Four steps to developing healthy and productive employees

Business Insights
08/08/2017

While it’s important for people to actually show up to work, there’s no guarantee that they’ll be super productive once they’re at their desks. 

We’re not machines. We all have physical and mental aliments from time-to-time. 

Most of us have outside responsibilities and interests that can, sometimes, distract us.


It is possible, however, to create a positive environment that will give employees the best chance of doing their best work. A great employer can do a lot to influence the health, happiness and productivity of his or her team. 

We’re not talking about things that people tend to receive badly (like weight loss contests that have no place at work), but positive steps that encourage people to be the best version of themselves. 


In my experience, it’s those businesses that offer support and encouragement to their employees, which get the full benefit of a healthy and happy workforce. Here are some tips on how to inspire, rather than alienate your team.


1. Focus on wellbeing rather than fitness

Fitness means different things to different people, so think in terms of wellbeing rather than fitness alone.

Exercising before work can make you positive and energetic, and short bursts of exercise before and during the working day can help you to have a more productive day at the office. 

But it’s not the only way to boost productivity. Mindfulness, for example, has been found to ease anxiety, depression and pain - so some people could benefit from a mindfulness programme at work.

Increasing movement during the day has also been found to benefit health, so encouraging employees to simply walk around the office more can really pay dividends. For others, a regular massage might ease the strain of a bad back, or yoga can help to focus the mind.

A flexible wellness programme will find the best way to support everyone in their quest for wellbeing.


2. Focus on the individual

Many businesses, and health insurance firms, love standardised programmes because they think they are easier to manage, but personalised programmes don’t have to be complex or an admin nightmare.

By providing employees with personal wellbeing budgets, managers allow their individual team members to tailor their own wellness programme. 

Rather than paying for a gym membership they most probably won’t use, employers can fund kick-boxing, a few hours at the salon, a regular Zumba class, or a mindfulness course. 

It’s hard to create a generic programme that covers every possible level of ability, or caters to every taste, so leave it up to your employees to find something they’d really enjoy. It might inspire others to try something new, too.


3. Back up your words with actions

The best way to encourage people to be more active is to model that behaviour at the top of the business.

If managers leave their desks to talk to co-workers, rather than email them, that sends a message that you don’t need to be tied to your chair for eight hours.

Managers and team leaders who go out to lunch, go on coffee runs, have walking meetings, or take a 10-minute walk after a conference call (and who suggest these actions to their teams) set an example. 

They let employees know that it’s okay to be away from their desks and to take regular breaks. In fact, it’s beneficial to the business for them to move, rather than to be in front of a computer all day. Many have their best ideas when active.


4. Don’t ignore mental health

Mental health affects our physical health. Left untreated, stress, depression and anxiety – which are all common in every workplace - can make people physically ill too.

Creating an environment that supports not just physical health, but mental health, will help to improve the overall wellbeing of your team. 

You could look at when your team does their best work, for example, and let them create working patterns or flexible hours that suit them (and you’ll benefit too). Be supportive when someone isn’t feeling great, and help them manage their mental health at work as far as you can.

For example, you might be able to offer a physical space where team members can go to take a short break from work, to recharge, so they come back refreshed and full of ideas. 

Some companies offer a meditation space, or a relaxation area away from the buzz of the office. 

Or you could create a benefits programme that provides funds for use on mindfulness activities as well as fitness activities.


These simple steps will work for any business – both large and small – and help you reap the rewards of a healthy, happy, and motivated workforce.


Jennifer Saxon, Senior Director of Corporate Marketing for MINDBODY