Encouraging employees, and each other, improves delivery of service and morale.
You just can't argue the virtues of fitness.
It comes as no surprise that a healthy workforce contributes to a healthy community. And what better time than now, as we head in to the dog days of summer, to remind ourselves of what we can do, and not what we don't do, to improve our physical, mental and emotional health.
Everybody knows it's important to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day to contribute to a healthy lifestyle. The benefits of getting our heart rates moving include clarity of mind and increased production of endorphins (that stuff in our brains that helps make us happy and has been reported to provide pain relief similar to that of morphine ... I'll take that). Staying active also gives us more energy to do the things we want to do as well as the things we have to do, like going to work every day.
Having a healthy and productive staff contributes to the delivery of service in community living residences. It also contributes to the bottom line, an important consideration in not-for-profit organizations, because healthy employees means fewer group benefit claims.
Although many people are inclined to go big or go home when considering a workout regime, that approach often doesn't end in success. Vic Keller, a personal trainer and owner of Vic Fitness in Winnipeg, Man., says long-lasting, total body health is easier to achieve if people have the right information and are committed to a workout that matches both their personal goals and their lifestyles.
"Gentle adjustments, purposefully and in the right areas, make total-body health sustainable and easy to do," he says.
In addition to increasing their productivity, employees who are feeling good tend to take fewer sick days, have higher morale and are more inclined to work toward the organization's mission and vision statements. Success reflected in both a healthier lifestyle and higher workplace engagement can also inspire those around them who haven't yet realized the benefits of exercise to jump on board. And while organizations in every industry, including not-for-profits, suffer during the nationwide labour shortage, it's nice to keep the staff you do have hanging around and in good health.
Information Key for Total Body Health
Baby steps.
Our natural instinct, as we start adjusting our belts to compensate for our holiday indulgences, is to get off that couch and dive right into the exercise program we used to do when we were a little more used to exercising. And while this approach can be fun for a while, we will often sacrifice our workout time for other priorities just as quickly as we started to get moving.
The answer to a successful fitness program, says Vic Keller of Vic Fitness, is to get the right information for long-lasting, total-body health.
"Consulting a qualified fitness instructor teaches the right heart rate for the individual and by working together, you can enter into a cardio, strength training and nutrition plan that will improve your chances for success," says Keller.
The benefits of a good training program are measured not only in reduced stress and improved productivity in the workplace, it also shows in your overall health. A consistent training program improves fitness levels, increases bone density, reduces body fat and is one of the most powerful antidepressants out there.
"When training properly all organs perform better (don't forget your brain is an organ) and the brain will eventually increase production of endorphines during the workout and for hours after," says Keller.
Getting started is a good first step to a healthier lifestyle at home and at work. Be careful out there but get going and stay going for a healthier you.
You're worth it!
Healthy Employees Save Money
Healthy-lifestyle incentives are evidenced in organizations where the employer pays for some or all of the benefit package, says Dawna Atamanchuck of Bowes Benefits.
"A healthy workforce results in fewer claims for prescription drugs, especially antidepressants and pain relievers, and can result in reduced annual increases in premiums."
Encouraging employees in their goals for a healthier lifestyle can also reduce the stress levels, which can lead to fewer mental health days and short-term disability claims. With 57 per cent of respondents reporting moderate-to-high stress, according to an April 2007 Wellness Checkpoint survey, supporting a proactive approach, rather than reacting to crises, can really contribute to the bottom line.
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