range of industries are coming to realize that the mental and physical health of their teammates is the foundation of a well-functioning business. This has only become more true as events like the pandemic have added stress to people’s lives both in and out of the office. You’ve probably heard people talking about ideas like wellness and mindfulness, but you might be a little unclear as to how you can implement those ideas in your everyday work to improve team morale. If so, here are a few easy, but effective tips for doing just that.

Monday meditation. We’ve all dreaded a few Mondays in our careers. But starting the week on the right foot can be crucial to both productivity and your team’s wellness. Giving people something to look forward to on Mondays can help mitigate Sunday and Monday morning sluggishness. We suggest Monday meditations. Give your employees some time dedicated to decompressing. Meditation can take many forms. You can put on a guided meditation audio, or simply give your employees a moment of silence to reflect on the upcoming week. This can help improve their moods and sharpen their focus for the tasks ahead.

Get people on their feet. If you work in an office environment, at first glance, it might not seem like a big strain on your body. But sitting at a desk and staring at a computer all day can take its toll on your mood and your work. It can even lead to long-term health problems such as persistent aches and pains. Encourage your team to take walking breaks, or even work standing at times if possible. This will help them retain normal blood flow, improve their posture, and give them an opportunity to “reset” their brains by moving their bodies. You could even organize group activities with light exercise.

Be mindful of workload and hours. At the end of the day, meditation and exercise can only help so much if your employees are stressed out due to an excessive workload and long hours. Keep up an open, honest rapport with your teammates individually about how they are handling their work and what can be done to improve it. Stress will negatively affect their wellness and their work. Also consider allowing flexible hours for your employees if possible. Some people may thrive with more rigid structures, but others may still be able to get all their work done while also having a flexible schedule that gives them greater time for rest, meeting their family obligations, or going to the gym. This will improve their morale and give them a reason to be a committed member of your team.

But these are just a few ideas. If you’ve had any experience with improving wellness in the workplace, or you want to discuss anything else with us, don’t hesitate to reach out.