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The healthier your teams are, the more your business will thrive. Fact.
Better yet, the relationship between health and employee performance is undeniable.
Healthier employees present:
- Lower absenteeism
- Increased productivity
- Boosted confidence
And with an economic downturn on the horizon, you must put your employees’ wellbeing – physical and mental – front of mind if you want your business to succeed.
It’s really that simple.
But how do you keep your employees engaged? You build healthy routines and keep them connected with friends and family.
Don’t underestimate the power of social connections
For years, studies have shown that a lack of social connection is a greater detriment to health than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure.
In the age of technology, it’s easy to get wrapped up in our work and lose touch with the outside world.
All too often, employees feel isolated from their friends and family. But make no mistake: social connection is crucial for employee wellbeing. The more we engage with other people face-to-face – or virtually for remote workers – the healthier we mentally and physically become.
But for some, exercising is a bit of a bore. And that’s why having a workout buddy has become so popular. When you’re working out with a friend or going for a long walk with a family member, it’s less about exercising and more about maintaining those connections.
So, why not pair the two together? After all, sharing is caring.
Here are some ways you can engage your employees with a blend of exercising and social connection:
Walking meetings
Many businesses shifted to instant messaging software during the pandemic. Hybrid workers are used to Teams meetings or jumping on a quick call to mull work over.
So, why not get your trainers on and get out of the house for 30 minutes while discussing upcoming projects? You could even use walking meetings for 1:1s or team brainstorming sessions.
Can’t get outside? Take a trip to the kitchen for a drink. Get away from the desk for at least five minutes to get your blood flowing.
Rewards
The more employees move, the more points they can get, which can be turned into gift vouchers, a gift from our online store, or a charitable donation.
Walking = rewards = happy employees!
Make it fun
Human beings are competitive by nature. Start a healthy competition in the office by running a month-long step challenge.
For remote workers, you could encourage group “workout” or meditations sessions via Teams to make sure everyone in your organisation is included.
When you incorporate fun, people stay motivated for longer and are more likely to form sustainable habits.
Involve friends & family
Make it a family affair. Get your employees to inspire their loved ones by setting up their own challenges! With our digital health and wellbeing platform, you can invite up to 10 friends and family to join in step challenges, creating healthy habits, and they’ll even get access to our daily wellbeing tips!
At Virgin Pulse, we’re on a mission to change lives for good. And that starts with the heart of your business – your employees.
A whopping 62% of organisations saw considerable improvements in employee engagement!
Need help motivating your people, strengthening team relationships, and lowering employee churn? Book a free demo with our wellbeing experts today, and we’ll show you exactly how you can keep employee wellbeing a priority in 2023 and beyond.