Health Wellness ProgramHealth and Wellness Programs and Wellness Program Consulting

How does physical activity fit into a full-time worker’s busy schedule? All too often, it doesn’t.

One possible solution to this challenge is to make exercise a part of the work day. Clearly, being active at work is beneficial for employees.

But employers also benefit from having fit, energetic and healthy 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’s 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.

Many jobs today are sedentary, and many Americans drive to work.  The pressures of work may 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 worksite 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 benefits of a healthful active worksite.  The best way to ensure the success of a worksite fitness program is to have the upper-level 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.

• Give for flexible work hours that help staff to be more physically active. for  instance, they might 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 worksite fitness program, don’t forget to say thanks.

You don’t need an on-site fitness club

Only very big businesses can afford onsite fitness facilities such as exercise equipment or squash courts. Still, most businesss can take other affordable steps to support employees who wish to become more active.

For example –

• Arrange for discounted fees for personnel at a fitness center, recreation centeror YMCA facility.

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

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

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

• Make workers aware of safe and pleasant walking routes near the worksite, in addition to nearby facilities that offer exercise programs (like walking, swimming, running, yoga, stretching).

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

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

Even when 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 peers to join in.