Written By: Clara MastersDid you know that only 29% of employees report feeling engaged at work? The remainder are either indifferent to their work or completely uninterested. Given that engagement is tied to both wellness and productivity, it’s an issue that needs to be taken seriously.Luckily, there are lots of ways to inspire any workforce . Here are a few ideas:
1. Start a friendly fitness competition
Exercise offers so many benefits – improved concentration, better mood, and higher self-esteem to name but a few. Stage a simple steps-per-week contest, with employees competing either as individuals or teams to see who can walk furthest.You could also run a competition to see who can eat the most fruit and vegetables in a week. If you have sufficient resources, consider offering every employee a fitness tracker as an incentive to participate.
2. Offer regular massages or other holistic treatments
The office is the perfect place for a relaxing massage. It’s a quick, soothing way to relieve everyday work stress. Why not arrange for a massage therapist to come in every few weeks and offer in-chair treatments?Alternatively, you could invest in
office massage chairs for your employees. Either way, you’ll make it clear that you care about your workers’ wellbeing. This will increase their engagement and loyalty.
3. Make your workplace social
Good working relationships improve an employee’s job satisfaction and overall well-being. Give everyone plenty of room to sit and chat during their breaks, and offer opportunities to socialize outside of work. Hold informal celebrations when your team reaches a major milestone.Give your employees the chance to celebrate one another’s successes with an anonymous compliment box. Encourage everyone to put at least two compliments in the box every month. You can then distribute the compliments among your staff every few weeks as a morale booster.
4. Hold a walking meeting
Even well-planned meetings can become boring. Employees may lose concentration or even stop listening altogether. If it’s a meeting of only a few people, why not hold it on foot instead?Walking encourages blood flow to the brain and keeps everyone awake. Movement promotes the release of endorphins, which also boosts mood. You don’t have to go far – just strolling around the building can make all the difference.Related:
Catching People Doing What’s Right Along the Customer Experience Journey 5. Invest in standing desks
The right standing desk can reduce fatigue and lower the risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI).
Dr. Robert Schmerling advises that they can also reduce the risk of diabetes, obesity, and even premature death.The best models allow the user to adjust the height and angle to suit their preferences. Making work more comfortable will boost engagement and create a healthier workforce.
6. Give the canteen a makeover
According to dietitian Natalie Butler, a well-balanced diet is essential in maintaining concentration, productivity, and general engagement. Why not evaluate the meals, snacks, and drinks on offer at work and make healthier substitutions? You could start with simple changes, such as adding a fruit platter to the breakroom.
7. Promote an attitude of gratitude
Encourage everyone to celebrate their triumphs instead of worrying about setbacks. People who deliberately take a few minutes to feel grateful for the people and resources in their lives are healthier.
Research shows that gratitude practices at work are linked to fewer health complaints and a better mood.You can encourage everyone to embrace gratitude by directing them to a gratitude app such as Gratitude Diary. You could also ask people to write what they are thankful for on a gratitude board.Even on a low budget, you can quickly
improve employee health and engagementwith simple strategies. If you can afford to invest more time and money in the wellbeing of your workforce, so much the better! You’ll soon reap the benefits – ultimately, healthy employees will make more money.
