5 Ways Physical Activity Fuels Creativity and Productivity

Sarah, the HR manager, stared at the productivity reports with furrowed brows. The numbers had been dropping steadily for months. As she watched her team members yawn through another late afternoon meeting, she realized that pushing for longer hours wasn't the answer – they needed a complete cultural reset.

Benefits of including physical activity at the workplace

While looking for information on how to improve the productivity of her team, Sarah came across studies that showed productivity has a deep connection with physical fitness. She was astonished to find that globally,1.4 billion adults are insufficiently active, with one in three women and one in four men not engaging in adequate physical activity. On further probing, she found that the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a global action plan that aims to reduce physical inactivity by 15% by 2030. Different research studies also indicate that physical activity boosts moods and enhances creative thinking. 

Improved ability to concentrate

Exercise not just keeps you physically fit but also keeps your brain active. That’s because exercise helps the brain to receive better circulation and oxygen and improves cognitive ability. 

Lowering stress

Too much stress can be detrimental to an employee's health and productivity, not to mention their thinking ability. Feeling irritated, low on energy, upset stomach, headache, and tense muscles are all examples of stress. Physical activity can help lower stress and boost productivity. 

Exercise boosts mood

Exercising regularly boosts mood by helping the body to release the “happy hormones” the endorphins. And when employees are in a good mood, their productivity automatically improves. 

So, now that you have enough reasons for including physical activity at your workplace, let’s see how you can do it effectively. 

How to include physical activity in the workplace 

First thing first. To have an active workforce, you need to focus on building a culture of health because — not all size fits one! Just introducing a few activity programs won't be beneficial unless you have built a workplace culture that prioritizes employees’ health. So, HR leaders must fit in physical activity and build a culture where employees can participate without the need to ask permission from their supervisors. 

Leadership support is a non-negotiable

To build a strong culture to support health and physical activity, strong leadership buy-ins are a must. Without the support of leadership it's difficult to build and promote any culture at the workplace. More than passively giving “permission,” employees need to see their leaders participating actively in these programs for a better adoption rate. 

Start small with existing resources

Bringing in physical activity at the workplace doesn't mean you need to build a gym or bring in an in-house fitness trainer. You can start small by utilizing your existing resources. This means you can start by encouraging employees to use more public transport ( research has shown that in an urban setting, people who use more public transport are physically more active). Offering subsidized bus passes, providing bike racks at worksites, and improving capabilities for walkers and bikers are some ways to promote physical activity at the workplace. 

Spread awareness through an active campaign

Empowering your employees with the knowledge of the benefits of physical activity and how it can boost their creativity, mental health, and overall wellbeing is a great way to spread awareness. Create impactful messages and deliver them through all communication channels. This can be seen as a precursor before setting up any health programs. 

Set realistic goals, monitor progress

Introducing physical activity programs is not enough. If you really want to achieve results ( improved productivity and boost creativity), set realistic goals. Determine the average fitness levels of the employees before implementing any physical activities. Monitor the progress from time to time to determine its effectiveness. For example, for the first quarter, you can focus on the engagement level of managers. For the second quarter, you can focus on the involvement of the employees after receiving the engagement from their managers, and so on. 

Introduce tailored physical activity programs 

Not all employees are the same, and they are all excited by the same kind of activities. While some may prefer brisk walking, some may prefer to bike to work or spend hours in the gym. Knowing the interests of your employees ( surveys come in handy here), you can design different tailored physical activity programs. When employees see something that excites them, their participation will be more wholehearted, bringing in results. 

Consider technologies

Modern technologies like different wearables can excite and encourage employees to start their fitness journey. Employers may explore various forms of technology to improve participation in fitness challenges, daily step counts, and leaderboards to promote healthy competition while encouraging employees to stay fit. 

FAQs

Is it worth it for companies to invest in workplace physical activity programs?

Physical activity programs can significantly improve employee productivity by enhancing concentration, reducing stress, and boosting mood through the release of endorphins. Studies show that physical fitness has a direct connection to workplace productivity, making it a valuable investment for companies.

How can companies start implementing physical activity programs without a big budget?

Companies can begin with simple, cost-effective initiatives like encouraging public transport use, installing bike racks, and improving accessibility for walkers. The key is to start small with existing resources while focusing on building a supportive culture that prioritizes employee health and wellness.