In today’s highly competitive business landscape, employers look for any advantage they can find, and boosting productivity is at the top of their lists. Beyond finding new efficiencies and fresh ways to motivate employees, businesses can also leverage their wellness programs to improve employee health and productivity.

Healthy Lifestyles Improve Productivity

Employees who live healthier lifestyles can have a significantly better impact on a workplace’s productivity for a number of reasons. For example, research has shown that employees who eat healthy during the workday tend to be 25 percent more productive than co-workers who snack on junk food. Employees who get regular exercise and eat healthier diets also have a 27 percent lower instance of absenteeism. The effect employees’ wellness has on a company’s bottom line is clear.

 

This is why many businesses are prioritizing the health and wellness of their employees. Programs and initiatives that are aimed at improving employees’ overall health and wellness are on the rise, and many businesses have seen significant improvements in their productivity as a result. A healthier workplace where employees pay attention to their wellness leads to numerous benefits. Employees who take better care of themselves can be more successful at dealing with stress, which leads to higher job satisfaction and better retention. A healthier workplace also means fewer employee sick days, which can improve productivity substantially. Employers who establish strong wellness programs in their workplaces also see clear benefits in the form of lower costs for health care coverage.

Simple Steps to Workplace Wellness

Although many companies have addressed workplace wellness by investing in on-site gyms or organizing fitness programs, the fact is that even some simple changes in behavior can make a huge difference and lead to a healthier workplace. For example, employees remembering to get up from their desks to take a brief walk a few times a day can contribute to a healthier workplace. Employers can help create a culture of wellness within their workplaces by focusing on providing healthy snacks and meals for employees. An investment in ergonomic desk chairs also can make a difference by cutting down on health issues such as back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome that can lead to lost hours and increased health care costs. There are many exercises employees can do, even while they are seated at their desks, that can improve their overall health and wellness.

 

Following many of these easy tips and others can make a significant difference in overall health and wellness within the workplace. This can lead to some serious competitive advantages in the form of increased productivity and costs savings. The accompanying workplace wellness guide from Aligned Modern Health lists some of the most compelling reasons employers should concentrate on wellness, as well as some of the most effective tips for achieving a healthier workplace. A business can’t afford to be left behind in any aspect of competition, and that includes having the healthiest and most productive workforce.

 

Guest blogger Elizabeth Sexton is a content specialist with a passion for health, wellness, lifestyle, and pop culture. Her work has been featured on numerous outlets such as CBS, Eater.com, MTV, and wWeKnowMemes. She currently oversees Digital Media for Aligned Modern Health in Chicago.