14 tips: increase well-being at work!

Finding and keeping talent is a difficult challenge for many companies. "The war for talent" prevails in several sectors. For this very reason, we want to encourage companies to go that extra mile for their employees in terms of health and exercise.

We give you plenty of tips and initiatives you can undertake as a company to increase well-being. What do you get in return? Happy, productive, healthier employees who cost the company less money. So read on.

Nutrition and health at work

#1 Provide employees with healthy snacks

Healthy snacking has numerous benefits; it keeps the metabolism going, providing the body with plenty of energy throughout the day. As a result, mental dips and hunger pangs are a thing of the past.

Step away from unhealthy snacks and soft drinks with no nutritional value; they disrupt the metabolism, are bad for the heart, blood vessels and cholesterol, among other things, and they quickly make you feel hungry again. In the long run, they are pernicious for employee health.

#2 Hire a healthy cook for the workplace

Hire a cook to prepare a healthy and simple midday meal on a regular basis. That way, employees will learn what healthy eating means and won't be tempted by sandwiches, burgers or other unhealthy meals.

In addition to the main meals, employees can also be provided with a healthy smoothie based on fruit and oats. Thousands of combinations are possible.

#3 Educate employees about healthy eating

Many do not know enough about healthy eating, this is common knowledge. Therefore, provide employees with easy-to-read and manageable literature. It's really not difficult, but it does require some limited knowledge to get started. Some ideas:

• Hang infographics around the office
• Motivate employees to drink enough water e.g. by giving free refillable water bottles
• Provide easy and healthy recipes for at home or at work
• Send a weekly newsletter about healthy eating
• ...

#4 Introduce standing & active desks

Sitting down for too long is pernicious for blood flow and therefore brain activity. Consider introducing standing desks where you can already work standing up. If you want to go a step further, there are also active desks; these are standing desks combined with a treadmill on which you can walk at a very slow pace. There are plenty of alternatives on these that help you move while working.

#5 Help employees to quit smoking

No comments required :-) ?

#6 Encourage hand hygiene

Washing hands on a regular basis is one of the best preventions to prevent the spread of microbes at work. So encourage employees to wash their hands on a regular basis or use disinfectant lotions. You can hang the latter around the office in various places. Disinfecting hands is then a snap!

Sports and exercise at work

#7 Join a sports club or gym at work

Convince your employees to exercise by refunding part of their membership fees at the sports club or gym. As an example, take the local gym close to the office. This allows employees to relax for a while during a healthy workout!

#8 Introduce yoga at work

We at JustBite are huge proponents of yoga. It helps the body unwind, increases flexibility, improves focus.... and we could go on and on. So organize a yoga class at work, such as during your lunch break.

#9 Walk-meetings

When the meeting allows, choose to have it outside instead of in a conference room. By being outside, the body takes in much-needed oxygen, is in motion and can unleash creativity. This is really a must try. Feel free to add "Outside" among the meeting rooms in the calendars.

#10 Organize a sports squad

Look around the company for enthusiasts who feel like organizing afternoon sports activities: for example, go for a 5 or 10 km run. It is their job to motivate the others to participate. Feel free to link an incentive to this to make the group of athletes as large as possible.

#11 Provide a gym at work

Provide a gym at work with a variety of equipment: treadmill, bike, trampolines, rowing machine.... but loose weights, mats and stretch bands will also get you a long way. Provide a series of exercises for those who don't know how to get started right away.

#12 Encourage use of the stairs

Try to encourage employees to take the stairs. Some ideas:

• Use fun posters to show how many calories they are burning by taking the stairs
• Make the stairs a fun environment. Think art, colors, music.... no one likes walking down dark, cold hallways
• Guide employees/visitors to the stairs by taping footsteps or lines from the door to the stairs
• ...

#13 Motivate the use of bicycles

Motivate (and incentivize) people to bike to work. It's good for health and nature!

#14 Reward employees with massages

Good employees deserve a bonus! Reward them from time to time with a massage on the move or just at the office. Or pamper each employee on a regular basis with a free 15-minute massage.

So, we hope to have provided you with a range of ideas that you can introduce in the workplace today. Be sure to keep checking with your employees to see what works and what doesn't through surveys. Good luck!

What initiatives are you already doing in the office?