Nuffield Health looks after your health and wellbeing in ways that go beyond getting you fit and getting you back on your feet, that's what makes us specialists in you.
British Heart Foundation (BHF) research has found that 41% of employees feel that work-related stress is having a negative impact on their health. As many as 22% say it's causing them to drink more and 9% to smoke more.
The research, conducted as part of the charity's Heart Week, warns that combined with prolonged periods of inactivity whilst at work, this could have a disastrous effect on employees' health, and the company's bottom line.
Businesses lose £8bn annually to productivity reduction as a result of heart and circulatory conditions, but minimising this loss could be as simple as encouraging some occupational health techniques.
Nuffield Health Clinical Lead Physiotherapist, Simon Cabot, says: "Our bodies are designed to move and, as a result of our sedentary lifestyle, a lack of movement is often the common cause for a variety of health ailments.
"Minor changes to your day can help to protect against a variety of health issues."
The following top tips from Simon could help employees reduce stress, maintain a healthy posture and improve circulation:
- Try to follow the 55/5 rule - for every hour that you sit at your desk, spend five of those minutes moving around
- Offer to make the tea round or head out for a walk at lunchtime rather than sitting at your desk
- Take the stairs instead of the lift where possible
- Stand up every time you take a phone call
- Regularly stretch your arms overhead rotating your body and neck each direction.
Just 20 minutes of exercise a day could dramatically improve your health.