10/ 10/ 2006
Last Monday, your assistant brought doughnuts in on her way to work. Yesterday, the wife of one of your employees brought fresh brownies in to celebrate his birthday. And today, a client sent over a huge box of chocolates to thank you for a great job on a recently completed project.
Is it any wonder you've had to loosen your belt, literally, over the past few weeks?
Now, it's not your job as a small-business owner to put your employees on a diet, but you can do some things to promote a healthy environment in your workplace. Not only will it benefit your health and that of your employees in the short term, it could indirectly have a positive impact down the road on your health-care insurance premiums and overall productivity.
Here are five things you can do today and every day to keep those doughnuts from doing damage to your waistline.
- Drink up! Keep plenty of water on hand and stay hydrated. Experts recommend eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. For you: Keep a cool water bottle on your desk while you work as a reminder to sip. For your employees: Provide a watercooler in the break room or conference room so they always have access to fresh, cold water.
- Move your body! You're busy and may not have time for a full workout every day, but that doesn't mean you have to be a couch potato either. There are small things you can do that add up. For you: If your small business is on the seventh floor of an office building, ride the elevator up to the sixth floor each day and take the stairs the rest of the way. For your employees: Plan one-on-one walking meetings instead of sit-down meetings when the weather is nice, and the topic is light. Even a 10-minute walk outside will get your blood--and your train of thought--moving.
- Plan ahead. For you: If you're going to lunch with a client, research the restaurant where you'll be meeting and pick out a healthy entrée before you get there. You'll be much more likely to stick to your plan if you're prepared rather than simply letting your hungry eyes take over when you sit down and read the menu on an empty stomach. For employees: Instead of doughnuts and cookies for morning meetings, bring in a tray of seasonal fruit and juices and whole grain breads.
- Be mindful of snacking. For you: If you can, keep healthy snacks in your desk or work space for that mid-afternoon boost. For employees: Make friends with the company who stocks the vending machine nearest you. Request alternatives to candy bars and cupcakes, like granola bars, pretzels and trail mix.
- Offer an exercise benefit. Meet with your local gym and talk to them about corporate packages, and perhaps split the monthly fee with your employees. For you: Your employees will appreciate the fact that you take their health and fitness so seriously that you offer this as a benefit. For employees: Your financial assistance with joining a gym might just be the push they need to go.
Experts say that losing just 10 percent of your body weight and maintaining it can decrease your risks for such things as heart disease, certain cancers and even infertility.
Perhaps doing so could even increase your productivity and that of your employees. Maybe not by 10 percent, but wouldn't that be nice!
