Active improvements: why exercising at work matters

It’s no secret that physical activity brings a host of benefits. Whether it’s a short walk, a gym session or a stretch and flow yoga class, regular exercise can boost your wellbeing, helping to lower anxiety and stress, increase energy levels and reduce your risk of disease.

But staying active in a busy job isn’t always easy.

The solution? Find ways to incorporate exercise and physical activity into your team’s working day. This will benefit their wellbeing and the health of the organisation – through increased job satisfaction, better productivity and reduced absenteeism.

Sam Guy CMgr is lead brand strategist at The Emanate Agency. He says that he’s having more and more conversations with people who are feeling removed from themselves, their work and their peers. He argues that integrating physical activity into employees’ daily routines is “crucial” for helping them reconnect.

• Is your business guilty of wellbeing washing?

“Companies need to go beyond wellness perks like gym memberships,” says Sam. “Walking meetings, movement breaks and active workstations can help employees stay energised, engaged and creative throughout the day.”

Other ideas for broadening the take-up of exercise include group fitness classes, desk yoga sessions, clubs for running and swimming, and group stretching sessions. And offering incentives and rewards for employees to stay active can make that physical commitment much more fun and interesting.