Happier by moving more? 6 tips for a more nutritious and active break.

You already read about how workplace happiness and nutritious food at work go hand in hand in our blog post for the Week of Workplace Happiness. More nutritious snacks can make a big difference to employees' overall wellbeing, but movement can also send workplace happiness soaring.

Get moving!

Moving regularly makes people happy. The proof? Just step outside for some fresh air after a tough workday and feel the tension melt away. Or take a look around the park or the woods on a weekend — you'll see it full of happy, relaxed people running, cycling, walking, scooting...

All jokes aside, the fact is that regular, daily movement is relaxing and gives your immune system a boost too. Just 30 minutes of movement a day can significantly improve your resistance, lower your blood pressure, improve digestion, and give your brain the oxygen it needs...

Scientific studies have linked physical fitness to shorter cold durations. If that's not reason enough to get moving, we don't know what is!

In our blog post about what breaks do to your brain, we already explored in depth why regular breaks matter — giving your brain the rest it needs so you can focus fully again afterwards.

But taking healthier breaks regularly does more than just give your brain a rest. It can significantly boost employees' workplace happiness, especially when they're also encouraged to move more during those breaks. Employees today face increasing work pressure, experience a lot of stress, and often feel tired — and real, restful breaks away from their screen and desk can make a huge difference.

The social side

The social side also plays a big role in how happy employees feel at work. Making friends and socialising with colleagues makes employees noticeably happier and more engaged. On top of that, the whole work atmosphere improves as employees feel more connected to each other.

When employees can socialise with colleagues and move around during their break, you as an employer kill two birds with one stone. Stress levels drop significantly, along with sick leave, and employees become happier and stronger.

But there's still work to be done to encourage healthier breaks, since the National Happiness Survey sadly shows that 1 in 3 Belgians doesn't leave their chair during lunch break and quickly scarfs down lunch behind their screen while scrolling. Even worse, around 15% don't even take a lunch break at all.

This is where you, as an employer, can make a real difference for your team's happiness. By encouraging them to take regular breaks, move at the right moments, and offering them nutritious food and healthier snacks, you give them all the tools they need to send workplace happiness to new heights, because healthier employees are happier employees.

A mind shift

How can you encourage your employees to move more throughout the day? First, a shift in mindset is needed. Too often, employers still see breaks and chats between colleagues as wasted work time. It's important to realise that employees are far more productive after a break, and often feel happier and more connected after chatting with a colleague — which means they're more likely to go the extra mile for their company.

You don't need big changes to help your employees snack better and move more. Chatting together and getting some fresh air is the easiest way, and it's as simple as that.

Want to take it a step further and make movement a true part of your company culture? Here are a few tips.

6 practical tips to get your employees moving more

1. Awareness: encourage your employees to take charge of their own happiness (and health). Give them all the information they need to make better choices — both around food and around movement and fitness.

2. Seeing others move inspires movement: Never underestimate the social side of movement. People are social creatures who love doing things together. If a few colleagues start a walking group for a short, refreshing stroll at lunchtime, chances are more and more colleagues will want to join in. Encourage and motivate employees who take initiatives like this! Or lead by example and start a jogging group yourself. These kinds of movement initiatives among colleagues and managers also help break down silos.

3. Make it easy: Maybe a colleague knows a yoga or pilates instructor who'd love to run sessions during lunch? Set up a room where colleagues can exercise together, provide proper bike storage, invest in a good table tennis or foosball table...

Make moving easy, and don't let practical obstacles dampen the fun of getting active.

4. Spark some healthy competition: some people need a bit of friendly rivalry to stay motivated. Hang a scoreboard in the lunchroom showing the results of the latest table tennis derby between HR and Purchasing. Organise playful tournaments regularly and reward the winner with a trophy to show off on their desk until the next tournament. Encourage employees to come up with their own ideas — it only strengthens team spirit!

5. Far, far away: place healthier snacks and treats in a strategic spot. Want to offer your employees healthier snacks while also getting them out of their chairs? Don't put your snack boxes in the open office space — put them in a small kitchen on the other side of the building, ideally a few floors up or down, so your employees can really stretch their legs.

6. Digi-detox: Nothing kills the vibe faster than the endless distraction of our smartphones and gadgets. Put those phones aside for a moment and reconnect with your colleagues for real.

Encourage and motivate your employees to move, and help make movement and healthier breaks a habit. Workplace happiness is already smiling your way!