Exploring the interconnected elements of health: Physical health

Part two: The role of employee physical health and its impact on productivity and morale

When people feel well physically, they're more likely to have higher energy levels. That holds true for everyone, and it’s why employers need to support employee physical health if they want to enhance performance and productivity in the workplace.

In a study on the relationship between physical health and burnout, employees who only engaged in low levels of physical activity had a lower sense of personal accomplishment and felt more fatigued. They also experienced higher levels of emotional exhaustion compared to others who regularly engaged in moderate levels of physical activity.

So why does physical activity affect an employee’s level of emotional exhaustion? Because there are multiple dimensions that determine a person’s health, and they all impact one another. These include physical, mental, emotional and social factors, as well as financial and occupational factors. And to support overall wellbeing, it’s important that employees and employers prioritize them all.

Here’s a closer look at physical health, and how it intersects with other elements of health to impact employee engagement, productivity and performance.

What is physical health?

Physical health refers to the body’s ability to function optimally. That includes a person’s fitness level, as well as the strength and flexibility of muscles, joints and bones. But it also involves the senses, internal and external organs, and the systems that enable the body to operate properly.

In order to improve and sustain physical health, physical activity is important. The Institute for Health and Productivity Studies at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School for Public Health reports that when employees are physically inactive, they take more time off due to sick leave, which in turn significantly increases their employers’ healthcare costs.

The institute also found that employees who are physically active end up costing less in healthcare spending, and those who exercise vigorously for at least 75 minutes per week take approximately 4.1 fewer sick days per year. They also tend to be more productive at work, as exercise helps to enhance focus and reduce stress.

The connection between physical and mental health

Along with being physically present at work — due to the reduced need for sick leave — employees who stay active also show up for work mentally. They exhibit higher levels of focus, lower levels of stress and tend to be more productive.

The opposite is also true, as there are many negative effects on physical health that can be caused by poor mental health. For instance, living with a mental illness can lead to increased chances of developing other, co-occurring diseases.

The connection between physical and financial health

Employees’ sense of financial health and economic stability can also be a major source of stress in their life if they’re struggling to save money and pay bills. This stress can also impact other aspects of life, including self-esteem, which takes a toll on family and social relationships. It can also lead to chronic health issues, ranging from hypertension and muscle pain to high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Additionally, these financial concerns then impact employees’ capacity to maintain healthy habits at work. As reported by Employee Benefit News, 82 percent of the workforce is spending part of their day fixated on financial stress — a loss of productivity that collectively costs organizations an estimated $664 billion.

How employee physical health influences productivity

Harvard Business Review cites a series of studies that were conducted to identify how physical health affects workplace performance and productivity. The researchers found that daily physical activity brings physical, affective and cognitive improvements through a series of mutually reinforcing next-day benefits that they refer to as “resource caravans”.

By enhancing sleep quality and protein synthesis, physical activity primes people to excel at work by increasing their energy, vigor and focus. More energy can give them the stamina to do their best work without getting worn down. Greater focus can enable them to be alert, pay attention and be more creative in their problem solving, while also improving their ability to retain and concentrate on information.

Why companies need to advocate for physical health

It can be difficult for employees to maintain a physically active lifestyle when they are balancing their time at work with managing other everyday commitments. That means employers have both a responsibility and a vested interest in making space for employee physical health.

Building more flexibility into employees’ schedules is a relatively straightforward and impactful change employers can make. Granting people autonomy over their time means they can make space for healthy eating and frequent exercise. Additionally, this permission enables them to access care when and where it best suits them.

Poor physical health can correlate with mental and financial health issues — and so nurturing physical health can play a powerful role in resolving such issues. When employees feel their best, they can achieve their best. 

Enable holistic wellbeing for employees with TELUS Health

For delivering exceptional physical health benefits, TELUS Health Wellbeing helps to educate, engage and inspire employees to achieve their personal wellbeing goals through behavioral change.

Learn more about the other factors and facets of holistic health, and how TELUS Health supports both employers and employees.