I've written about the 5 building blocks to a a healthier and more productive day previously. That article was so popular that I've since given numerous lunch and learn and breakfast briefings going in to more detail on those 5 areas.
If you didn't get to read the article then fear not. I've condensed the main talking points in to a 3 minute, commuter friendly video
Read MoreIt’s an exciting time for workplace health promotion in Ireland. Businesses are coming around to the fact that healthy workers are happier and more productive. This trend has not gone unnoticed by a number of organisations. Ibec, the business and employer association, launched a national workplace wellbeing accreditation called the “KeepWell Mark” late in 2017. Later this month the team behind Great Place to Work are launching a new programme called “Healthy Place to Work” and the government body Healthy Ireland are working on a project called the “Healthy Workplace Initiative”. So within a 12 month period it looks likely that we will have gone from no recognised certifications to three separate bodies offering an award for workplaces with a real heath focus in Ireland.
Read MoreI'm asked this question all the time and it really amazes me how few people are aware of even the minimum requirements for healthy adults. In the short video below, I talk about the World Health Organization's recommended levels of physical activity for adults.
Are you hitting the minimum recommended levels? Check out the video to find out!
Read MoreIt was a real pleasure to chat with Mary Mullins from the In Business show on Radio Kerry during the week. We spoke about the role employees and employers have to play in making workplaces healthy places to spend time in, we discussed the recommended physical activity guidelines for healthy adults and we even had time to consider what the office of the future might look like with Fitbit's Dublin offices providing the inspiration for that.
Read MoreIt’s important to lay a solid foundation to give yourself every chance of having a healthy and a productive day at work. There will always be factors that impact our day that are outside of our control. How we deal with these unplanned issues and events is important and the more prepared we are the better chance we have of hurdling them successfully without allowing them to negatively impact our day.
There are 5 areas that are fully within our control that I always try to stay on top of. They are the building blocks of my day and lay the foundations for my most productive days at work.
Read MoreWhen I hear the word “snacking” mentioned it often comes with a negative or unhealthy connotation. This should not be the case. Snacking is great way to support a balanced diet and should be encouraged. During a busy day at work, good quality snacks can help get you through the long mornings until lunch and over the final furlong in the afternoon before dinner time. Of course from a nutrition and health perspective, it’s really important to pay attention to the snacks you’re consuming.
Read MoreA few weeks ago I spoke about my plans to tackle Ireland's highest mountain, Carrauntoohil. I'm delighted to report that the climb was a success. My good friend and I managed to reach the summit despite the testing conditions and the mental obstacles that we placed before ourselves. The visibility was so bad as we made our way towards the famous "devil's ladder" section that we couldn't see the mountain we intended to climb!
Read MoreKeeping a healthy lifestyle seems to become progressively harder as time goes on. This seems to become even more so, once you get stuck in that 40+ hour work week as we all do. When it gets more difficult to find time to work out you need to be able to prioritize the best bang for your buck activities.
Did you know that cycling as little as 15 minutes a day can have a profound impact on your overall health? Cycling to work is a great way to fit some exercise into your work day if you have that option. The benefits aren't limited to road cycling though, you can take a spin class, ride your bike on a trainer or even just go to your local gym!
Read MoreWorking in an office can be hard work and can be hard on your body. Sitting in front of computer screens for the majority of a 40-hour workweek can cause health problems of many varieties if these problems aren’t in some way mitigated. The good news is there are plenty of things that employees can do for themselves in their offices to head off some of the common health risks, some off their own initiative and some at the suggestion or urging of management. Health insurance benefits on the other hand can be a catch-all for employee health risks at the office, giving employees a way to handle issues as they arise.
Read MoreThe big day is almost here. Ireland's Workplace Wellbeing Day takes place this Friday, April 13th 2018. The great news is that you can still register totally free of charge. Check out my article here to find out all the details including how to register.
I've been receiving so much feedback and questions on Wellbeing Day this year. It's wonderful to see such an interest in this from Irish businesses. I don't think there can be any doubt that employers are switching on to the fact that supporting the health and wellness of their employees is beneficial for everyone involved.
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