It may seem ironic, but the busier our working lives are, the more us office workers find ourselves sitting down. Do you ever get to the end of your working day and realise you’ve hardly left your desk? Studies show that fitness (or lack thereof) is heavily influenced by how much time we spend stationary. In a previous post, we discussed how fitness and productivity are inextricably linked and the effect this could be having on our performance in the workplace. In this blog, we’re going to give you some actionable tips that will allow you to get fit and stay focused.
In an article published in October 2014, the NHS discussed how sitting for long periods of time has been linked to ‘being overweight and obese, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and premature death’. While this sounds scary, small changes to the working day can help to prevent future health issues before they arise - starting with taking regular breaks. Working hard is a commendable trait in any employee, but prolonged periods of concentration mean your staff will find themselves sitting for longer than is healthy. From using free standing desks to walking around the office, there’s plenty we can do to keep active. And if standing up doesn’t break a sweat, you could even invest in treadmill desks to get your staff going! While bringing the gym into the office may seem like a strange concept, it actually makes a lot of sense. With new studies proving that treadmills in the workplace not only improve concentration but help staff retain information, this could be the ideal solution to keep their bodies (and brains) as active as possible. 
While exercise is great, keeping fit isn’t just about getting moving. Ensuring your staff are hydrated is an integral part of keeping them fit and healthy, and a water dispenser in the office is a great way to do just that. While the novelty of a trip to the water cooler will encourage them to get up from their seats regularly, the refreshing H2O will also guarantee your employees stay alert throughout the working day.
Refuelling throughout the day is an essential part of keeping our brains active - but it’s easy to get into the habit of eating lunch at our desks and failing to venture outside. Although your staff may seem like they’re being more productive by working through their breaks, the lack of exercise is more likely to lead to a break in concentration. Lunch hours are your staff’s greatest opportunity to incorporate activity into their working day - and you can help. Encouraging them to leave the office during their lunch break and go for a walk or dine al fresco means your staff are more likely to come back to work refreshed and raring to go. If you want to encourage fitness in the workplace, you can keep your staff happy and healthy by making sure they have access to plenty of fluids. Invest in one of Eden Springs’ eco-friendly coffee machine or water cooler for your office and you can ensure your staff stay hydrated and their brains and bodies stay healthy all day long.
