It’s been said many times: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly transformed the way we work, with remote work becoming the new norm for many employees. As companies are beginning to consider the return to the office, the transition can be challenging for both employers and employees, as they navigate the need for a safe and productive work environment. One strategy that companies can employ to ease this transition is offering healthy snacks as perks to employees. This article explores the benefits of providing healthy snacks in the workplace and how it can boost productivity and overall employee satisfaction.

The Shift to Remote Work and the Need for a Smooth Transition

The COVID-19 pandemic forced companies around the world to quickly adapt to remote work. Employees had to adjust to working from home, often facing challenges such as blurred boundaries between work and personal life, increased distractions, and the loss of social interactions with colleagues. However, as the world gradually recovers from the pandemic, companies are now considering the return to the office. This transition requires careful planning and consideration to ensure a smooth and successful reintroduction to the workplace.

The Role of Healthy Snacks as Perks in the Return to the Office

As companies plan for the return to the office, it is important to prioritize employee satisfaction and well-being. Offering healthy snacks as perks can play a significant role in creating a positive work environment and boosting employee morale. Healthy snacks provide employees with nourishment and energy throughout the day, leading to improved focus, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.

The Link Between Healthy Snacks and Productivity

Numerous studies have shown a strong connection between nutrition and cognitive performance. When employees have access to healthy snacks in the workplace, they are more likely to make nutritious choices that can enhance their brain function and productivity. Nutrient-rich snacks, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support brain health and optimal cognitive function.

A study conducted by the University of Otago found that eating fruits and vegetables was associated with increased happiness, well-being, and productivity. Another study published in the British Journal of Health Psychology revealed that employees who consumed more fruits and vegetables reported higher levels of creativity, engagement, and satisfaction with their work.

By offering healthy snacks as perks, employers can encourage their employees to make healthier choices, leading to improved cognitive function, focus, and overall job performance.

The Impact of Healthy Snacks on Employee Satisfaction

Employee satisfaction is crucial for maintaining a positive work environment and retaining top talent. Providing healthy snacks as perks shows that employers care about the well-being of their employees, which can contribute to higher job satisfaction and loyalty.

A survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that 80% of employees considered workplace wellness programs, including the provision of healthy snacks, as an important factor in choosing an employer. Moreover, the same survey revealed that employees who had access to healthy snacks and wellness programs reported higher levels of job satisfaction and were more likely to recommend their company as a great place to work.

By offering healthy snacks as perks, employers can create a positive workplace culture that promotes employee satisfaction and well-being.

Strategies for Implementing Healthy Snacks as Perks

Implementing a healthy snacks program in the workplace requires careful planning and consideration. Here are some strategies to effectively introduce healthy snacks as perks to employees:

1. Conduct Employee Surveys and Assess Preferences

Before implementing a healthy snacks program, it is important to understand the preferences and dietary needs of employees. Conducting surveys or focus groups can provide valuable insights into the types of snacks employees prefer, whether they have any dietary restrictions, and any specific health goals they may have. This information will help in selecting a variety of snacks that cater to different tastes and dietary requirements.

2. Choose Nutritious and Diverse Snack Options

When selecting snacks to offer, opt for nutritious options that provide a balance of macronutrients and essential vitamins and minerals. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grain snacks, and protein-rich options. This diversity ensures that employees have access to a wide range of nutrients and can choose snacks that align with their personal preferences and dietary needs.

3. Consider Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

It is essential to consider any allergies or dietary restrictions among employees when selecting snacks. Ensure that there are options available for individuals with common allergies such as gluten, dairy, or nuts. Labeling the snacks clearly with ingredient information can help employees make informed choices and prevent any allergic reactions.

4. Promote Mindful Snacking and Education

Encourage employees to practice mindful snacking by providing educational resources on the benefits of healthy eating and tips for making nutritious choices. Consider organizing workshops or lunch-and-learn sessions on topics such as healthy snacking, meal planning, and the importance of balanced nutrition. This promotes a culture of wellness and empowers employees to make informed choices about their nutrition.

5. Create a Dedicated Snack Area

Designate a specific area in the office where employees can access the healthy snacks. This area should be easily accessible and well-stocked to ensure employees can enjoy their snacks throughout the day. Consider providing refrigeration for perishable snacks and a variety of storage options for non-perishable items.

6. Regularly Evaluate and Update Snack Offerings

Periodically assess the success of the healthy snacks program by gathering feedback from employees and tracking snack consumption. Use this information to make adjustments and introduce new snack options based on employee preferences and changing dietary trends. Regularly refreshing the snack offerings keeps employees engaged and excited about the program.

As companies navigate the return to the office, it is crucial to prioritize employee satisfaction and well-being. Offering healthy snacks as perks can play a significant role in creating a positive work environment and boosting productivity. Nutrient-rich snacks provide employees with the necessary fuel to enhance cognitive function and focus, leading to improved job performance. Moreover, providing healthy snacks demonstrates a commitment to employee wellness, fostering a positive workplace culture that promotes job satisfaction and loyalty. By implementing strategies for offering healthy snacks, companies can create a successful transition back to the office and support the overall well-being of their employees.

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After leaving adidas in 2019, Eric Liedtke has continued to make an impact in the industry. He is currently serving as a Senior Advisor to the private equity firm Advent International, where he provides strategic guidance and support for investments in the consumer, retail, and leisure sectors. He is also a board member of several companies, including the outdoor apparel brand Arc’teryx and the fitness technology company Hydrow.

Outshining these accomplishments is one crown jewel, Unless Collective.  A company of innovative thinkers dedicated to the development of the first athletic shoe (The Degenerative) that is completely plastic-free. They rose to the challenge and solved for every issue, right down to the tip of the shoelace that keeps it from fraying (called an “aglet” – you are welcome, trivia fans.)

The Making of a Degenerative Disrupter

garten CEO Michael Heinrich recently sat down with Eric where the two connected on a shared passion for a regenerative world and Eric shared some wisdom on his personal wellness philosophy.

After 25 years in the corporate world, Eric wanted to take back his time – his mantra was “zero wasted hours”.  With every decision he asks himself, “Am I helping myself, my friend, my family or my world?”  All his decisions are based on that one question.  “This gives me peace of mind and 100% satisfaction.” 

Eric has been a vegan for the last 7-8 years and practices intermittent fasting.  He does yoga every morning with his wife (and sometimes the kids).  He gets a workout in at lunchtime and finds that working up a sweat midday kicks him into a productive, energetic afternoon.  He also has personal aspirations to continue surfing, constantly improving his game and connecting with his deep love for the ocean. 

He recently renovated a house, making sure to incorporate a sauna, and cold plunge pool.. Trying to go plastic-free in household goods, textiles, and furniture has been a bit more of a challenge, but if he can find a natural solution for an athlete shoe… the hunt may be on for a plastic-free mattress soon!  We wouldn’t put it past him. 

Watch the full conversation at garten.co/infinity.

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This is Part 3 of a 3-part Series: The Non-negotiables of a Breakroom.

Creating a modern, inviting breakroom for employees is essential for maintaining an efficient, productive workplace. You first have to ask yourself, what is the point of a breakroom?  A break room is a designated area where employees can take a break from their daily tasks. It is a place where they can socialize with co-workers and relax. A break room allows workers to re-energize and refresh. It can also be used as a space to collaborate, share ideas, and work on projects together.

In talking with some of the experts in the field, there seems to be 3 “must have” aspects to consider when you are creating a break room that employees will love and appreciate. 

Fun

The more serious your work is, the more you need to have fun on your breaks. 

• A great way to unwind and destress is to play games. Pool tables, air hockey, darts and other interactive games can add a greater physical element to sideline stress and help employees regain focus.  
• If space is limited, consider having a community puzzle everyone can work on, or a community white board where a trivia question is posed or a story is started and each person adds a word.
• Decorations for the season, events and holidays; a bulletin board with an employee highlight of the month: favorite foods, pets, family, hobbies.

Functional

Quick – what are the top three things you think when you hear the words “take a break”? 

• Put your feet up and relax
• Have a cup of exceptional, fresh coffee
• Grab a snack or some lunch

If your break room allows for those three, you have yourself a functional break room.  But don’t stop there!  There’s coffee… and then there’s coffee. Is your break room truly a place where people can go to relax, or are there TVs blaring & fluorescent lights glaring? Are the fridge, microwave, and coffee pot clean?  Is it a place where people can enjoy their lunch, helping your employees to “rest & digest”?  Your answers to these questions will help you determine if your break room is serving its intended purpose or not.  
At garten, visual merchandising is a cornerstone of our brand experience. We’ve built our experience to influence healthy and productive decisions, while making it a place where your team can connect, refuel, and relax. We always use the best materials, natural elements, varied textures and eye-catching pieces.  Let us know how we can help you design a functional break room that ticks all the boxes!

reFreshing

Ultimately, if you are not walking away from your break feeling refreshed and ready for another round of work, then there is room for improvement.  We at garten put the emphasis on “fresh”.  You can’t “re” fresh without it.  And, when we think fresh, we think of food.  You have to ask yourself if the snacks available in the break room are reflecting this ideal.  When your employees eat from the food that is available, will they tank 90 minutes later?  Will their blood sugar crash from the rushed energy buzz they get from over-processed, sugar high carbs?  Or will they stay steady through the afternoon by having a balance of healthy carbs, good fat, and high quality protein?

When we asked, “What are ‘must-haves’ in a Fun, reFreshing, and Functional break room?”, the answer was fresh healthy food providing energy to get through the day.  But variety is also key, keeping the selection fresh and seasonal as well, with great merchandising to draw the eye in and options that are healthier overall.  That’s why, at garten, we are committed to providing the best training for our partners that aligns with the “look and feel” of the vision of the program through 3 different avenues:

1. In-Office Kitchen: One solution for offering employees healthy food during work hours is to have an in-office kitchen. This kitchen can be equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, and other appliances that allow employees to prepare their own meals. Having an in-office kitchen also allows for the implementation of a company-wide initiative to reduce processed and unhealthy food options.
2. Catered Meals: Another solution is to offer catered meals for employees during work hours. Garten works with local catering companies that specialize in healthy and nutritious meals. This option can be especially beneficial for companies that have a high employee turnover rate or for those who have employees that work long hours.
3. Employee Education: A third solution is to offer employee education on healthy eating. This can be done through our self-serve garten Experiences platform with workshops, seminars, or online resources. By educating employees on the importance of healthy eating and providing them with the tools and resources they need to make healthier food choices, companies can create a culture of health and wellness.  From a recent nutrition class held, “Janine was well knowledgeable about nutrition and Nuance employees had wonderful feedback!”. 

Overall, by providing employees with these non-negotiable resources, companies can improve employee productivity, reduce absenteeism, and promote a culture of health and wellness. It’s important to remember that different solutions will work better for different companies and it’s important to find the right combination of solutions that work best for your organization and employees.  Let us know how we can help!

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This is Part 1 of a 3-part Series: The Sensible Breakroom.

Break rooms are an essential part of any workplace, allowing employees to take a break and de-stress. But what if you could make them even better? By designing a break room that uses all five senses, as well as the holistic approach to mind, body and environment, you can create a truly unique and multi-sensory environment that boosts productivity and wellbeing in the workplace.
Designing a break room that incorporates all five senses doesn’t have to be difficult.

Here are some tips to get you started:

Sights

Create an inviting environment with natural light and colors that stimulate the senses. 

• Windows & skylights are a plus, but you may be stuck working with what you’ve got.  So, instead of bright fluorescents, have lamps around with soft, ambient lighting. 
  
• You can also add wall hangings and decorations to personalize the space.
  
• Real plants (succulents are easy to keep alive!), and rotating artwork (especially done by employees) can create a fun creative space.

Smells

Incorporate natural scents like lavender, lemon or vanilla to soothe the senses and promote relaxation.  Be careful of using synthetic fragrances, as some are sensitive to those. 

• Open the window if possible to let in fresh air.  Bringing in an air purifier will help keep things fresh as well. 
  
• Try this for getting rid of burnt popcorn smell in microwaves: make a solution of 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of either lemon juice or vinegar in a microwave-safe container. Heat for 2-5 minutes, then wipe clean.
  
• Consider having an aromatherapy area, with blends used to de-stress, energize, or promote emotional health.  Have a small jar for each blend (labeled clearly).  Apply a drop or two of the oil blends on some cotton balls and till the container with them.  Encourage employees to take the cotton balls back to their desks for quick little pick ups throughout the day.

Touch

Make sure the furniture and amenities are comfortable and cozy, so that employees can really relax and recharge.  

• Provide footstools so employees can relieve tension in legs and low back
  
• Get a couple of massage pads that can be placed on the back of chairs
  
• Provide tactile activities that help relieve stress: adult coloring, clay or kinetic sand, stress balls, playing cards, etc. 

Sound

Create a calming atmosphere with low-level background music or natural sounds like birds chirping.  In addition:

• Provide headphones that offer noise canceling so employees can get away from sounds and take a moment in silence for meditation and relaxation. 
  
• Bring in a small counter or table top water feature to not only increase visual relaxation but audible as well. 
  
• Great conversations & laughter is always welcome – have a question or joke of the day posted on the bulletin board that helps people get to know each other and stimulate conversation.  Conversation cards on the tables can also be a fun way to interact with team members and associates. 

Taste

Of all the improvements you can make in your breakroom, this is the most important as it will impact your employees for hours to come.  Provide refreshments and snacks that are easy to access and enjoyable to eat. This can range from teas and coffees to healthy snacks and treats.  Making sure the offerings you have are intentional to give your workers the energy they need to get through the day, to handle the stress that comes with their workload, and to have brains ready to be creative and productive. 

• Good Fats – As noted by the NIH, “The human brain is nearly 60 percent fat. We’ve learned in recent years that fatty acids are among the most crucial molecules that determine your brain’s integrity and ability to perform.”  It is also important for us to avoid oils that were once thought of as “healthy”, but studies are showing they may cause scarring of the arterial wall.  Healthy Nuts, seeds and avocados as snacks are a great way to get this important macronutrient during the work day. 
  
• Good Carbs – yes!  We need carbs for energy, but we have to have the right ones at our fingertips.  When our bodies are tanking, we will start to crave the high carb snack that is the most convenient.  The healthiest sources of carbohydrates—unprocessed or minimally processed whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans—promote good health by delivering vitamins, minerals, fiber, and a host of important phytonutrients. (Harvard School of Public Health)
  
• Good Protein – the building blocks of endurance and strength. Supplying healthy snack power packed with protein will help employees feel nourished and ready to handle the workload ahead of them. If they are easy to grab, all the better.  Think hummus and veggie packs, cheese sticks, jerky, and yogurt.

Why not just let the employee bring in their own lunch or snacks?  Because you care (or you wouldn’t have read this far in the article… )  But, don’t feel like you have to do the heavy lifting yourself!  Companies like garten have been managing the staff break room for years, and are highly skilled at taking the guesswork out of what to provide as well as staying within budget.

The Sensible Solution

By incorporating all five senses in your break room, you can create a truly unique and multi-sensory environment that helps to promote productivity and wellbeing for your employees. With the right design and a few simple touches, you can make your break room the perfect place to step away from the office and recharge.  Take a moment to look around your breakroom – which of the 5 senses are the most in need of improvement?  What one small addition can you make today?

Next up: what are the non-negotiables in a breakroom atmosphere?

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This is Part 1 of a 3-part Series: Break Rooms as Art.

Can a breakroom actually be a thing of beauty?  With an emphatic yes, it is more than possible, it is a non-negotiable.  Here is why:

Employees feel they are valued like a Monalisa 

While 9 out of 10 executives may think their employees feel cared for, the truth is, only 56% employees believe this to be true.  This trend can be reversed with careful consideration of the employee’s needs in a breakroom. 

Morale is boosted and corporate culture is improved

Like any art enthusiast will tell you, it’s all about culture.  Having a place to go to let off steam, create a sense of community, remove a tense vibe and encourage mental breaks will help employees avoid burnout. 

The break room becomes a hub for interaction and collaboration

A creative space will breed creativity and fresh thoughts will brew over fresh coffee.  Make a place where the mind can relax and productivity will flow.  People will gather and share a meal as well as a great idea. 

Employees make more of their break time by staying on-site

As Forbes put it, “Chaining yourself to a desk or scarfing down your lunch in your cubicle isn’t a recipe for success – it’s a recipe for disaster.”  We agree! And for those going out to lunch, there is not much of a break when it’s all said and done.  Creating a great space to relax and eat allows your employees to enjoy more of their break time in a space that shows they are appreciated. 

An impressive meeting space is created for clients and guests

We hear this kind of feedback at garten.  “Other locations come to our site and comment in awe about the variety of healthy snacks they see”, said one manager.  He mentioned that his team is loving the variety that is offered through garten Kitchen. 

In addition to ample choices of high quality, nutritious food, we make sure your break rooms are beautifully stimulating spaces to gather. And then…

Your break room becomes a great selling feature for recruiting new talent

Potential employees would be wise to look for the 3 B’s when assessing a company’s culture and employee value:

Bathroom

How the employee bathroom is maintained says A LOT about how much an employee is valued by the company. 

The Boss’ Office

How does it compare to the general workspace?  If there is a big difference (windows vs. nothing but fluorescent lights), it is sending a message about whether employees are considered to be important contributors, or just cogs in the wheel. 

The Break Room

Does the break room welcome you, inviting you to re-energize and reconnect?  Is it well designed, stocked and maintained? Like a good work of art, does it attract and draw you in through all 5 of your senses?  In part 2 of this series we will go over what it means to have a “sensible” breakroom, including a tip sheet to help you achieve the break room of your dreams. 

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“[Salmon] hatch in a gravel bed in a stream somewhere deep in the wilderness, wiggle up into water current and eventually enter an overwhelmingly vast ocean. After years of swimming with whales and avoiding sharks, they travel sometimes thousands of miles back to that same little stream in that same wilderness where they reproduce and die.”

No maps, no guides, and no GPS units, but they manage the trip. 

How?

Through interacting with the earth’s magnetic field (and smell, but this isn’t an article about salmon migration). 

They solve the problem of getting back to the place they’ve only been once, by interacting with what is fundamental…in this case, the earth’s magnetic field. 

Dr. Tony Nader and garten CEO Michel Heinrich discussed in a recent garten Infinity Speaker Series interview how consciousness is highly practical to businesses wanting to be effective. 

With medical and scientific degrees from Harvard and MIT, Dr. Nader isn’t the average meditation teacher. He explains how an understanding of consciousness can propel businesses because it is how to cultivate a workforce with the clarity of vision to be truly effective. 

Why Should Business Leaders Care About Consciousness? 

The subject of consciousness is fascinating, but that’s not why it’s relevant to leaders. 

Instead, it’s because understanding consciousness is how you are able to interact with reality on a more fundamental level. The more closely your effort and innovation are applied to reality, the more valuable your company’s solutions will be.

What does it mean to say that consciousness is fundamental? 

Saying that consciousness is fundamental is saying that our physical world is an expression of consciousness as opposed to them being 2 separate things or that consciousness is a product of the physical world. 

It’s something like saying that steam, ice, and liquid water are all H2O. If you think that water is only liquid or only ice, you will not be able to see the bigger picture and you’ll make mistakes because of it. 

If you see H2O as fundamental, you can see that steam, ice, and liquid are all expressions of the same thing. 

The video at minute 10 discusses this:

Being effective comes from clarity of vision;

Clarity of vision comes from clarity of thinking;

Clarity of thinking comes from the source of thought;

The source of thought comes from deep within us which is consciousness.

Stress – the normal workplace reality – reduces the field of view. Stress restricts what can be considered. Practically speaking, stress reduces broad comprehension and long-term vision. 

Watch this famous video about the monkey business illusion to experience what happens with a narrowed focus. 

The Monkey Business Illusion

Just like you missed what are – in hindsight – obvious things, stress reduces focus to just what is thought to be the important details from the stressful standpoint. It’s remarkable what can be missed in that state. 

When a workforce is in a state of stress, physiology dictates that important pieces of the picture will be missed. Imagine what that means for your company… 

Wellbeing is a sustainable competitive advantage  

The most valuable problems to solve are the issues most fundamental to life on earth. When you cultivate a workforce that is more squarely dealing with reality, you will have more people who can discern between what matters and what is a distraction. 

If humans were salmon without valuing the reality of the magnetic field, we would devise all sorts of ways to navigate. The trouble is, the starting point would be away from reality – any of our solutions would be subpar. Move back to reality – sensing the magnetic field – and we can now ignore all of those clever innovations that we had to develop simply because we weren’t starting from reality. 

Dr. Nader explains that with meditation, people are able to experience – not just know about – this greater field of consciousness or awareness. The ability to tap into greater awareness is available, but its value in the business world has only begun to be realized – probably because we are only just awakening from the trance of hustle culture. 

Supporting workplace wellbeing is about more than being nice or having programs that attract good hires. Wellbeing is a sustainable competitive advantage. 

More about garten:

Business leaders committed to wellbeing in their own lives and in their companies bring in garten to support mind-body-environment wellbeing. Our bread and butter is setting up amazing food and kitchen programs that save your internal team time and stress while fueling your people with better-for-you food. We’re also expanding our offering of resources like on-demand yoga that can support your mission. If you see the ROI on investing in wellbeing, get started here. It’s easy and we are friendly. 

To your wellbeing!

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In most cases what’s good for the individual employee is good for the organization. When the organization cares for its employees – the employees are simply more open to using their discretionary effort to care for the organization. 

This observation comes from direct experience, and it holds up.

After all, an organization is made up of individuals – all with energy, all with emotion and all with a desire to do great things. 

However, in the post-pandemic era, it has become increasingly clear that employees’ well-being has taken a significant hit. Burnout looks to be at an all-time high and doesn’t seem to be getting any better with the chaos/confusion surrounding a return to the office and a potential recession staring us in the face.

What can we do? It Starts With You.

As leaders, I believe we have a 2-part obligation 

a) To be at our best  

b) To create an environment where everyone can be at their best 

I’ve thought about, researched, and tried several things that will build well-being into your culture. As I list them below, please remember what they say on the airplane…put your mask on first…meaning, wellbeing at your organization starts with you. 

Leaders hold the vision of what is possible. To create a company fueled from wellbeing, you first have to live it. It truly does start with you. 

5 Practical Steps Toward Workplace Wellbeing

#1 Priorities – Stop sacrificing ourselves

Trying to have energy like a superhero and being at your best are different things: When did “I was working on this until 4:00 am” actually become a badge of honor? I get the hustle – in fact, I’m all about hustling. And grit. However, hustling until the middle of the night isn’t something to brag about. “Pulling an all-nighter” is better left to college students who sleep until noon the next day. 

What if we changed the mindset FROM one of being obligated to sacrifice your own health with long nights TO one where wellbeing is good for the company? Instead of being obligated to sacrifice your personal health to get the work done, the obligation is to care for your wellbeing because that’s what success is built on. The company needs productive, high-performing people so the obligation is to stop working and get some rest.

Ideas for application:
Companies can implement more strict working hours to ensure employees are getting enough rest. Offering flexible or unlimited PTO, or switching to a 4-day work week, like garten has, can ensure productivity in the office is optimized and employees are getting enough rest.

#2 Food – Prioritize food because it’s what we’re made of

It always comes down to the food: As someone who has been watching my weight almost my whole life, eating right was very discouraging. Then I learned about using food to propel me forward in almost every aspect of my life and something clicked for me. Food is directly correlated to the energy I have and the work I’m able to produce. When I eat better, I feel better and therefore I produce better results. Sounds reasonable, right? 

YET…I worked for a large company not too long ago that subsidized their food service/cafeteria. Every day there was a ‘special’ that was usually heavy. Heavy protein, heavy sauce, heavy carbs, maybe some veggies… and a sugary dessert.  

Trying to do a good thing by creating affordable meals was actually detrimental to the health and wellbeing (and definitely productivity) of their employees. People would eat the special and wonder why they were dozing off during their afternoon calls/meetings. It’s called a ‘sugar crash’ and we’ve all heard of it. 

The food doesn’t have to be limiting, doesn’t have to taste bad, and it’s absolutely more than salads. In fact, it can be delicious, fresh and energizing – so when we go back to work we are no longer exhausted – instead, we are ready to take on the world.

Ideas for application:
Companies like garten can offer better-for-you catering & snacks in the office. Nutrient-dense, low sugar & simple carbohydrate food options can prevent the mid-day slump.

#3 Sleep – Everything we do improves with adequate sleep

It’s funny the way we can think biology doesn’t apply: For those with young children, it is obvious how important sleep is to feel great (or simply functional).  Remember how it was before children…you went to sleep and then you woke up – after 7 or 8 hours, feeling refreshed. The point is, lack of sleep leaves negative impacts everywhere. 

Let’s all agree to never police how many hours of sleep employees get. Instead, the magic comes from changing the culture around self-sacrifice for the sake of “productivity.” Setting the conditions for a successful career AND enough sleep is what business leaders can strive for. 

Improving sleep not only helps employees succeed at work, but it is also foundational to enjoying the rest of life. If we recognize that a company is made up of the individuals who work there, we’ll want to take note. 

Ideas for application:
Providing employees with times of day for purposeful pauses – of rest and relaxation – can help employees take a break, even nap when they are low on sleep. When working from home, you can offer more flexibility in scheduling to allow sufficient sleep for employees. This is something garten implements 2x times daily.

#4 Movement – Moving our bodies improves cognitive work

After all, the brain is connected to the body: I love to exercise. Actually, that’s not exactly true. I love how I feel after I work out. That feeling of finishing a tough hike, a workout using heavy weights, or crossing the finish line on the 5K (or 10K, or more…). 

There seems to be a direct correlation between how sweaty I am and how accomplished I feel. But, I learned something else during the pandemic…I learned that walking, just moving, is sometimes all we need to clear our brains and get rid of some stress. I mean, I always knew this intellectually – but during the pandemic – especially at the beginning – there was so much stress. There was so much unknown that I was able to feel it coming on in my body. I learned that when I started to feel that way, the best thing I could do for myself was go outside and take a walk. I walked a lot in March, April, and May of 2020. Just moving our bodies seems to give our brains a rest. It allows us time to take a few deep breaths and move forward.  

Ideas for application:
Providing employees with times of day for purposeful pauses – for walks, yoga, or movement – can help break up the monotony of meetings and improve employee performance. Think about offering a yoga or workout Zoom class to your employees, such as the garten Experiences team events. 

#5 Being intentional – Video calls aren’t the same as in-person meetings – we can experiment to find what works for our teams

Don’t treat a Zoom call like an in-person meeting: Why bring people together if they are going to be staring at a zoom screen? 

I love being with people face to face – problem-solving, thinking out loud, innovating, and collaborating. And while some of that can happen on a video call (or even less on the telephone), the magic just isn’t the same. There are plenty of things we can/should do that do not require facetime with anyone. Experiment with your team to find the right balance.

For this hybrid strategy to work, leaders need to understand exactly what our people are doing and parse the work accordingly. 

Ideas for application:
Companies should create hybrid policies around when it’s completely necessary to have employees come into the office.

Wellbeing Is A Great Investment 

My company wants long term performance and I imagine yours does too. To support long term performance, we must invest our focus into building systems that correlate with human biology. The fundamental issue is when company culture expects sustained productivity at the expense of wellbeing. 

Instead, let’s use these 5 steps as a guide to make the culture at our companies compatible with long-term productivity. 

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” 

-African proverb 

The definition of a company is going together. It’s time to start thinking and acting in ways that support productivity on the foundation of wellbeing. 

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Alicia Mandel has 30+ years of experience in high-profile companies as a thought leader in learning and leadership development, change management, organizational development, executive coaching, and workplace culture. As the Chief People Officer of garten, she puts her expertise to use working with leaders of organizations that want/need to make a change. She coaches high-potential and high-performing leaders to remove barriers to success. 

Today Alicia lives in Phoenix and enjoys traveling to see her clients all over the country. She has two adult (sort of) children – a 21-year-old son and an 18-year-old daughter. She has two dogs and enjoys a great glass of wine (or bourbon) as much as a great workout.

The post Building Wellbeing Into Your Culture To Improve Productivity Starts With You: 5 things business leaders need to do appeared first on garten.

We interviewed Nimai and asked him to share what his top tips for health, fitness, and wellbeing are heading into the new year. We’ve included our own top tips in our blog post below:

Nimai’s top tips for health, fitness & wellbeing in 2021:

Set a goal. You can’t work towards something if you don’t know what your goal is. Define that goal, be specific. Then give it a timeline. Be realistic. For example, set a reasonable goal like lose 10 lbs in 10 weeks. Break your goal down into bite size portions that work for you and track your progress.

Create an environment for success. For example, if you have a fitness goal, don’t buy junk food and expect not to eat it. Stock your fridge to support your goals—especially if you’re working from home. Hang up sticky notes to remind and inspire you. Create a vision board. Follow Instagram accounts that inspire and motivate you. Consume consciously.

Create an empowering routine. Even just a special hour of the day to empower your health, fitness, and wellbeing. The best time to do it is first thing in the morning. If you can’t do it in the morning, schedule it on your calendar. To take this even further, plan a second timeslot later in the day, such as after work, to get in another round of rejuvenation. An example of this would be meditating, reading, listening, or watching something inspirational and/or restorative, like going for a walk.

Eat more plants. Incorporate a more plant-centric diet. 80% of disease can be prevented through a plant-based diet & a healthy lifestyle. You don’t have to go full vegan, just incorporate more plants. Many professional athletes are doing this to fuel their training, competition, and recovery (as seen in James Cameron’s Documentary “The Gamechangers“). You don’t have to become a professional athlete but you can learn from their empowering habits and integrate them into your daily life.

Check-in with your breath. Set a reminder/alarm in your phone for once or twice a day to check in with your breath and body. We often don’t realize that we’re holding a lot of tension in our body by either holding our breath or taking really short breaths, which leaves us feeling stressed and tensed up. Try this simple breath-practice: Close your eyes. Put your left hand on your belly and your right hand on your heart. Take three deep breaths, feeling your heartbeat and your breath with your hands. Then say hello to yourself (I.E. “Hello, Nimai”). As you do this, relax your eyebrows, let go of the tension in your face, relax your shoulders, and place your awareness inside of your body.

Curated by Vedge Nutrition’s Nimai Delgado

garten’s top work health, fitness & wellbeing tips for 2021:

Move your body before starting work. Stretch, yoga, go for a walk, do a full workout. Doesn’t matter if the movement is big or small, but make it a habit to move your body before you engage your mind with work. You will have more mental creative energy if you start with movement.

Walk & talk whenever possible: work phone calls, one-on-one meetings, or even just during a short break in between meetings. Make this a habit & you will easily hit 10K+ steps. Do this for a few months and you’ll be in better physical & mental shape without a doubt.

At the end of the workday, write out a list of everything you still need to do the next day and the rest of the week. This way your mind can stop thinking about work and rejuvenate so it’s fresh for the next workday. This is especially key when working from home, to create a mental barrier between work and home life.

Celebrate progress. When you set a specific goal of an observable behavior, you can track your progress. Mark the days that you walk on a calendar or write them down in a journal. If you miss meeting your goal, that’s okay, don’t sabotage your progress with negative self-talk. Be patient with your process, and give yourself grace and a little pep talk. Think of a baby taking her first steps, when she stumbles, we don’t scold her, we encourage her to keep at it. When you do meet or exceed your self-care goals, celebrate and lean into your positive results to keep your momentum going. 

Be kind to you. Think about one area of your life that you have been neglecting. There are perhaps a few, but be kind and start with one to focus on for a few weeks. Research tells us that small changes can yield big benefits and more lasting results. 

Once you have identified the area of self-care that you will focus on, next think about an activity that brings you joy. For example, if being more active is an area of self-care that you want to focus on, but exercising inside has not worked for you in the past, and you know that you love being active while outdoors, then choose an activity that brings you outdoors.

And remember, small changes yield lasting results; you don’t have to initiate a rigorous training program like running a half marathon to realize benefits. An enjoyable walk at lunch can help improve your focus as well as your blood sugar levels and leave you feeling better at the end of the day so you sleep well at night. If you make this a regular workday practice before you know it you’ll be feeling better and more fit than you ever have before. Tiny habits and consistency can truly change your life in profound ways.

Curated by garten’s Justin David Carl (Dragon)

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Becoming physically active is a great way to gain stress management skills and promote overall well being. Pair your activities with goals or challenges and you’ll be excelling in no time. Remember folks, consistency is key here so ease into it. Some great activities to try that are free and easy to start include walking, running, cycling, and yoga. 

2. CONNECT

Healthy relationships promote a healthy well being. Right now it might be hard to get out to the local meetup without concern for the safety of yourself and others. Most of us are lucky enough to have access to the internet which is jam packed with digital platforms for connecting. One of the most popular recently has been the Quarantine Karaoke page on Facebook which is a live stream feed of quarioke.

3. LEARN

Taking the time to learn something new promotes self growth, aids in self confidence, and may even lead to activating new neural-pathways in the brain, especially if it’s been a while since you have taken the time to add a new practice to your routine. One great way to start on a new learning path is by auditing your schedule first to clear cut free time and devise a master plan for practice time and execution. 

4. GIVE

“Giving has been proven to decrease blood pressure and reduce stress. This reduction promotes longer life and better health. Giving promotes social connection. Studies show that when you give to others, your generosity is often continued down the line to someone else, or returned to you.” Research shows that those who volunteer live longer and have happier lives. Charitable giving delivers a host of benefits to the body and brain. Regardless of whether you give your time, money, or energy. 

5. BE MINDFUL

Maintaining attention to the present moment can improve your mental well being and play a big role in stress management by reducing thoughts outside of the present moment and the tasks at hand. There have been countless studies on the benefits of a mindfulness practice and it’s standard practice for most high performing individuals. One of the immediate benefits is a deep sense of calm, and the ability to schedule and execute tasks with a deeper attention to detail.

Written by Brendan Terranova

The post 5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing & Stress Management appeared first on garten.

Whether it’s seasonal gift-giving, a ‘thanks for taking a meeting with me’, or ‘you’re a valued part of my team’, it’s never too late to let someone know you appreciate them and their partnership. Here are 5 ideas to celebrate teammates, business partners, and colleagues with gifts they actually love.

Tell them why you’re grateful – Saying ‘thank you’ doesn’t need to be expensive. Sometimes a handwritten card or a meaningful message of gratitude makes more of an impact. You can write your message on a digital card using a template from PaperlessPost and or have it printed and mailed to your coworker via Postable. Also, consider doing it yourself: these days, when everything is digital, a personalized handwritten from you card can go a long way. 

Food is love – Especially when it’s healthy and shareable with the whole family. Snacks help fuel your recipient—and maybe even their kids or roommates—through days filled with Zoom calls. We offer snack boxes in three sizes containing the most unique curation of snacks, with an emphasis towards higher quality better-for-you items. If your client is more into coffee, we also offer a coffee experience box pairing premium, fair trade coffee with delectable snacks. 

Let your recipient choose – You have a budget in mind, and want your employees to receive a high quality gift—or experience—that they actually want, and will use. With Snappy, you enter the date and email address, your recipient selects their own gift. Snappy even lets you schedule gifts to be e-sent on anniversaries, holidays, and birthdays. 

Warm their heart – And help the less fortunate. Make a donation to a charitable organization on behalf of your colleague or corporate partner. Global Giving offers Thank You cards that get sent to your colleague so they can research the organization you chose. Global Giving even lets you donate without designating the charity, so your colleague can decide on the worthy cause. 

Tried and true – These days, most of us can satisfy the basics with a few clicks or swipes, so if you’re still stuck for an idea, give them something you know they’ll use: a gift card. Whether it’s Amazon, DoorDash, or Instacart, a gift card is always a safe bet—and particularly during these times where people are trying to stay home more to protect themselves and stay healthy. 

Written by Toffler Niemuth

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