In this blog, we’re going to be looking at a few of the benefits of encouraging employees to take a more active and mindful approach to their working day:
The Benefits Of Encouraging Exercise In The Workplace
- Less Stress. A workplace wellness programme can inform employees on how to feel better as they go about their jobs, in both a mental and physical sense. Many workers spend too much of their workday sitting stationary at a computer screen, which is liable to cause neck, back, wrist and arm injuries, as well as fatigue. In addition to this, eye strain is very common in people who have to look at a screen for hours on end – explaining the importance of taking regular breaks.
In terms of encouraging physical exercise to combat stress, many forward-thinking companies introduce regular meditation and yoga sessions in order for employees to increase their mindfulness about their work, the environment that they’re in and how it affects their bodies. Many an office design in Southwark even introduces fitness spaces to cater for this or to give employees corporate memberships to local gyms in order to encourage them to keep fit.
- Less Absence. It makes total sense that employees who are healthier are less likely to take days off. Stress, anxiety and depression is responsible for over 500,000 people being absent from British workplace during 2016/17 – combine that with days taken off because of fatigue and illness, then that accounts for quite a large amount of lost productivity. Feeling fit, healthy, well-rested and bright will make people want to come to work and produce the best work they can. Employees feeling ill, stressed and tired, simply won’t help anyone – let alone them.
- Encourages A Better Work Performance. The upside to employees feeling fit in both body and mind, will see them being focused on the tasks in hand. Mindfulness, especially, is a key tool to use in helping people to re-focus. Using a well-honed office design in Southwark to inspire, encourage and to give them the tools they need to complete their work, you’ll find that a well-focused employee will produce better work than they would otherwise have done without these things.
- Fostering Teamwork. One of the great things about encouraging exercise is that it doesn’t have to be all about gruelling, sweaty gym sessions just to increase physical fitness – it can be about teamwork too. Many a company sets aside time for employees to undertake team activities together, giving them an opportunity to grow a sense of camaraderie. This of course, is vital in any workplace – growing these relationships will help the company to build a culture of collaboration which will pay off with a better in-work atmosphere and a happy team that are content and loyal to the business.
Although adopting a healthier lifestyle is ultimately a decision for the individual to take, employers must realise the impact that their workplaces has on the lives of their employees. By creating an atmosphere that shows that they feel valued and appreciated, this will go a long way in improving their mindfulness and drive to want to make the business a success – something that an office design in Southwark can help with.
High-Quality Office Design From Oaktree Interiors
If you’re interested in improving your office design in Southwark to cater for the health and wellness of your employees, then we at Oaktree can help. You don’t necessarily have to install a fully-equipped gym within your building – something as simple as a breakout, quiet or private space can help employees to rest and reflect away from the stresses of the work areas.
No matter the size, type or budget of your company – we can guarantee that our innovative in-house designers will be able to create the perfect work environment for you, based on whatever your requirements dictate.
Need to learn more? Then please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of our office fit out team today. You can give us a call on 0845 474 4556 or alternatively, you can send an e-mail to us at hello@oaktreeoffice.com
