To be energised, you need exercise. That holds true for everyone, and it’s why employers should help support employee physical health if they want to help enhance performance and productivity in the workplace.
One study found that implementing workplace health programs can reduce workers compensations costs by 41 per cent, while reducing absenteeism by 25 per cent. It also revealed that with only 2.5 hours per week of exercise during work hours, employees can reach the same or higher levels of productivity as their less physically active coworkers.
So why is physical activity important for employees? In short, it’s because there are numerous factors that contribute to someone's overall wellbeing, and they’re all interrelated. Some of the main components of health are mental, physical and financial health, though there are other factors and social determinants in play as well.
Here’s a closer look at physical health, and how it intersects with other elements of health to impact employee engagement, productivity and performance.
Holistic health: The intersection of employee mental, physical and financial wellbeingExplore the interconnected aspects of employee health and how they affect the performance of individuals and organisations alike. |
Physical health is how well the body is functioning, covering everything from fitness to illness. Maintaining good physical health involves getting the right quantity and quality of sleep, moving regularly, eating a nutritious diet, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding tobacco and drug use.
In order to improve and sustain physical health, physical activity is important. Australian workers who report low interest in improving their health and wellbeing lose almost five additional weeks of productivity each year — 63.9 working days versus 40.9 working days — compared to those reporting high interest in this area. Top areas for self-improvement that workers report include physical fitness and sleep quality.
Exercise helps workers feel more engaged and mentally acute, which reduces errors and increases productivity. It also improves the immune system, leading to fewer sick days. Physical activity releases endorphins that make people feel happier and less sluggish, boosting mental health and decreasing presenteeism.
Poor physical health also affects mental health. Workers who report feeling dissatisfaction with their physical health have a mental health score 23 points lower and lose 19 working days in productivity more each year compared to their peers who are satisfied with their physical health.
This is because when a person suffers from a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression, it affects mood, motivation and energy levels, as well as disrupting sleep cycles, immune function and hormone balances.
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. Research indicates that Australians recognise the link between financial, physical and mental health, with almost half (47 per cent) saying that financial worries impact their physical wellbeing.
A similar Australian study found that over one-third of respondents were stressed and overwhelmed by dealing with money. In the study, 39 per cent of people said they spend two or more hours during their work week thinking about their finances.
These kinds of stressors can limit the time people devote to caring for their physical health — and take a toll on the energy and motivation necessary to do so.
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, vigour 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.
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 take time 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.
For delivering exceptional physical health benefits, TELUS Health offers a suite of physical health services that can help support the health of your employees. Preventive health care includes health checks and flu vaccinations, while specialty care offers services such as nutrition and ergonomics consulting. And TELUS Health Wellbeing helps to educate, engage and inspire employees to achieve their personal wellbeing goals through behavioural change.
Learn more about the other factors and facets of holistic health, and how TELUS Health supports both employers and employees.