Before anyone clocks in, the workplace culture is already set in place. It shows up in how your team members arrive - stressed from traffic or feeling groggy from their lack of sleep. The way they think can impacts and reflects how they're producing work.
So what's the answer? The answer lies in how they're feeling! Giving your team members the power to take care of themselves is all it takes to manages a successful team.
In honor of National Bike to Work Day, we want to help promote a healthier workplace for your business with a few tips below!
1. Encourage active commuting
As a business owner, you have the power to make the decisions that matter. One of the easiest and most impactful ways to support your team's well-being is by encouraging them to move more, primarily through walking or biking to work. It's a small habit that can ripple into other areas of their life.
Words of encouragement are a great start, but following through with small, intentional actions shows you're serious about creating a healthier workplace:
🚲 Something as simple as providing secure bike storage makes it easier for team members to commit to cycling. A water dispenser can also encourage walking or jogging to work, helping them stay hydrated. Even a basket of mini sunscreen bottles or a sunscreen pump near the door will make a difference, especially in sunny or warmer places.
⏰ Flexible start times give team members the freedom to fit an active commute into their day. When they can avoid the stress of traffic and start work after a morning walk or ride, they might just arrive in a better headspace.
🩳 Relaxed or athletic dress codes can be fun! If they don't have to deal with the hassle of changing clothes at work, they'll be more likely to lace up their running sneakers or hop on a bike.
🎁 Give your team a reason to swap the gas pedal for bike pedals! Track active commutes and toss in a small reward (coffee, longer lunches, gift cards, etc) for the winner each month for some "healthy" competition.
2. Offer wellness perks
You don't need a 360 overhaul for a wellness makeover. In fact, it'd be in your best interest as the team leader to make your team's lives easier without pushing the boundaries too much. You can do this by offering some wellness perks. This would come as a happy surprise for your team!
These could be normalizing stretch and walking breaks. If you permit them, they'll feel more at ease without feeling like they're slacking off. Even small touches like stocking some healthy snacks in the breakroom will help maintain healthy morale. Granola bars, fresh fruit and a clean water station are things most people in the office can appreciate.
If you've got a little wiggle room in your budget, standing desks are absolutely worth considering. You don't need to swap out every desk in the office. Just a few adjustable ones here and there can give people the option to switch things up and burn some calories. From sitting for eight hours to moving between sitting and standing, energy and focus will be improved. Plus, good posture is something that many people disregard, so standing desks can help with that as well!
3. Give shout outs to wellness wins
Having a little support on the sidelines can be truly uplifting. Shout outs like these help make healthy habits feel seen and valued. It's not competition or pressure, but it's giving your organization a fresh perspective on what success looks like in and out of the office.
⛑ Notice someone taking walks during lunch instead of scrolling on their phone? That's worth a high-five. What about someone swapping soda for water this week? That's absolutely shout-out worthy.
🗣 Keep the compliments light, honest and rooted in sincerity. Your team isn't looking for trophies, but they may want to feel like their decisions are recognized. Recognition like this helps build a positive and supportive culture in the workplace.
4. Spice out the day with a "reverse commute"
The workday doesn't always end when the computer shuts down. Unwanted stress has a way of following you home uninvited. This is where "reverse commute" can help. Set aside 15 minutes before the end of the day for a short walk to help clear out any mental clutter. It's a team reset!
🚶♂️ It's not about hitting step goals, power walking or a fitness challenge. It's a peaceful walk to really unwind and decompress. Nobody wants to go from spreadsheets to dinner prep right away when work is taking over the mind. If your team has some time to "walk it out", they'll feel recharged and head home with positive vibes for the next day. It's a much-needed boundary between work and everything else.
These can happen every day or once a week. You can stay flexible and figure out what works best for your team's workflow and schedule. It's one of those simple things that's easy to skip until you realize how much lighter you feel after.
➕ Wellness at work is something that can be started from the ground up. Nothing needs to be too fancy for any type of business out there. Just a few minutes of peace, some movement in the body, and a bit of encouragement can make a world of difference. When your team feels better, they will work better.
Author: Gary Wong
💬 What's one small change you could make to help your team feel more supported?
Feel free to let us know in the comments below!
📚 Want tips on how to better ease into work? Read here here!
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About Stingray Advisory Group LLC: Stingray Advisory Group LLC is based in Grand Rapids,
Michigan, and is a proud member of People First Economy and the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. We help businesses thrive. By improving our client's sales over 60%, reducing their expenses and boosting their engagement by 40% or more, we enable our clients to refocus on what they love.
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