Active Employees are Happier, More Productive

Want to increase productivity at work? Increase physical activity! The more active you are during the day, the more productive you will be.

We all know that exercise is good for us because it keeps us healthy and happy. But it can also help increase workplace output since active, content employees work harder and more efficiently than tired and burnt out staff members. Plus, employees who sit all day are more prone to conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease.

So, here are some tips to get you moving during the work day.

1. Walk More While it may seem obvious, humans are tempted to find the closest parking spot to the door. Opting for a spot further away is a simple way to get in extra steps before you even get to work and at the end of the day. When you are inside, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Work on a really high floor? Commit to taking the stairs one-third or half of the way and ride the remainder—some effort is better than none at all. Especially since according to Prevention, taking the stairs can burn enough calories in a year to negate the average annual one-to-two-pound weight gain in adults.

2. Stand, Don’t Sit You may have seen a trend in standing desks…and for a good reason. Research from Texas A&M University’s Health Science Center School of Public Health, reported in the Washington Post states that standing is not only good for workers’ health but that standing desks also significantly improve productivity.

Not a fan of standing desks? Try standing meetings. Rather than gathering around the conference table, stand up in an office or take your meeting outside and enjoy some invigorating fresh air while doing some vertical brainstorming. All of these things increase brain activity, in turn, improving productivity.

1. Get Moving—Any Way You Can You know yourself better than anyone else so think about what things get you excited and moving. Some people love to work out in the morning, but others benefit greatly from some mid-day activity. If that is the case for you, form a lunch-time activity group to work out with—consider office yoga, a long walk or jog, or even just some gentle stretching followed by meditation. Having a group of peers to work out with makes it more fun and motivating.

There are so many options available to get you active and moving during the work day so find what works for you and stick to it!