How can Couch to 5K Improve the Wellbeing of Your Employees

 

After a tiring day at work, you just want to relax on your couch and watch your favorite TV show.

Fighting back these feelings, you may hit the gym, but mostly you want to snuggle on your couch and relax.

Do you know your body stays younger if you keep yourself busy? 

Inactivity can significantly affect productivity.

Likewise, it attracts many health risks such as poor posture, being overweight, low energy levels, breathlessness, strokes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stiff joints.

Resultantly productivity suffers.

As an employer, the health of your employees is crucial for the success of your organization. Motivating your employees to be physically active, boosts their overall wellbeing.

Nowadays, many corporate organizations are introducing Couch to 5K running program to their employees with excellent success outcomes.

What is Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K is a running plan for beginners. It’s a fantastic program designed to motivate anyone to run 5Km in just nine weeks.

It all started when Josh Clark, a new runner himself, wanted to motivate his 50 something mother to get off the couch and start running.

The plan works with the following schedule.

You’ll have to run three days a week with a day of rest in between. The program follows a different schedule for each of the nine weeks.

This running program brings tangible results because it gradually builds your stamina through running and walking.

It creates realistic expectations making the challenge practical and achievable right from the beginning.

Benefits of Couch to 5K

Running offers plenty of health benefits. It requires no fancy equipment, just a good pair of shoes––that’s comfortable and suitable for your foot size.

Running is a weight-bearing exercise. It helps build strong bones, increases bone density, and prevents osteoporosis.

It boosts your cardiovascular fitness, burns calories, strengthens muscles, and maintains a healthy weight range. Moreover, running offers plenty of mental benefits as well.

Taking up this Couch to 5K challenge boosts your self-confidence as you set a target and achieve a goal. Regular running is a great stress buster and has been proven to combat depression.

Key Benefits of Employee Wellness Programs

Employee wellness programs have a direct impact on the productivity of a company.

Employees who take part in these programs are healthier and more satisfied with their jobs. Here’s the lowdown of some of the benefits

Reduced health costs

A comprehensive review of 22 different studies found that for every dollar spent on the wellness program, the company saved $3.27 due to the lowered healthcare costs.

For example, if an employee adopts a healthy lifestyle, he has little chance of falling sick or getting injured, saving healthcare costs.

Improved productivity

One of the leading causes of poor performance is poor health. If an employee is tired and unhealthy, he feels less motivated to work.

Research studies have proved that employee wellness programs improve employee productivity and the company’s profit margins.

When an employee takes part in wellness programs, he adopts good behaviors such as regular exercise and healthy food practices, which will make him more motivated to complete the tasks.

Higher employee satisfaction

Employee morale and satisfaction are essential factors in your company’s success.

Participating in wellness programs creates a sense of satisfaction among employees.

For example, if an employee engages in the Couch to 5K program organized by your company and sees increased energy levels, weight loss, and improved health markers.

Naturally, he’ll feel a sense of gratitude and be more productive and work with a new zeal.

Breaks the monotony

Repetitive actions day after day makes work tedious and tiring. As a result, employee morale and productivity decrease. When your employees participate in thrilling activities such as the Couch to 5K program, they feel engaged and motivated.

Learning new things is energizing and breaks the monotony. These kinds of fitness programs create enthusiasm among your employees and create a cordial and lively work environment.

So why not try to adopt the Couch to 5k running program and help your employees enjoy a new sense of wellbeing?