Research shows that healthy employees working in a healthy environment creates a more productive workplace. Increased revenues and shareholder returns plus lower absenteeism are just some of the potential impacts on a business.
No doubt you already know that being physically active has a number of benefits to your overall well being. As well as feeling and looking better, your energy levels increase and your short-term memory improves. You are able to deal with stress and challenges more easily, take on more work and perform better. It also takes less time to recover after hard work so you feel less tired.
Many types of physical activity will enable you to increase your social skills, improve your communication skills, build your self-confidence and develop your self-esteem - all important skills in the workplace and ones that employers value highly in their workforce.
Leaving the comfort zone - Engaging in physical activity can push you out of your comfort zone, which can leave you feeling uncomfortable and insecure, but ultimately it results in more achievement, more enjoyment and more rewards. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is also important at work at times, helping to raise the bar on your performance and achieve different results.
I've been privileged this winter to meet some clients participating in the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program. It's been humbling and incredibly inspiring to watch them push themselves out of their comfort zone to do what many people take for granted - enjoy the snow on the hills. It's inspiring to observe the courage and determination these clients have and to witness the elation they feel when their efforts pay off and they are able to travel around the mountain.
It's a great reminder that persistence and self-discipline are key drivers to achieving success. And let's not forget the importance of celebrating the victories, especially the small ones.
Getting started and staying motivated:
Choose an activity that you will enjoy and one you can fit into your existing lifestyle in terms of when and where you can do it.
Share the activity with someone else who can support you in your commitment.
Set yourself some SMART goals, i.e. make sure
You are Specific about the results you want to achieve
Your goal is Measureable; how will you know when you have achieved your target? How will you track your progress? Set small steps along the way.
Whatever you do is Achievable, i.e. realistic within your time frame and doable for you.
The activity you choose is Relevant - a worthwhile goal for you.
The goal is Time-bound - put dates on all key milestones, as well as the end goal.
Spring is a great time to get active as the days become longer and the temperatures warm up. If you are not used to being active, please remember to check with your coctor before getting started to establish the type and amount of activity that is best suited to your needs and lifestyle.
Hazel Morley is principal of Think Smart: Training and Coaching with Change in Mind. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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