Shape up your workplace
The health of our nation is costing us millions of dollars every year. Our hospitals and health clinics are quite literally bursting at the seams. These themes are all too familiar in Australian media today. What effect is this having on industry in our country? An equally concerning trend is the productivity cost as a result of poor health and workplace injuries. Hence, this blog post aims to highlight the importance of exercise and brain function and provides useful tips to boost productivity and improve the health of our workforce as a whole.
So, how do we boost our productivity in the workplace? The answer is simple…. Move more! Did you know that when we exercise our bodies forge new blood vessels (capillaries) across our entire body? When we exercise we excrete powerful hormones into the bloodstream that promote growth of new tissue and help to improve the efficiency of our bloodstream (new capillary beds). New and improved blood flow delivers important food to our brain and removes toxins more efficiently (Medina, 2008). This happens all over your body, including the brain. The most important brain specific effect of exercise is the stimulation of a protein called Brain Derived Neurothrophic Factor (BDNF) (Medina, 2008). Think of this as a brain fertiliser. It keeps your brain cells (neurons) healthy and even encourages the formation of new ones. This magical protein also encourages enhanced connectivity between our already existing neurons (Medina, 2008). Our modern world has implications on this. Today’s labour saving devices and long work hours mean we are moving less than ever and therefore not producing enough BDNF. Compare this to our Neanderthal ancestors who were always moving – in fact, they would move approximately 20km per day (Medina, 2008) and if they didn’t they would end up as some other creature’s dinner!
Integrating exercise in the workplace will not only make us healthier, it will make us smarter!! We know, through much research, the benefits exercise has on reducing stress, regulating appetite, improving immune function and reducing the risk of many chronic diseases. What’s more interesting is that studies are also telling us that exercise promotes better brain performance. We become better problem solvers, are more alert and have improved short term memory thanks to all the new neuronal connections we have made from our improved blood flow, just by exercising (Medina, 2008). So, the next question is, how do we apply this to the workplace?
Below are seven practical steps to ensure you and your colleagues are healthier at work:
1) Schedule regular 10-15minute breaks every 90 minutes (walking will be suffice)
2) Take the steps or stairs when arriving and leaving the workplace
3) Schedule walking meetings weekly
4) Have staff participate in regular exercise at work, such as Clinical Exercise – Actif is one provider of this service
5) Consider employees diurnal rhythms (body clocks) and roster their hours accordingly. For example, for those who are early risers, start them earlier and have them finish sooner. The opposite is true for those who are not morning people
6) Have treadmills in the office. Encourage staff to walk regularly in their scheduled break times every 90 minutes
7) Engage with local gyms and provide subsidies on gym memberships for employees
These are not unrealistic changes that can be made within the workplace. Imagine if we all adopted this mentality, the effect on our species as a whole would be enormous - our health care costs and risk of chronic disease would be slashed. For business owners and managers, this will mean more effective staff who are also happier and healthier. Like-minded people will also be attracted to work with you and boost productivity by two, three or maybe even ten times. So go on, shape up your office.
Daniel Lee - Physiotherapist and Director of Back In Motion Semaphore
References:
John Media, Brain Rules - 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home and School; Scribe Publications 2008; pg. 7-29.