Fit for success: How exercise can improve employee engagement and job satisfaction

Whenever we think about the benefits of exercise, we always equate them with physical fitness and health. We think of how exercise helps us fight against health conditions and strengthen our physique. However, in recent years, significant parallels have been drawn between activity and its effects on mental health. It has been seen that one of the more immediate benefits of regular exercise is our mental wellness. 

This implies that more exercise is directly linked to greater productivity, which is very relevant to our performance in the workplace. Incorporating regular exercise has cognitive benefits such as improved concentration, better memory, more accessible learning, better creative skills and lower stress levels. All of these have far-reaching implications when it comes to workplace performance. In this way, it can certainly be said that regular exercise is essential for improving employee performance, engagement and productivity. 

This is one of the reasons many corporate offices have been promoting physical activity in the workplace. Office workers with access to a company gym reported managing their time more effectively, having better interactions with other employees and going home feeling more satisfied with their job. 

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What prevents employees from exercising more often?

Office workers sometimes say they do not get enough time to incorporate regular exercise into their routines. In some way, this does make sense. With tight deadlines and back-to-back meetings and calls, resting after going back home can seem like the only available option. 

However, what they mean to say is that they do not have the time to devote to an activity that they do not consider a priority. And this is exactly where the effects of regular physical activity on employee engagement, performance and job satisfaction come into play. Exercise lets us be more productive, absorb and retain more information and release endorphins, which make us feel happy. 

What most employees seem to think is that exercise is a luxury; one they cannot afford to devote time to. Therefore, instead of viewing exercise as something that takes away from daily work, it needs to be seen as a part of the work itself. Only in this way will employees understand the importance of keeping themselves in prime condition, which will definitely boost their work performance. 

Some ways employees can be encouraged to exercise during the day

Flexible working hours

One of the best ways to encourage employees to maintain a work-life balance is to have flexible work hours. Giving people greater control over their work hours will improve performance and boost productivity. Breaking out of the traditional 9 to 5 routine can help in better employee engagement as well as retention. This way, employers can increase the productivity of their employees. Longer working hours, overtime and commuting can all be reasons that discourage employees from pursuing a healthy lifestyle. 

Certain companies even allow employees to exercise during work hours, since it improves employee productivity and job satisfaction. Other companies offer subsidies on gym memberships. Flexibility in work times gives employees the space they need to handle their work-life balance and results in a more productive and happy workforce. 

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Team activities

Working in a team is a great way to boost morale, improve collaboration and lead to better work performance. This can also be a wonderful way to motivate people to start exercising and keep at it. Companies can organise campaigns such as community volunteer activities, charity initiatives and monthly marathons, which can raise awareness about exercise and serve as a wonderful team-building project. 

Active lunch breaks

Another excellent way to encourage employees to exercise and maintain their fitness is to promote more active lunch breaks. This means moving away from their desks. Encouraging employees to be more active during lunch breaks will help them collaborate better with their peers, achieve greater results at work and prevent the post-lunch slump that so many of us have experienced. 

One of the main reasons why young employees have back and neck problems is the sedentary nature of their work. Encourage employees to exercise to strengthen lower back in between breaks or move around if they have been sitting for far too long. 

The benefits of exercise in the workplace can be felt in several ways. Employers must understand that healthier employees translate to a more productive workforce. In addition to corporate drills, exercise can play a vital role in improving employee engagement, productivity, as well as job satisfaction at work.