Many of the business owners and CEO’s I speak with bring up the subject of health and wellness in the workplace. They ask me, “How can it actually help my business?”
Admittedly, it can be difficult to see the effects a healthy lifestyle can have until you actually start to incorporate lifestyle changes that make you feel better and healthier.
Here’s a look at five benefits that promoting a healthy company culture and lifestyle can have on you and your business.
1. Improved concentration.
Does your business operate better when everyone is turning up for their shift at work energetic and ready to work hard? Do you ever have times when you get into the office and it takes you a bit longer to ease into your day and become productive? Well, living a healthier lifestyle can help you and your employees more focused and alert to tackle the day ahead. Physical activity reduces stress.
According to the ADAA, “Exercise is also considered vital for maintaining mental fitness, and it can reduce stress. Studies show that it is very effective at reducing fatigue, improving alertness and concentration, and at enhancing overall cognitive function. This can be especially helpful when stress has depleted your energy or ability to concentrate.”
2. Perform under pressure.
Being healthy involves working on yourself mentally as well as physically which can positively influence your ability to work well under pressure.
Promoting a company culture of health and wellness, through personal fitness or group activities has lasting positive effects. A fitness regimen brings about challenges that you have to push through in order to achieve desired results. This requires mental fortitude and strength when times get tough. Sticking to a fitness routine will condition you to put in the work even when times get tough. This training mindset carries over into the workplace.
3. Get sick less often.
It is well known and documented that keeping an active and healthy lifestyle can have tremendous positive effects on your ability to stay ailment free. “Following general good-health guidelines is the single best step you can take toward keeping your immune system strong and healthy. Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when protected from environmental assaults and bolstered by healthy-living strategies … (Harvard Health Publications).”
Studies “show that there are actually physiological changes in the immune system that happen when a person exercises. Cells that promote immunity circulate through the system more rapidly, and they’re capable of killing both viruses and bacteria. After exercising, the body returns to normal within a few hours, but a regular exercise routine appears to extend periods of immunity (EXOS).”
4. Bolster productivity.
Improved productivity is linked to all of the previous points.
If you have better concentration and train your mind to be stronger, then you are able to work better under pressure. Couple this with less time off due to illness and long-term productivity and business goals are more easily achieved. Ultimately, if you are fitter and healthier your body will be used to working at a higher intensity level, so when it is time to plan your next product launch and tackle back-to-back client meetings you’re physically up for the challenge.
5. Sustain goal-enhancing routines.
Sticking to daily routines that gradually improve your health enhances your life and your work. For instance, if you practice yoga in the morning, blend a fruit juice drink before work, go for a brisk walk during lunch, and take 15 minutes to journal about your day before bed; you become used to performing a routine. Thus you become more task and goal-oriented.
This secondary and subtle shift in mentality can make all the difference in your business. As you become more task and goal-oriented, you are likely to respond to improve scheduling and make your day more manageable.
Small changes can yield big results. These seemingly little things add up to a transformed bigger picture. And when you change the bigger picture … that is when amazing things happen.
This article has been edited and condensed.
Michael McDonnell is a ‘Lifestyle Architect’ and author and creator of “7-Days to Ditch the Yo-Yo Weight Loss Cycle.” Connect with @M_McDonnell2 on Twitter and Facebook at The Healthy Hangout.
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