Our research, of over 2,000 employees, shows businesses are facing a major energy crisis, which is costing British businesses millions of pounds.
The majority of people surveyed score just 30-40% on the key drivers of good health and energy. This means many employees are either having to take days off work because they are sick or they turn up to work feeling zapped of energy and are therefore unable to perform at their best.
The good news is that there is a huge opportunity for employers to improve productivity in 2013 by investing more in employee health and energy.
January and February are great months to kick off with any employee wellbeing related activity because it’s a time when many people set health related New Year resolutions. Doing something at the start of the year allows you to tap into the motivation of staff and really support them in achieving their goals.
So whether it’s improving your own health and energy or your team here are a few tips from me to get you started…
It’s all about habits
In my new book, ENERGISE YOU – The ultimate health and energy plan, I talk about habits. Essentially living a healthy energised life is about creating healthy habits. If you can make the healthy choices 80% of the time, you can then leave 20% of the time to be flexible with life.
Turn your diet on its head
Eat a high energy breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack so dinner is light. For example, healthy protein, lots of vegetable and no heavy carbohydrates. This aids digestion, boosts energy and helps with weight loss.
Ditch technology at least one hour before bed
To improve your sleep,simply stay away from the television, laptop, phone and any other technology at least an hour before you go to bed.
Reduce the big 4 modern addictions:
– Sugar
– Caffeine
– Technology
– Excessive thinking
Less of these = more energy
More of these = less energy
20 minute of morning movement
Kickstart your energy each day with 20 minutes of movement, doesn’t matter what, as long as you’re moving e.g. 20 minutes of yoga at home, 20 minute fast walk or cycle into work.
Diarise your high-energy people
The people you love quite often leave you feeling energised, so make sure you see them each week to re-energise.
Stop multitasking it’s draining your energy
Instead of trying to do everything, try to focus on one thing at a time. Your energy will improve as a result and life will be richer and more fulfilling.
End of work brain dump
Giving yourself 10 minutes of stop time at the end of your working day to brain dump will help you switch off from work, it will help your evening energy and it aids sleep.
Maximise food energy
Combining slow release carbohydrates and protein in each meal and snack will provide you with great sustained energy for 3-4 hours.
Break from computers
We weren’t designed to sit for hours in front of that box. Make sure you take a break every hour and always take your lunch away from computer.
Take action on your biggest problem
What’s the BIG problem that’s draining your energy. Write it down and set yourself three actions to move towards a resolution.
