Strategies to include sports activities at the workplace

Many studies have proved the benefits of practicing sporting activities at the workplace. According to the research, ‘sport and recreation have a large positive effect on raising morale, motivation, and better mood and atmosphere in the working environment.’ Being motivated and having a positive attitude allows people to better communicate, build stronger relations during teamwork activities, and improve the quality of interpersonal relationships. It’s all about building a ‘culture of wellness’ that will make everyone feel part of the team.

Most importantly, according to a recent study commissioned by the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, the fact of proposing various types of physical activity at the workplace improves the individuals’ physical activity behaviours in general.

But what are the main strategies for including such type of activities in the working routine?

Find the right organization and timing

If your company offers you the chance to be part of a wellness program or reactive moments, try and attend all sessions. Don’t go after excuses. It’s all about finding the right organization and planning. Don’t procrastinate and take this sort of initiative seriously. Practicing sporting activities at work will boost your productivity and help you be more focused and relaxed.

Set yourself constant goals and be consistent

It is important to set yourself specific objectives and a certain type of regularity. Share those goals with your peers. That might help all other team members that haven’t yet selected their objectives. It’s a great way of building authentic and strong business relationships. Never underestimate the value of a shared goal.

It’s all about teamworking

In general, different types of sport have the ability of being inclusive and improve qualities such as confidence, discipline and communication. Using sporting activities in order to improve the quality of teamworking is a great way of creating new strategies that can help people during group activities and challenging projects.

Keep in mind that consistent sporting activities can reduce stress

Harvard Medical School performed a research that proved that ‘the mental benefits of aerobic exercise have a neurochemical basis. Exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators.’ If you keep in mind that by doing sports your stress levels finally drop, it may improve your motivation for being more consistent. Numerous studies have shown that sports have a positive impact on your physical and mental health. For an employer, it’s about introducing a ‘smart, business conscious decision.’

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