Physical Wellness Integration in Workspaces

The hidden co-founder efficiency hack is workout integration. Shreyas Kumar and I have twice-a-week training sessions that have completely transformed our FERMÀT journey. We've discovered a multi-dimensional approach that simultaneously addresses our physical wellbeing, relationship dynamics, and company vision. What makes this particularly powerful is the intermittent work discussion format. Unlike scheduled meetings with their rigid structure, workout sessions create natural conversation flows. We discuss FERMÀT vision during rest periods, problem-solve between sets, and align our thinking organically. Having this casual social time programmed twice weekly has become invaluable for our founder relationship—which fundamentally determines company health. It's rare to have regular, non-work-specific interactions built into our schedules, yet these moments create essential connection points. The conversations during physical exertion have a different quality—more honest, more creative, more aligned than traditional boardroom discussions. The implementation mechanics are straightforward but critical: mid-day scheduling creates natural breaks, our trainer handles all programming (eliminating workout decision fatigue), and we execute quick transitions back to business. This founder optimization unlocks triple benefits: physical health, stronger friendship, and enhanced company outcomes. Most founders separate wellness from company building—we've discovered their integration creates exponential returns rather than just additive ones.

As leaders, we often separate mental and physical health initiatives. But at OpenUp, we've learned that these two aspects of well-being are deeply intertwined, regardless of work environment. The mind-body connection is powerful, and addressing both can create a multiplier effect on overall employee wellness. Here's what we've discovered: - Physical activity boosts mental well-being: Encourage regular movement breaks, even for desk-bound employees. We've seen how simple activities like lunchtime walks or stretching sessions can reduce stress and improve mood. - Mental well-being impacts physical health: Stress management techniques (like meditation or deep breathing) can lower blood pressure and improve sleep quality. - Sleep affects both mental and physical performance: Educate employees about sleep hygiene and consider flexible schedules to accommodate different chronotypes. - Nutrition influences mood and energy: Provide healthy snack/food options in office settings. - Mindfulness practices enhance physical awareness: Introduce mindfulness sessions that focus on body scans and present-moment awareness. This can help employees recognise early signs of physical or mental strain. Implementing a holistic approach isn't always easy, but the benefits are clear. It's an investment that pays dividends in the long run, not just for individual employees, but for the organisation as a whole.

Are you planning any workplace wellness activities to kick off the new year? One of my newsletter subscribers recently asked me, “Our employees want us to highlight healthy lifestyles, perhaps by launching a ‘step challenge’ or hosting a 5K. While I love these ideas, we have some employees who use wheelchairs. For example, I struggle with organizing a step challenge because I feel this is not inclusive to everyone. Am I overthinking this? Or do you have suggestions that meet the ask but are inclusive to everyone?” I immediately contacted my friend, workplace wellness expert Laura Putnam. She recommended thinking about the various dimensions of wellness when designing programs. These include physical, emotional, social, financial, career, and community needs. By offering options in these categories, you’ll be more inclusive by design. With her guidance, I then researched possible activities. Here are some ideas: - Physical: Organize a “workout streak,” asking employees to record the number of days in a row they’ve done some workout—cardio, yoga, weights, stretching, or anything they define as a workout. Or arrange “stroll & roll” groups for breaks, ensuring paths are wheelchair-accessible. - Emotional: Designate an “Unplug at lunch” day, committing not to use your phone or devices and enjoying silence or talking with coworkers. - Social: Create a “Get to Know Each Other” week, with prompts to encourage coworkers to find personal connections. - Financial: Provide financial planning or budgeting classes. - Career: Host sessions to demystify the promotion process or other career-related topics. - Community: Organize a donation drive for items that a local non-profit needs. Then, once you have some options, let people design their wellness goals and choose activities that make sense for them. P.S. A few years ago, Laura and I collaborated on a thought paper titled "50 Ways You Might Have Wellness Privilege at Work" (https://lnkd.in/gBGfzhqv). It explores why wellness and inclusion should be considered holistically, with practical actions to take to improve workplaces everywhere.

Most wellness benefits go unused. It's the billion-dollar mistake companies keep making. Your employees aren't using your wellness program because you've designed it wrong. It's not the benefits. It's when they can use them. At a previous company, we discovered something big. When we integrated wellness into the workday instead of expecting it to happen before/after hours, everything changed. Dramatic increase in program participation Significant reduction in sick days Measurable improvement in reported resilience The shift was simple: ❌ "Wake up at 5am to exercise" → ✅ "Take a walk before your 2pm meeting" ❌ "Meditate after hours" → ✅ "Block 15 minutes between calls" ❌ "Use the gym membership" → ✅ "Do what actually works for you" Yes, I founded a lifestyle benefits company, but I'm not telling you to spend MORE on benefits. Instead, I'm telling you to reimagine how they fit into your employees' lives. By switching from time-based management to outcome-based management, companies create the flexibility needed for real wellness. Stop wasting money on benefits your team can't use. Start creating the conditions where they actually can.

Meet your new work bestie...N.E.A.T.! N.E.A.T. is the kind of friend that's got your back at work - protecting your mental and physical health. It stands for "Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis" and is a fancy way of saying: low level movement to break up sedentary bouts. Here's the problem with our modern work life: 😈 Long hours of sitting 😈 Hip structure gets out of balance 😈 Glucose & oxygen uptake flip off after 30 min of stillness 8 hours, 5 days a week, month after month, year after year - the damage builds up over time. The fix is simple. Take frequent movement breaks throughout the work day. Consider this study: 9000 middle aged Americans sit an average of 12.3 hours per day - with long bouts of sedentariness. Breaking up the sitting with a little movement was MORE PROTECTIVE against chronic disease than spending an hour in the gym and sitting the rest of the day!! This means: a workout in the morning followed by sitting the rest of the day is a false sense of security. ❌ Since the workday is the largest chunk of time in your day (except for sleeping) - WORK is your BEST opportunity to impact your health. Here are some N.E.A.T. investment strategies: ⤷ Movement Minimum. [Get up EVERY hour for at least ONE MINUTE - this flips your metabolic switches back ON. Or between every meeting. Or whenever you can.] ⤷ Walk & Talk. [Turn phone calls into walking meetings. If you don't have to be tied to your computer, get up. Movement + productivity = double dividends!] ⤷ Upgrade Your Workspace. [Get a standing desk, treadmill desk, under-desk pedals - even fidgeting counts! Check out the time lapse video I made several years ago comparing a moving day to a sedentary day at the office. You don't have to be this extreme, any movement counts.] ⤷ Post-Lunch Movement. [A 15-minute walk after lunch cuts blood sugar spikes in half! This is an easy way to protect yourself from afternoon cravings or sleepiness. Block 30 minutes for lunch - 15 to eat away from your desk + 15 to go for a stroll.] ⤷ Movement Snacks. [Pick a couple times during your work day for a movement break: - 10 squats while printing - Calf raises during calls - Desk push-ups between meetings - Stretching while reading emails] 🎯 Pro tip: Most of my clients track their work day movement with a wearable. It's like checking your bank account - you manage what you measure! Shoot for a minimum of 2000 steps DURING your workday. Now it's time to add an action to your matrix: Go to the WORK DAY row under the MOVE column. Choose 1 or 2 N.E.A.T. actions that are: ✓ Interesting (you might actually do them!) ✓ Achievable (in your current work environment) ✓ Impactful (will make a real difference) Remember: Your body wasn't designed to sit all day! Every tiny bit of movement adds up and is a deposit in your wellness account. Tomorrow we'll talk about timing your workouts with your meals for maximum returns! 🏋️♀️

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞? 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥. Think about it: so many of us spend long hours indoors, often in office spaces that keep us still and away from nature. As leaders, we have an incredible opportunity—and, I believe, a responsibility—to evolve environments that support fitness and bring natural elements inside. This is not just a fleeting trend; it is becoming essential for workplaces that prioritise well-being. Exercise is most effective when it feels seamless, like a natural part of the day. As architects, we use our expertise to encourage natural movement. Simple additions like standing desks and ergonomic setups have made a noticeable impact, subconsciously transforming daily routines. I delve deeper into this in my book, The Healthy Office, where I share ideas on designing workspaces that invite movement. It is remarkable how some intentional adjustments can elevate an office from a mere workspace to an environment that actively promotes health and productivity for everyone in it. #leadership #mindfulness #growth #culture #design #TheHealthyOffice

On this episode "Let’s Talk About EX," we're thrilled to host Jenna Mikus, PhD, a strategic advisor who masterfully blends wellbeing science with architectural science to craft environments that promote health and productivity. 🏢 Jenna brings over 20 years of experience and a unique approach known as Eudaemonic Design, focusing on creating spaces that not only function optimally but also support the wellbeing of everyone within them. Whether you're redesigning your office or just curious about the impact of space on employee wellness, Jenna’s insights are invaluable. In this episode, we dive deep into: ✅The principles of Eudaemonic Design and how it can transform workplace environments. ✅Practical tips for integrating wellbeing into architectural practices. ✅The future of workplace design post-pandemic. 🔗 Tune in to learn how you can start applying these ideas to make your workspace a healthier, more inspiring place (link in comments) 👥 Know someone interested in innovative design solutions for better wellbeing at work? Feel free to tag them or share this post ... #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceDesign #EudaemonicDesign #HRLeaders #BusinessInnovation

Harnessing the Power of Gardening for Employee Health and Well-being Employers are increasingly recognizing the importance of supporting their employees' mental and physical health. One innovative approach is incorporating gardening into workplace wellness programs. Gardenuity is honored to be part of the employee wellness initiative in 2024. As a leader in promoting the mental and physical health benefits of gardening, Gardenuity brings the joy and therapeutic effects of nature directly into the workplace. By providing employees with desktop gardens and gardening experiences, we support a healthier, more mindful, and productive work environment. This initiative reflects our commitment to enhancing employee well-being and fostering a positive, engaged workforce. During a time when mental health is paramount, leaders are increasingly incorporating the benefits of gardens and gardening experiences into their platforms. These initiatives are designed to support employee well-being by providing a therapeutic and relaxing activity that promotes mindfulness and reduces stress. Gardening has been shown to improve mood, boost creativity, and enhance overall mental health. By integrating these activities into the workplace, leaders are creating a more supportive and engaging environment, helping employees manage stress, increase productivity, and bring their company culture of wellness to where their teams live, work, and play. Here’s how employers are leveraging gardening to enhance employee well-being: Gardening Workshops Community Gardening Projects Desktop Garden Onboarding Mental Health Breaks Several studies have shown that plants in your office have positive impact on concentration ability, work efficiency, job satisfaction, mental health, stress reduction, and sense of well-being. The studies suggest that plants on your desk improve mental health by enhancing attention capacity, increasing positive emotions, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Employers are increasingly incorporating desktop gardens into wellness benefits for employees due to their numerous mental and physical health benefits. Desktop gardens help reduce stress, boost mood, and enhance overall well-being by providing a calming presence and a connection to nature within the workspace. These miniature gardens can improve air quality, leading to a healthier work environment, and have been shown to increase productivity and creativity. By promoting a greener workspace, employers aim to foster a more positive and engaging atmosphere, ultimately contributing to employee satisfaction and retention. #WorkplaceWellness #EmployeeEngagement #GardeningBenefits #Gardenuity #MentalHealth #Wellbeing

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲? 🌎 #Wellness is more than just activities and consumption. I believe wellness can also be the environments we live in—from the design of our homes and offices to the quality of air, light, and community around us. In this Wallpaper* article, the authors take an in-depth look at how architecture can actively make us healthier. Here are the key insights 👇 🌞 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 & 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿  • Exposure to natural light boosts circadian rhythms, improves sleep, and supports vitamin D levels. Smart lighting now mimics sunrise-to-sunset cycles indoors.  • Biophilic design—from plant-filled offices to garden terraces every three floors at London’s The Round—is proven to lower stress and speed recovery.  • Colour psychology matters: calming blues and greens improve focus, while warmer tones energize social spaces. 💨 𝗔𝗶𝗿, 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 & 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿  • At Valentyns workspace in Cologne, wellness-driven design (daylight systems, acoustics, saunas, IV drips) led to a 30% drop in sick days.  • Clean air and thermal comfort are becoming non-negotiable. Developers are adopting natural ventilation, filtration, and geothermal systems to support long-term health.  • Decluttered, minimalist layouts aren’t just aesthetic—they reduce cognitive overload and support mental clarity. 🏙️ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 & 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻  • Wellness architecture isn’t just about single buildings. The 15-minute city model—where daily needs are accessible by foot or bike—creates healthier, more connected communities.  • The global wellness economy is being fueled by Gen Z and Millennials who already account for 41% of US wellness spending.  • Leading designers argue architecture must not only function but also delight and heal—turning spaces into tools for human flourishing. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺: Wellness is no longer just what we do or consume. It’s increasingly about how the spaces themselves are built to help us thrive. #WellnessRealEstate #WellnessHomes #WellnessOffice #WellnessDesign #WellnessIndustry #Wellness #Architecture #WellnessBuilding https://lnkd.in/eDpRtUmr