This article was last updated July 12, 2023.
“I don’t have time.”
How often have you heard that statement from your employees (or said it yourself) about staying active?
In our modern, fast-paced work environment, we barely allow ourselves time to eat lunch, so finding time to hit our all-important daily movement goals can feel impossible. With a little creativity, staying active all day — even while working a desk job — is possible and encouraged in the workplace.
Make lunchtime a reason to stay active
According to Forbes, 38 percent of employees say they don’t feel encouraged External Site to take a lunch break. By creating a workplace environment that promotes movement away from the desk at lunchtime, it shows you have your employees’ well-being in mind.
Taking a walk is one of the simplest, safest and most effective forms of exercise. Regular walks can help employees feel happier, perform better and maintain their health, resulting in fewer absences from work. Walking can even reduce employees' risk for developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes while helping control weight, reducing stress and improving muscle tone.
Even a little extra movement adds up quickly. Taking a brisk walk to a lunch spot ten minutes away, five times a week, gets employees two-thirds of their way to the recommended walking goal External Link of 2.5 hours per week, according to Harvard Health.
Discounts on health and fitness with Blue365®
Remind your employees they can save on gym memberships, fitness gear and more with exclusive health and fitness discounts through Blue365. Share the Blue365 flyer in your office's break area. Download it from the Marketing Toolkit.
Easy ways to increase physical activity at work
Research from the CDC External Site shows that less than half of all adults get the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity a week. And, an estimated 67 percent of adults External Site report sitting for more than eight hours per day, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
If you’re looking to give your employees ideas for getting active at work, consider the following:
- Do chair yoga External Site
- Have a meeting while you walk
- Stand at your desk External Site
- Take a 10 minute walk every four hours at work for a break
Questions or want to learn more? Contact your authorized Wellmark account representative, or email us at blueatwork@wellmark.com Send Email.
