Ideas For Maintaining Fitness In The Office

With obesity and disease rates climbing in industrialized countries, people need help staying fit. Your company can make simple changes to help employees maintain good health.
See The Signs Of Stress
Stress management is important to well being for many reasons.

- Stress lowers the immune system, making you more vulnerable to disease and viruses.

- Stress makes people more irritable and hard to collaborate with. This can be problematic in meetings, especially when working directly with a client. You should always keep on your best face for a client.

- Stress can lower productivity. It is hard to focus when your mind is clouded with too many things at once. This can lead to migraines and stomachaches.
So reduce stress in the lives of employees with these techniques:
- Offer free back, shoulder and neck massages. These are the places where stress really builds up in the body. So hire a massage therapist to come in once a week and give free 10-minute massages on breaks. Of course, you may want to limit the amount of massages each employee may receive within a certain time period.

- If an employee is constantly complaining of aches and pains, refer him or her to a chiropractor. This may fall more in the realm of their health care provider, but you can at least make the suggestion or pay for the initial visit. Chiropractors help keep stress off the spine and neck, as well.

- Remind employees about programs offered in the benefits package that help with problems like smoking, weight management, and stress management.
Bring In The Plants
Research has shown that plants have a peaceful, calming effect on humans. Plants in the office can help add a touch of nature and even clam disgruntled employees. Those who may have volatile, touchy personalities may be more serene in the presence of plant life. There is a reason that a certain amount of green space is required in commercial properties, after all.
So install some small trees and flowers in planters throughout the office. This will help improve air quality and quality of work. Plus vegetation helps decorate the office in a friendly, inviting way.
Encourage Friendships
It can be hard to take a work relationship to the next level of friendship. Creating venues for it can help.
- So buy tickets for the next soccer game and invite the office to a suite where employees can mingle. Connecting outside of work helps build friendly relationships that actually improve the quality of work.

- Plan a company picnic. It is important to bring the whole company together when possible. If it is too large an entity, bring several offices together for seminars and retreats. Interaction helps employees see their part in a working, progressing company. It helps improve each individual's relationship with the company.
Health Benefits Plan
Something else that makes for a good employer/employee relationship is a good benefits package. When people are given options they appreciate what they have more. Help them decide which health plan is best for them. Hold a question and answer session about the benefits of each plan.
Make sure everyone knows about his or her dental and life insurance packages. Some people may want to add to their life insurance premium. Help them through this process. The medical insurance company should have a list of available, cheaper providers within the network. Make sure that this list is easy to find and that the company is reachable by phone.
Start implementing these ideas to make a difference in the lives of those around you. Do what you can to help employees achieve good health.