The Occupational Health Blog

40 Fun Health Changes for Employee Health and Fitness Month

• NMS
• May 17, 2012

Did you know that May is Employee Health and Fitness Month? Initiated by The National Association for Health & Fitness in 1989, and in a partnership with ACTIVE Life, the initiative encourages employers and employees to participate in healthy behavior changes "one healthy moment and one healthy group at a time".

Employers: Here are 40 moments and group activities to incorporate into your work day to help you and your employees get healthy!

1) Take the Stairs - Did you know you burn 0.04 calories for every step you take? Or in other words, you burn 1 calorie every 25 steps. Take the stairs instead of the elevator and burn some extra calories. 

2) Swap the soda with water 

3) Take a walk during lunch - If you at your desk during lunch, take a few minutes to get outside and walk a lap around your office. You'll stretch your legs, burn a few calories and give your brain some time to rest.

4) Bring lunch to work - When you pack your own lunch you are more likely to pack a sandwich containing lean meats and a fruit as a side. Ordering in leads to greasy sandwiches loaded with fats and cholesterol.  

5) Store healthy snacks at your desk - Nuts, trail mix, dried fruit

6) Drink coffee in the morning, and green tea in the afternoon - Both are loaded with antioxidants

7) Bring a set of elastic resistance bands to work 

8) Bike to work - Maybe not during the winter months, but if you live close to your office you have a perfect opportunity to get your heart pumping in the morning.

9) Challenge a co-worker to a mapped run via MapMyRun

10) Stretch once an hour at your desk 

11) Organize an office softball team

12) Throw the pigskin around during lunch

13) Organize a weekly pickup basketball game

14) Do a crossword during break - Give your brain a workout

15) Brush your teeth and floss after lunch 

16) Sit up straight - We tend to hunch over at our desks. Try sitting up straight. Your back will thank you!

17) Breath deeply - Breathing through your belly (Diaphragmatic breathing) can help relieve stress.

18) Eat lunch with a group of co-workers -  A stress reliever.

19) Organize an office field day or picnic

20) Organize an office olympics

21) Keep a tennis ball or stress ball at your desk for squeezing

22) Pin a picture of your favorite athlete or team at your desk (motivation!)

23) Make an appointment with your doctor for a check-up 

24) Make an appointment with your dentist for a check-up and cleaning

25) Smile

26) Get an office pet

27) Have an outdoor meeting

28) Have a healthy BBQ

29) Create an office-wide summer weight loss challenge

30) Switch out the junk food vending machine with a healthy choice vending machine - Switch the chips for apples. Contact your local vendor. Most have healthier alternatives.

31) Start a bowling team

32) Start an after work jogging group

33) Hire a personal trainer for a lunch group workout session

34) Hire a nutritionist to consult on healthy eating

35) Hire an employee wellness manager -  A single person who oversees the company's health initiatives.

36) Subscribe to a healthy tips blog

37) Offer flu-shots   

38) Offer on-site wellness screens - Cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure. Boost morale and productivity!

39) Join a gym with a co-worker

40) Host a health fair