What’s the Link Between Physical Wellbeing and High Performance in the Workplace?

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It’s often said, ‘A sound mind in a sound body,’ and modern scientists emphasize that a clear and sane mind results from good health. But can physical exercise also impact work performance? 

One cannot evolve spiritually or psychologically with a dysfunctional lifestyle, especially if they are passive or inactive. Therefore, effective business strategies prioritize physical well-being due to its importance for mental wellbeing and productivity in the workplace. Additionally, it helps boost morale and reduce tension. In this article, we will discuss ways to achieve this and integrate it into the work environment.

The Importance of Sports on Physical Wellbeing

Studies have shown that regular exercise increases energy levels and boosts mood, along with many other health benefits, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Exercise is any movement that makes your muscles work and requires your body to burn calories.

There are many types of physical activities, such as swimming, running, and walking, all of which have proven benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing, and support long-term health.

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What is the Particular Importance of Exercise for Employees?

They say, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but that’s not entirely true—maintaining health is far more complex.

Let’s be realistic: staying healthy can be costly and difficult. Even gym membership fees can add up and become a burden over time. When faced with the choice between an expensive, exhausting workout and a warm, comfortable night on the couch, our instinct is often to choose rest and stillness. This is where the importance of fostering a sports culture within companies comes into play. But can you imagine the cost of poor wellbeing in your organization?

Prioritizing physical wellbeing by implementing strategies that encourage employees to stay active—such as covering gym membership fees, fitness expenses, and offering nutrition guidance programs—is crucial and will inevitably create a more active and healthy work environment.

Benefits of Exercise for Employees

There are many benefits that employees gain from regular exercise, which are reflected in their work performance. These include:

1-  Reducing Employee Absenteeism Rates

The first benefit of promoting a sports culture in your company is having healthier employees, which leads to lower absenteeism rates. People who exercise regularly tend to be healthier than those who don’t, making them less likely to get sick. This directly impacts the number of sick days taken, job performance, burnout levels, and the likelihood of employees leaving your organization. 

2-  Reducing Stress

Work-related stress and depression are unfortunately common causes of absenteeism, especially in high-pressure business environments. It is medically proven that people who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer from depression and related illnesses.

Working hard for eight hours a day, five days a week can be exhausting, and stress is often linked to brain shrinkage, particularly in the hippocampus, which is partly responsible for memory (explaining why people tend to forget things when you’re stressed). Raising your heart rate through exercise increases blood flow and alleviates these conditions. Additionally, the release of hormones like norepinephrine can have antidepressant effects.

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3-  Enhancing Brain Learning Ability

As mentioned earlier, exercise releases hormones in the body that improve cognitive function. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that physical activity can help improve thinking, learning, problem-solving, and emotional balance—all of which enhance productivity and elevate your company’s performance to the next level!

4.   Improving the Quality of Sleep

Another benefit is having a better sleep. It is well known that deep sleep at night helps combat stress and illness, but what people often don’t realize is that exercise can enhance sleep quality. The American Sleep Foundation states that “moderate to intense exercise can improve sleep quality in adults by reducing the time it takes to fall asleep and decreasing the amount of time spent awake in bed during the night.”

5.   Happier and More Energetic Employees

Studies confirm that employees who exercise regularly are more alert and energetic. They are less likely to be unproductive at the end of the day or early in the morning due to fatigue. According to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), even a 15-minute walk can provide a significant energy boost.

6.   Increase Employee Retention Rate

Providing a gym at your company or supporting sports in general is an essential part of the employee benefits program for many employers, as many employees see it as one of the ‘big perks’ of their jobs.

Regular physical activity can increase employees’ job satisfaction and sense of belonging, thereby improving retention rates within the company.

7.   Enhancing Teamwork

Many fitness experts agree that exercising—whether with a partner or in a team—can make you less likely to give up or worry, more motivated to train, and better able to achieve your goals. The gym can also be a highly social environment, especially with group exercise sessions.

8.   Improving the Company’s Image

Fostering a culture of sports and physical health among employees—particularly by investing in a fitness center or company gym—can create a positive image of your organization and demonstrate the value you place on your employees. Investing in employee health and wellbeing can significantly enhance the company’s reputation and reflect positively on the organization, especially if this commitment is highlighted by the media and local publications.

Labayh Business Helps Enhance Employee Physical Wellbeing

Labayh Business services are truly unique, helping you establish effective strategies within your organization to support your employees’ physical wellbeing and cultivate a proactive environment—ultimately leading to your organization’s success.

Effective management strategies focus primarily on reducing or managing stress and burnout that can arise from work. 

Prioritizing employee physical wellbeing will naturally reduce tension, create a positive environment, improve performance, and boost morale. Additionally, be sure to introduce the Nafas app to your employees and take advantage of its services, along with the expertise of the Labayh Business team. Together, they will guide you in managing employee stress, avoiding burnout, enhancing productivity, and fostering growth through the coaching sessions, masterclasses, and meditation techniques offered by the app.

The Nafas App provides you with a library of audio and video content across various health areas in the workplace and scientifically proven meditation techniques. The meditation content in Nafas  is recorded by experts in the field, tailored to users in a simple and easy language, enabling them to relax, self-control, and guide themselves towards inner peace.