- The physical and mental health of employees is the key to having successful companies.
- Exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress or anxiety and improving mood.
- Large companies have implemented physical activation programs while taking care of the mental health of its collaborators.
In an increasingly competitive world, companies are in a constant search to implement strategies that help them be more competitive, in the face of an increasingly challenging environment; However, one of the keys that is often overlooked is the role played by health, both physical and mental, of work teams.
“A healthy work team, physically and mentally, is the backbone of a successful organization. As the world of work evolves, talent seeks to make their workspace more than just a source of income and become a place where they can develop personally and professionally. On the other hand, companies want more productive employees and the best way to achieve this is by identifying psychosocial risk factors and addressing them in a timely manner,” explains Anabel Fernández, CEO of Affor Health.
And many times the company strategy is accompanied by campaigns that encourage exercise to reduce problems such as stress or anxiety.
A report of the Mayo Clinic It states that regular exercise helps to lower levels of stress, anxiety or even improve a person’s mood and thereby combat depression. Among the mental health benefits it generates, the following stand out:
- Releases endorphins and improves mood
- Removes worries or negative thoughts from the mind
- Build trust
- Encourages social interaction
Work big
Many of the large companies that today are leaders in their respective industries have been concerned about taking care of the mental health of your collaborators, while implementing programs that promote physical activity as a driving force to have more productive teams and lower levels of work stress. Some examples are:
- Google: The big one that revolutionized the internet has gyms in its offices, where activities such as yoga classes are taught. In addition, it promotes the use of bicycles to get around its facilities and offers financial incentives to employees who stay active.
- Salesforce: This company has implemented programs that include physical activities such as hiking, yoga and sports competitions among work teams.
- Facebook: It offers its employees access to gyms and workplace exercise classes, as well as the chance to participate in company-sponsored charity runs. It also provides outdoor spaces and rest areas to encourage physical activity and relaxation.
Fernández points out that exercise has a great impact on mental health. However, physical activity is not the only thing needed to take care of employees’ mental health.
What can companies do?
- Promote a healthy culture: Through permanent campaigns and programs where employees are informed about the benefits of taking care of their physical and emotional state.
- Offer recreation spaces: Whether to take active breaks at work or take a break.
- Monitor psychosocial risks: It is important that companies identify their psychosocial risk factors and work to reduce their impact
- Have specialists in occupational mental health: Specialists in occupational mental health are essential to work with teams to reduce current problems.
- Mental health training: Provide regular training to the Psychosocial Risk Prevention or Human Resources areas on health and its impact on work.