What to know about workplace

productivity in 2015

With wellness programs beginning to measure their impact on productivity and traditional work environments are on the decline, a greater emphasis is being placed on work breaks.

But are all breaks created equal? We found four trends to take note of this year:

1.)  Sitting is the new smoking. Sitting for long periods of time has been linked to many chronic conditions and in our sedentary culture, it’s hard to imagine a workday that doesn’t revolve around sitting at a desk.  The good news is that even small movements throughout the day can help.  Try doing some yoga poses at your desk, standing while taking phone calls or scheduling a walking meeting.

2.) The importance of a true lunch “break.”Employees tend to feel pressure to work through designated break times to get ahead.  This usually backfires, leaving them stressed out and less productive.   Encourage employees to take lunch breaks away from their desks or use the time to work out.

3.)  Unique ways to get moving.Offering exercise classes, walking programs  or giving employees the flexibility to hit the gym at lunch are all ways employers can encourage activity throughout the workday. Dedicating time to exercise during the day has been shown to increase productivity and increase mental stamina.

4.) Another reason to book that getaway. Using vacation time correlates to greater levels of creativity and reduced risk of disease.  Not surprisingly, taking a break from work has a significant effect on overall health.  A study of heart health found that those who skipped time off for a few years were 30% more likely to suffer a heart attack than those who used at least one week of vacation time a year. 

Read the full blog post at www.healthgram.com/blog