Workplace stress is a big deal. While you might think that stressed employees are the norm, it’s important to understand that stress can lead to some serious health consequences. As an employer, one of your many responsibilities is to take care of your employees and keep their well-being a priority.

A 2015 study looked at the negative health effects associated with workplace stress. It was found that millions of workers say their job is bad for their health and has caused them to eat poorly, smoke, drink more alcohol, and exercise less.

Besides the physical effects of stress – like high blood pressure, body aches, and heart issues – these bad health habits can also translate into poor work performance. Stressed out employees have trouble focusing, thinking clearly, and making rational decisions. 

Anxiety can really hold you back from a happy and healthy life. It’s both mentally and physically draining. Feelings of anxiousness can cause difficulties in concentration, disrupt sleep, and it make it hard to feel good about yourself. 

If you suffer with anxiety or nervousness on a regular basis, you’re not alone. In fact, anxiety disorders affect about 40 million Americans – and it’s not something that should be ignored. Excessive worrying can be detrimental to your health and wellbeing, as it increases blood pressure, leads to insomnia, and may cause heart problems.

With many treatment options available, no one should just “deal” with anxiety. If you experience racing thoughts, restless nights, and excessive worrying, and are looking to reduce anxiety naturally, try incorporating these quick remedies into your daily routine.

Everyone has a bad habit. Some might seem harmless or quirky, but others can really get in the way of your health and wellbeing. Here are a few common bad habits that you should stop immediately to live a happier, healthier life:

Going to bed late. We get it, not everyone is a morning person. But whether you work full-time or stay home with your kids, chances are, you have to be a functioning human being before 9 a.m. Going to bed late makes getting 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep next to impossible. If you’re used to being a night owl, start gradually going to bed earlier. Start by turning off the TV or putting down your book 30 minutes earlier than usual. The more sleep you get, the healthier, happier, and more productive you’ll be!

Over-snacking. A healthy snack when you’re hungry in-between meals is great fuel for your body. However, over-snacking (or snacking when you’re not hungry) can become a big problem. Eating too many snacks in-between meals can lead to weight gain and fatigue – especially if your snacks aren’t nutritious. Be sure to pre-portion out snacks (like a handful of almonds) to refrain from overeating. Ask yourself if you’re actually hungry – and not just bored – before you start snacking!

Movement is essential. Our bodies were made to move, not sit all day! That is why regular physical activity is a fundamental aspect of a healthy lifestyle. It helps keep weight in check, reduce the risk of many life-threatening diseases, and boosts overall happiness and wellbeing.

If you want a healthy workforce, encouraging physical activity is a necessity. Some of your employees might go to the gym after work, but the sad truth is, if they spend eight hours of the day sitting at their desk, they’re still not moving enough to receive the health benefits of exercise. With most Americans living a sedentary lifestyle, it’s no shock that many of your employees aren’t exercising enough. 

Working full-time makes physical activity difficult for your employees – but it doesn’t have to be this way! By making some simple changes around the office, promoting healthy habits, and creating an active design for your workplace, you can make a difference that will not only improve your employees’ work performance, but improve their lives as well. 

Read on to learn how regular physical activity will positively affect both your employees’ health and their work performance:

If you recently started the journey towards an active lifestyle, congrats! You’re on your way to a healthier, happier life. The tricky part about starting a new fitness routine is that the “finish line” can seem a little too far sometimes. We’ll admit, sticking with a fitness routine is hard. But the results make it so worth it.

In order to achieve and see those results, you need to stay motivated – which can be more difficult than it sounds! If you’ve started new fitness routines before, but it’s just never been able to stick, try out these 10 fool-proof ways to keep yourself motivated:

Although more and more research has been showcasing the detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle, people still aren’t budging. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle (also known as the “sitting disease”) has been said to be worse than smoking cigarettes. An article by The Active Times states that “sitting is more dangerous than smoking, kills more people than HIV, and is more treacherous than parachuting.”

To summarize, a sedentary lifestyle is lethal. It substantially increases the risk of many diseases, is strongly linked to obesity, and shortens lifespans. Despite this, many adults are still leading sedentary lifestyles. According to Mayo Clinic, 50-70% of people sit at least six hours per day, and 20-35% of people spend over four hours every day watching TV.

Even more frightening, statistics gathered by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reveal that only one in three adults achieve the recommended amount of physical activity each week, and more than 80% of adults do not meet the guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.

Ah, summer vacation. We fantasize about it all winter long, and we count down the days until we pack up and finally hit the road. Sitting on a beach with a drink in your hand is a great way to pamper yourself, unwind, and recharge. Whether you’re traveling abroad to sightsee or relaxing on a tropical island, one thing about vacations is certain: routines get thrown out the window – especially fitness routines!

While we’re all for an enjoyable, relaxing break from the real world, we believe a fun vacation doesn’t have to ruin your health and fitness progress you’ve worked so hard for. Try out some of these ideas to keep yourself active while vacationing or traveling:

Walking is incredible exercise. It’s effective, free, and can be done practically anywhere. Walking is also an enjoyable form exercise because it can be social and stress-relieving. Regular walkers reduce their risks for cardiovascular disease and obesity, and enjoy other health benefits like stronger bones and muscles and improved moods.

If you like walking but are looking to burn more calories, tone muscle, or just intensify your walking routine, try out some of these suggestions to transform your walk into a full-body workout.

Everyone gets stressed out. It’s a normal part of life – but that doesn’t mean you should just deal with it! There are many techniques, activities, and therapies that can help relieve stress, but exercise just might be the most beneficial way to naturally reduce stress.

Why? Physical activity reduces cortisol levels (your body’s stress hormone). Getting active and breaking a sweat causes your body to produce endorphins, which help your body and mind relax. You can expect better sleep, a clear mind, and an improved mood thanks to a stress-relieving workout session.

While any exercise will naturally reduce stress, we want to share with you seven exercise activities that specifically act to connect mind and body – promoting an instant feeling of calmness and wellbeing. These physical activities provide a good workout for your body while also being relaxing and therapeutic.

Try out one of these stress-relieving exercises the next time you need an instant pick-me-up: