You know how it is. You really want to get outside for walk or run, but the Great British weather has other ideas…
The cold and wet weather is setting in. Your staff no longer have to commute to work as more and more office based staff are working from home for the foreseeable future.
Home working practices tend to lead to reduced physical activity and increased screen time. In addition prolonged sitting, which home working without taking structured breaks could promote, is linked to a wide range of health complications: poor posture; back and neck pain; stiff and weak muscles; increased risk of diabetes and other chronic diseases; poor cardiovascular health. Even poor digestion.
The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) has published a series of interim findings from the first COVID-19 homeworker wellbeing study, looking at how working from home for an extended period is affecting the UK workforce.
Headline statistics show…
- More than half of the survey respondents reported new aches and pains, especially in the neck (58%), shoulder (56%) and back (55%), compared to their normal physical condition.
- Diet and exercise are on the wane with over half (60%) acknowledging that they are exercising less.
- Poor sleep and increased risk of exhaustion are also cause for concern.
- The mental health of survey respondents depicts a workforce with a lot on its mind.
So how are you helping to look after your staff and their health and wellbeing while they are working away from the office? Why not stand out from the crowd and help them to keep active at home.
If your workforce is important to you, their health and wellbeing should be too. Indoor classes at the gym have had to stop, staff are not walking to and from work, they are not taking proper breaks from their desk, they don’t have to walk far to get lunch…
Moving more and eating well are two things that are almost universally agreed upon as being important for health regardless of context. These are perhaps even more important if you are working from home; moving less, and with the biscuit tin close by. So what is the solution?
Why not provide your staff with a quick 30 minute workout, online, at lunch time. A reason for them to take a break and have some fun. The sessions will help boost energy, create a positive mindset, and improve overall day to day performance. A combination of various strategic body weight exercises will have your colleagues buzzing and ready for the afternoon ahead!
Rachel can bring these short burst strength based fitness sessions to your teams virtually – daily, weekly or monthly via Zoom.
Rachel has a passion for providing services to help strengthen your body and mind to empower you to adopt habits that will place you on the path to a healthier, happier future.
THE EVIDENCE:
Increasing levels of physical activity are proven to have a positive impact on physical health and mental wellbeing. Physical activity is also known to influence work-related outcomes such as reducing sickness absence. It increases mental alertness, energy and positive mood. Participation in regular physical activity can also increase our self-esteem and can reduce stress and anxiety. And when your heart and lung health improve, you have more energy to tackle daily chores.
Rachel can work with you to create a package tailored to you and your workforce.