ERGONOMICS CREATING A CULTURE OFMOVEMENT
As businesses transition back to the office environment, there emerges a unique and opportune moment for organisations to redefine relationships with their workforce and introduce a new approach to promote active health and wellbeing, says Helen Beebe, Managing Director of AJ Products (UK) Ltd.
The integration of workplace wellbeing initiatives into company culture brings countless benefits to the business and its employees. Notably, employee benefits aimed at supporting active health and wellbeing demonstrate commitment to the workforce, increasing job satisfaction and staff retention. Whilst optimising the physical workspace for greater movement and flexibility can increase engagement and productivity levels.
Promoting higher physical activity levels, enhances employees' fitness and emotional wellbeing. It boosts energy, mood, and self-esteem, reduces stress, and improves memory and sleep. Elements that can help support physical health include healthy eating options in the company canteen, group fitness challenges and active office furniture.
"Optimising the physical workspace for greater movement and flexibility can increase engagement and productivity levels."
What is an active workplace? An active and dynamic office environment promotes employee health and wellbeing, having short and long term benefits for both employer and staff. Designed with the staff’s best interests in mind: a working environment where the furniture makes it easy to vary the way you work and encourages activity. Movement strengthens the muscles, increases blood circulation and prevents strain injuries. By ensuring continuous movement, the active office contributes to the wellbeing of everyone throughout the entirety of the workday and beyond.
Easy ways to introduce movement
into the workplace Sustaining regular muscular and joint movement is crucial for individuals with predominantly sedentary roles. This is where the significance of appropriate seating comes to the fore, strongly influencing overall wellbeing.
Active seating that activates the core boosts fitness and helps strengthen the back and torso muscles. The body is made to move and thrives when it is active, thereby eliminating long hours of sitting.
Active seating offers three compelling reasons for its use. Firstly, it engages deep-seated muscles, resulting in
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heightened energy levels and calorie expenditure, benefiting both the body and concentration. Secondly, the incorporation of physical movement stimulates improved blood circulation and oxygenation, thereby amplifying efficiency and productivity throughout work sessions. Lastly, active seating contributes to pelvic strengthening, encouraging an upright and supportive posture while seated.
Variation of posture is key to avoiding back injuries Sitting in a sedentary position for extended periods can negatively impact the body. Avoid static postures by changing working positions frequently at the desk. An alternative to active seating is to stand up – but don’t stand still!
Standing to increase movement Working at a standing desk boosts Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) activities, the small movements made as part of normal daily routines. NEAT describes the calories burned by the movements we make when we go about the everyday activities. Incorporating a standing desk mat adds movement variety, making standing more manageable and comfortable. Active standing desk mats promote constant movement, enhancing circulation, reducing fatigue, and easing strain on legs, knees, and back.
Movement, even if minimal, such as standing or active seating, can boost metabolism, aiding in calorie burning and weight management over time.
Positive impacts of introducing an active office Active office seating and furniture not only enhance physical health through movement but also positively affect mood and productivity. A study of 146 NHS staff, led by researchers from the Universities of Leicester and Loughborough and published in the British Medical Journal, found that using sit-stand desks improves mental wellbeing. After one year, those using standing desks reported enhanced quality of life, reduced fatigue and anxiety, and increased work engagement.
Research indicates that standing promotes better creativity and collaboration with increased concentration levels leading to shorter and more effective meetings. Height-adjustable conference tables provide the flexibility needed to foster those conditions and help create more effective teams.
Overall, a workplace that prioritises a culture of movement will strengthen the organisation’s appeal, aiding in talent retention, enhancing engagement and productivity.
www.ajproducts.co.uk twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
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