Despite the fact most of us know about all the harm poor eating habits and physical inactivity can do, many people are still not heeding the warnings: statistics Canada reports that “two out of every three adults in Canada are overweight or obese.” Cheap and accessible fat, sugar and salt-laden foods, large portion sizes and less active lifestyles together have expanded waistlines and left a lot of us feeling unmotivated, sluggish or unwell.  Work is also less physically demanding, with many employees sitting down at a desk for the majority of their day and automation often eliminating the need for hard physical labour.

And while this lifestyle may seem easier, it’s hard on the body and can emotionally and physically drag your workforce down. The promotion of health and fitness at work may seem like a luxury, but when most leaders learn the facts—a healthy workforce is more productive, with fewer absences, increased productivity and higher morale—they realize that it’s a necessity and, in fact, can be a competitive advantage.

Support for Success

It’s easier to succeed at an active and healthy lifestyle when you have the support of family and friends. The workplace is a great place for these partnerships to happen. If a team is going to lunch together or ordering food in, it will be easier for those wanting healthier options to speak up, knowing they have the support of others around them. As a leader, you can encourage teamwork amongst your staff when it comes to fitness and healthy food choices. Why not:

Create a club. Offer activities for your employees to get involved in before work, at lunch, or after the workday. There is no simpler way to exercise over an hour-long lunch break than walking. Lead a new initiative by committing to going yourself. You’ll show employees you can “walk the walk,” and might even glean some valuable insights about work along the way. If you want to encourage some healthy competition, offer a prize for the person who walks the farthest or takes the most steps that month. If you really want to encourage team spirit, how about an inter-office baseball or soccer league?  Invest in some t-shirts, find a location and challenge another branch or team.

Raise the roof on fundraising. Nothing motivates people to action like a worthy cause. Find out what charities are close to the hearts of your employees and encourage your team to get involved. If you really want to get their buy-in, send out a survey and take a vote on which initiative to take part in. Whether you’re building houses together, rowing in a dragon boat race, or cheering each other on at a charity basketball  tournament,  when  it’s  all  for  a  good  cause,  everybody  wins.  It’ll boost your  business’ reputation, the health of your team, and the community or charity you are supporting.

Bring in the professionals. Offer classes that help relieve stress or have a registered dietician come in to talk about making healthy food choices. Yoga in the workplace, for example, is becoming more and more common. It doesn’t take up a lot of space, it's not loud, requires no equipment and can help staff feel calmer, renewed and more focused when it’s over.

Ditch rich food. When you’re in hurry or having cravings, it’s easiest to grab what is closest. Don’t let accessibility to junk food be the reason your staff are choosing a candy bar over a healthier option.  Is your lunchroom vending machine weighing your workplace down? Ask your vending machine provider if there are healthier options on offer or look for a different service that will. Instead of bringing a box of donuts to the next staff meeting, why not put out a bowl of fresh, washed fruit? This small change sends a subtle yet important message and can go a long way in encouraging and promoting healthier choices for your staff.