Five tips to get staff active: The mental benefits of physical activity

With the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week ‘moving for our mental health’, we dig into the connections between physical activity and mental health and offer some tips for employers to get their staff more active.

As many as 60% of UK adults admit that anxiety impacts their daily lives, according to UK charity Mental Health Foundation, and one in 10 in the workplace are suffering from anxiety or depression, the most recent Britain’s Healthiest Workplace survey revealed.

The good news, however, is that Vitality data helps prove how much physical activity and mental wellbeing are intrinsically linked.

According to findings from those who engage with the Vitality Programme, members who exercise at least three days every week were found to have a 33% lower risk of anxiety and depression compared with less active members¹.

Simultaneously, members who are active are more likely to improve their mental wellbeing over time.

5 simple tips to get staff active

1. Every little helps

Given the sedentary nature of many workplaces and the fact many staff are now working from home (permanently or on a more flexible basis), making physical activity achievable can be a gamechanger. There’s no need to dedicate hours at a time to exercise. Instead, short, ‘snackable’ bursts – whether that’s a 15-minute HIIT workout first thing or a short jog or walk during the lunch break – can do wonders for our health.

2. Build in activity

Given our busy lifestyles it’s also helpful if physical activity fits into our daily routine. This can mean offering staff tips to build less structured activity into their week. For example, is there a section of the work commute that could be more active. This might entail getting off the bus one stop early or walking to the train station rather than driving. Even walking the stairs rather than taking the lift at the office can make a big difference. For those working at home, a remote workout or online yoga class could be just the ticket.

3. Everyone is different

What works for one staff member might not work for another. Vitality’s Head of Exercise and Physical Activity Jonny Kibble’s advice is: “Just do something you enjoy”. This could be something as simple as buying a skipping rope or throwing a frisbee in a near-by park. “Gyms are also a great place to find new activities to try where there are experts on hand to help you,” he adds. This is why offering a diverse range of benefits – from gym discounts to step challenges to mindfulness rewards – linked to insurance stand more chance of having mass appeal across the workforce.

4. Small nudges and incentives

As human beings, finding motivation and making healthy choices is not always easy. This applies to employees too. However, according to behavioural economics, small nudges and incentives are often what’s need to hack our innate tendency towards instant gratification. For example, rewarding employees for doing just 10,000 steps three times a week with a handcrafted coffee from Caffe Nero is proven to be effective at increasing physical activity levels for those who engage with the Vitality Programme³.

5. Form a run (or walk) club

With many workplaces enjoying more social interaction, getting together in a group to run in our lunch breaks – or even stroll around the block or park – can help boost office morale and help all employees to be held accountable. Businesses will find the outcome is usually positive, offering staff a chance to mingle and make friends too.

1. Vitality research into Vitality Programme data 2023
2. Group running as effective as antidepressants in boosting mental health (thetimes.co.uk)
3. Vitality member data analysis 2023.