Nothing is going to stop you from reaching your goals in 2019. If you’re like us, you probably have started planning your upcoming year’s projects; both privately as well as within your work.
What could possibly get in the way of that? Poor health.
Nothing is more of a disappointment than your agendas, goals, or even dreams being interrupted because of being ill. Office workers tend to be in contact with lots of people (co-workers and/or the public), which means a higher chance of getting someone else’s bacterial infection or virus.
The “smart” office
Forward-thinking offices have realized the benefits of healthier employees. They are statistically happier and more productive. Having healthy workers also saves the company money from downtime, getting temp workers to fill in, and from other disruptions in their business agendas.
Here are five of the most beneficial investments an office can make in keeping everyone there healthier, this winter season.
1. Invest in hand sanitizer
Besides washing our hands often, disinfecting them statistically shows to reduce the spread of Offering hand sanitizer in the bathrooms or on workers’ desks really helps cut down on contacting or spreading a plethora of illnesses and diseases.
Teaching people about hand washing helps them, their coworkers, and their families stay healthy. Here are a few statistics from the CDC:
• Germs from unwashed hands can be transferred to other objects, like handrails, tabletops, computer keyboards, smartphones, and then transferred to another person’s hands.
• Reduces the number of people who get sick with stomach flu by 23–40%
• Reduces respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by 16–21%
2. Stock up on the ginger and green tea
Offering employees tea is beneficial on many levels; Drinking tea together gives us all a time and reason to be social and interact with each other, as well as offer significant healthy, medicinal benefits.
Green tea has a catechin called, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), known to damage influenza virus particles and stop them from entering your system; and fresh ginger can inhibit the respiratory syncytial virus from attaching to cells and may even reduce its ability to replicate.
3. Invest in exercise/training memberships
To help employees to stay fit and keep their immune system up, considering offering a gym membership or a workout room with a shower for employees to train in during their breaks; or before/after work. Not enough room in your building? Lots of fitness chains also offer free, one week or even, one-month trial memberships to get people started!
4. Invest in a humidifier
Did you know that the most common cold viruses thrive and survive longer in low humidity? Also, cold weather may make the lining of your nose drier and more vulnerable to an infection by a virus. The ideal humidity level for comfort and health in your office/indoor environment should be between 30 and 50 percent.
5. Invest in your air quality
We admit, we are biased, but this one no doubt, is our favorite investment!
Airborne particles including bacteria and viruses run rampant indoors during the winter season because of the lower humidity, as well as buildings becoming more ”sealed off“, in order to keep in the heat in. Then, there’s the issue with more people becoming sick in the colder months, allowing germs to become airborne through coughing, sneezing, or simply just breathing. Having an air purifier in the office is one of the best investments in keeping everyone healthier. Not only does an air purifier clean the air from germs and viruses, but from all types of air particles, including dust, hair, pollen, mold, and other allergens. Your office’s air quality will be significantly cleaner and healthier.
Summary
Whether you own a business, manage an office or work in one; use and share these tips to help you enjoy a great start to the new year and a healthier winter!
