Exploring the interconnected elements of health: Physical health

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

To be energised, you need exercise. That holds true for everyone, and it’s why employers should support employee physical health if they want to help 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? 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.

What is physical health?

Physical health encompasses a person’s overall bodily wellbeing, including whether or not they have injuries, illnesses or other physical impairments. Good physical health is foundational to general health; it’s critical for successfully carrying out various daily activities at work and at home.

In order to improve and sustain physical health, physical activity is important. Workers who have low interest in improving their wellbeing and health lose an average of at least four additional weeks of productivity per year than their peers with high interest. Along these lines, workers with high interest in health and wellbeing report that sleep quality and physical fitness are among their top priorities.

The connection between physical and mental health

Compared to their more satisfied co-workers, employees who are dissatisfied with their physical health have  lower mental health scores and lose 27 more working days of productivity each year. This is not surprising, given that most, if not all, physical health issues have a psychological component — and physical health affects mood, motivation and energy levels, as well as disrupting sleep cycles, immune function and hormone balances. It's well-known that people who suffer from long-term physical health problems are more likely to experience anxiety and depression.

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. Financial stress and instability can negatively impact mental health, and in turn cause physical health problems such as high blood pressure, headaches and sleep disorders. All of these issues can interact in persistent cycles that affect overall wellbeing.

Most employees in Asia are burned out, with 83 per cent reporting burnout over the past year and citing financial strain as the top factor. And with workers spending an average of six hours of work time each month worrying about their finances, this kind of stress might further limit the time required to take care of their physical health — not to mention, it can take a toll on the energy and motivation necessary to do so.

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, 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.

These findings are mirrored by the September 2024 TELUS Mental Health Index for Singapore, which found that workers dissatisfied with their physical health have a productivity loss of almost 30 days more than their colleagues who are satisfied with their physical health.

Why companies need to advocate for physical health

It can be difficult for employees to maintain a physically active lifestyle when they’re 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

TELUS Health Wellbeing helps to educate, engage and inspire employees to achieve their personal wellbeing  goals through behavioural change. When stress begins to affect physical health, TELUS Health EAP provides early intervention support, helping employees manage their wellbeing before physical symptoms escalate — ultimately fostering a healthier, more resilient workforce. Employees can access these services anytime, anywhere via TELUS Health One app to help them navigate life’s challenges, transitions and milestones.

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