Corporate Wellness Can not Only Improve Your Health but Also Your Income Potential
Corporate wellness has become a buzz word in the workplace over the past few years. Employers want their employees to be healthy to help improve productivity and to help reduce injuries as well as improve overall satisfaction with their jobs. I meet people in the clinic every week who are experiencing pain and/or symptoms from too much sitting or inactivity at work. Corporate wellness programs are becoming a way to help decrease some of the side effects of our jobs. The good news is that there are several activities that can alleviate your symptoms and decrease the stress of inactivity. As a extra benefit, studies have shown an increase in productivity at work when workers routinely exercise.
1. Use the stairs instead of elevators.
If you have to go up several floors in your building during the day, you might as well exercise while doing it.
2. Park toward the back of the parking lot and walk into and out of work.
Don’t circle the lot for minutes looking for a spot close to the front door. Park at the back of the lot and walk to the entrance. That extra 100 yards adds up if done every day.
3. Start a walking club or fitness class with your colleagues.
Running, walking, yoga, aerobics, and other forms of exercise with others will improve collegiality among coworkers. Meeting to do it together will provide motivation by making it less likely that you will skip the exercise sessions.
4. Replace your office chair with a stability ball.
It is not exercise, per se, but you can improve your core strength by using a Swiss ball as your office desk chair.
5. Wear running shoes to work.
Wear your dress shoes only when necessary. Not only will the running shoes help with walking longer distances from the parking lot or during breaks at the office, but they will also serve as a reminder to use them if you see them throughout the day.
6. Break up exercise into small periods during breaks.
While 30-60 minutes of walking is ideal, several 10-15 minute sessions can be effective as well. Look for breaks in your schedule and use them to perform some of your fitness activities.
7. Keep some dumbbells or resistance bands at your desk.
Similar to walking, weights and other forms of resistance training require little space or preparation time. A few exercises in each small break can add up to a complete workout.
8. Replace email and the phone as a means of communication.
Rather than pushing emails back and forth to coworkers, get up and walk to their desks. Talk in person. You might be surprised that you actually accomplish more in less time, and you will burn a few calories each time too!
If you are interested in a specific corporate wellness program that can be performed at your work or you are experiencing pain at work we can help.
As a reminder, all patients do not need a referral to go to physical therapy. Call now to make an appointment, and we’ll send all necessary communications to your primary care provider.
Jon Hill, DPT, Licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy with Siskiyou PT
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