There is something called ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ and although it might not sound familiar the symptoms might ring a bell. A study conducted by the Liverpool John Moores University has shown office workers becoming ill with these symptoms since work environments have incorporated air-conditioning constantly in their offices. Air-conditioning is not the only cause as contaminated fresh air can create similar issues.

Fresh air can be affected by emissions being released from the building and exhausts from cars in the area also creating ‘Sick Building Syndrome’. These symptoms can include headaches, itchiness of the eyes, nose and throat, as well as dizziness. Though these are not lingering issues (usually resolved a few moments after leaving the workplace) they still create an inconvenience for at least eight hours a day. This creates inactivity in the workplace as people feel themselves declining even if they are keeping cool.

But this is where it all turns around. By incorporating plants into the work environment workers are able to fight back against these symptoms. Plants are able to combat the negative effects of air-conditioning and the pollution in the air. The air is purified through the process of photosynthesis, leaving us a healthier work environment. This process can also help to remove unpleasant odours (maybe the stench of your desk buddy who forgot to use his deodorant this morning).

This is not all plants are capable of though. A study also found a higher productivity rate of employees when plants were brought into the workplace. This growth in productivity can also be due to having natural surroundings, claiming it can have a ‘reset button’ quality to it.

The only negative to real plants is the upkeep of them but luckily many indoor plants do not require much attention. Consider plants that only have to be watered once a week or less like aloe vera, a zebra plant or a peace lily.

Happy planting riders!

Would you like to increase your life expectancy and become 3 times more productive? Of course, you do. This can simply be accomplished through your workday. Employers and employees can benefit from incorporating healthier habits for everyone in the workplace. It can begin by offering healthy snacks to engaging your office into physical acitvity. 

Physical acitvity in the office? Yes. It’s easier than you think. By providing a space for employees to be active in their spare time you can increase worker productivity, lower sick days and increase employee satisfaction all while improving corporate image.

Consider converting your meeting room into a makeshift gym. You don’t need to buy a treadmill or dumbbells or blast obnoxious music that dissipates your staff motivation. There are many exercises that can be completed with no equipment at all, you just need a space. You could ask employees to bring in their yoga mats and have a relaxing session of stretching or maybe a quick planking competition. The quick burst of energy many feel after exercising will help the afternoon lull. Some employees prefer a more structured setting so creating mini-classes for employees can be beneficial for their health as well as creating better relationships in the office. 

Create movement in the workplace and join Tour de Office in quitting the sit.

If you haven’t yet ridden with Tour de Office but are thinking of giving it a go, we have some valuable statistics here for you.

We asked all of our riders last year to complete a short survey and we are happy to say that we have come back with positive results!

98% felt engaged during the event

97% said they would ride again

94% enjoyed raising money for charity

68% indicated that participating in the event motivated them to exercise during the working day

Why did they feel this way? These were the 4 most popular responses we received.

The Competition.

This response continued to pop up over and over again. Beating their colleagues either through their fundraising or distance rode or both seemed to be enough motivation to keep them going. Sometimes there really is nothing better than some good ole friendly competition.

Self-accomplishment

Many riders enjoyed the feeling of self-accomplishment as they reached or surpassed the tough goals they had set for themselves.

Fun

They had fun! This was not just due to individuals enjoying the event but many responses spoke about the positive atmosphere. With so many employees having fun through the event week, it created an enjoyable work environment. One response stated that: ‘it’s a great week to be in the office’.

Being active

“Motivating people to exercise during the work day.”  

“Doing something other than sitting at a desk.”

“Getting some exercise during work hours.”

These are all responses from our riders.

Love is in the air. Valentine’s day – or as known by single people: February 14th – is already here and everyone is in the spirit of buying overpriced chocolates, stuffed bears and dying flowers. But the question to ask is, are we actually gifting the right person? Maybe there is someone else in our lives we are overlooking who is supplying us with a healthier and happier workplace.

Most people in the workplace have a work wife or husband, that person who they can rely on to make their workweek slightly more bearable. Work spouses are more than just our desk buddies, they are what pull us through those dragged out meetings, those ‘I just can’t do it’ days and those taxing weeks when everything has piled onto itself.

Maybe they just bring you a cup of coffee in the morning or maybe they are ready to help you become more active in the workplace. You share an intense connection with your work spouse that could combat your actual relationship. They’re the Sherlock to your Watson, the JD to your Turk, the Cristina to your Meredith.

But did you know that your work spouse can lead to higher productivity in the workplace (even if you may not feel like you’re actually working). This higher productivity is due to the trusting friendship you have built. A study by McBride, a professor at Creighton University, has proven to have that special someone in the workplace can assist in managing your stress and preventing burnouts so you have more time for what you want (possibly training for Tour de Office). The health benefits supplied by having a work spouse can lead from emotional support to physical with afternoon walks after work or Saturday morning yoga.

So this Valentine’s day, don’t forget to thank the one who is there for you eight hours a day, five days a week. Without them, we would not be working in the happier and healthier working environments we have.