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. 

—

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.

Help with their education

Many employers choose to help their workers fund their higher learning experience if it applies to their job, or if it could help them secure a promotion. You might offer tuition assistance, or match a certain amount. With a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, your employees can learn accounting and auditing skills that will help your business run efficiently, and there are several programs available online that will ensure they can keep working while earning their degree from the comfort of their own homes. Talk to your employees to find out what their goals are, whether they would be interested in pursuing a degree if they have assistance, and how you can make this move mutually beneficial.

Focus on health

While helping your employees reach their goals is important, it’s also a good idea to give them the tools to boost their wellness at work. Sometimes it’s the small things that make a big impact, such as offering water, coffee, tea, and productivity-boosting snacks. You can also go a little bigger and create a wellness initiative that will help everyone make movement a priority, especially if they sit at a desk most of the day. You could even provide standing desks, yoga classes, or health videos that can be accessed anytime. garten offers these through their own channel. Not only does focusing on the health of your employees help them take action for their own benefit, it shows them that you’re invested in their wellbeing.

Keep their mental health in mind

Physical health is important, but it’s crucial not to underestimate how big an impact a person’s mental health has on their ability to do their job efficiently. It’s extremely challenging to focus on work when there are family problems going on at home, or when financial troubles are causing stress. The best way to assist your workers with their mental wellbeing is two-pronged: offer things like paid time off, child care assistance, counseling services, and remote work opportunities; and follow up with them in a private meeting. Let them know that you care about what they’re going through, and remind them that they are part of a team that will support them with you.

Recognize hard work

Your employees work hard for you everyday, and while offering perks is a great incentive, it’s also important for you to recognize specific achievements. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to make someone feel great about a success; you might work shout-outs into your team calls, or take them out to lunch. If you do want to go bigger, you can put together prizes or trophies to hand out at company-wide events, or surprise your team with a party. Recognizing your employees for all the good they do is a great way to boost team morale and keep them on track.

 Finding new ways to offer creative benefits to your workers doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Remember that sometimes, it’s about the small things. Keeping communication open with your team will help you learn more about their needs as you move forward.

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Our new Snack-from-Home Vitality Box is curated with various items and snacks that help enhance energy and boost immunity, including protein-rich snacks, herbal tea, roll-on essential oils, and hand sanitizer.

Depending on your location, your Vitality Box can include:

Aura Cacia Hand Sanitizer – Tea Tree Citrus: Hand Sanitizers are an ideal choice for the moments you don’t have access to soap and water. Formulated in compliance with FDA standards and CDC recommendations, Aura Cacia Hand Sanitizers effectively kill 99.9% of common germs and do not contain methanol. Each hand sanitizer is made with 80% alcohol content to effectively disinfect hands, and glycerin to help prevent drying out skin.

Yogi Cold Season Tea: Yogi Cold Season tea is a soothing herbal tea blend that’s perfect for sipping during Cold Season. This delicious tea is purposefully blended with Ginger, Cardamom, Cinnamon, and Clove, known in Ayurveda as warming herbs. Licorice and Eucalyptus – herbs traditionally used to support respiratory function – combine with citrusy Orange Peel, invigorating Peppermint, and herbaceous Tulsi.

Aura Cacia Chill-Pill Essential Oil Roll-On: With a simple, roll-on application, these blends of essential oils and apricot kernel oil are perfect for safely applying to the skin for a variety of benefits—without leaving behind an oily feel. To inspire balance and calm, apply to temples, wrists and inner elbows.

Earth Therapeutics Anti-Stress Sinus Pillow: Filled with flax seed and a special stress-relieving aroma-therapeutic blend of herbal essences, this SINUS PILLOW is designed to calm and comfort both the body and the mind. Ergonomically designed with an adjustable head strap, the Anti-Stress Sinus Pillow enfolds you in its comforting embrace to relax and soothe. The balmy mind-calming blend of chamomile, lavender, and citrus completes and enhances these physical benefits by offering a totally relaxing, sensory experience. Use it Warm over the forehead to soothe and relieve sinuses and tension headaches, or use it Cool to soothe tired, strained, puffy eyes.

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This box is curated with various items and snacks that help to de-stress and calm the mind, including a variety of gluten-free snacks, herbal tea, roll-on essential oils, hand sanitizer, and a gift card for 2 Months Free of Welnys TV.

Depending on your location, your Zen Box can include:

Earth Therapeutics Anti-Stress Sinus Pillow: Filled with flax seed and a special stress-relieving aroma-therapeutic blend of herbal essences, this SINUS PILLOW is designed to calm and comfort both the body and the mind. Ergonomically designed with an adjustable head strap, the Anti-Stress Sinus Pillow enfolds you in its comforting embrace to relax and soothe. The balmy mind-calming blend of chamomile, lavender, and citrus completes and enhances these physical benefits by offering a totally relaxing, sensory experience. Use it Warm over the forehead to soothe and relieve sinuses and tension headaches, or use it Cool to soothe tired, strained, puffy eyes.

Aura Cacia Chill-Pill Essential Oil Roll-On: With a simple, roll-on application, these blends of essential oils and apricot kernel oil are perfect for safely applying to the skin for a variety of benefits—without leaving behind an oily feel. To inspire balance and calm, apply to temples, wrists and inner elbows.

Aura Cacia Hand Sanitizer – Unscented: Hand Sanitizers are an ideal choice for the moments you don’t have access to soap and water. Formulated in compliance with FDA standards and CDC recommendations, Aura Cacia Hand Sanitizers effectively kill 99.9% of common germs and do not contain methanol. Each hand sanitizer is made with 80% alcohol content to effectively disinfect hands, and glycerin to help prevent drying out skin.

Aura Cacia Mellow Mix: Featuring lavender and sandalwood essential oils, is expertly blended to inspire a sense of peace and calm. Wind down from a tough day by using this effective combination of oils in a diffusion, room spray or massage oil.

Tazo Chamomile Tea: A sip of blooming chamomile tea to help you unwind at the end of the day. This herbal tea blend is carefully presented in 20 individually wrapped tea bags that preserve its properties as a soothing, relaxing, and calming tea, making it ideal as a sleep tea.

2 Months Free of Welnys TV Virtual Programming: Wellness From Anywhere. Online classes taught by real people, for real people. Stream everything from meditation to Tai Chi on your phone or laptop.

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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

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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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With an increasing hybrid of workplace locations, it is important to maintain company culture and organizational values across the diversity of your organization. Here are 3 ways to foster a great employee experience:

Creating Culture through Communication 

Humans are tribal and the crisis has separated us indefinitely. Whether coming back to a centralized workplace, or leading a remote team or a hybrid team, dynamics have been forever changed.

To get everyone comfortable with the new format, help your team by creating space for authentic connections and truthful conversations. Highlight opportunities designed for these interactions, schedule time on the calendar to facilitate wellness education and openly encourage communication and camaraderie. 

Food is Culture

Food programs at work need to evolve now more than ever so we are less susceptible to sickness. Companies lose millions in productivity costs, health care premiums and absenteeism, which are often due to a bad diet. Food is also an opportunity for connection and bringing people together. However, team members may be uncomfortable prepping meals in a community kitchen with shared kitchen appliances. Many companies supported by wellbeing programs are moving to our contactless smart fridge, garten Market. It’s the most budget-friendly and safest alternative to traditional office food services. Plus, the selection meets our guidelines for healthy and fresh food, that’s readily available. 

Eating for Performance

Eating nutrient-dense foods is now more important than ever. Healthy food supports energy and focus–to get through those Zoom marathons–and keeps the immune system strong to fight seasonal flu and other viruses. Fresh fruits, veggies, and protein that are rich in Vitamins A, C, E, and zinc will keep the immune system working efficiently and effectively. Limiting sugar intake helps avoid bouncing blood sugar which can cause crashes in energy and productivity. Drinking adequate amounts of water also helps keep the neurons firing to maintain good focus. 

For your WFH teams, our better-for-you snack boxes consist of higher quality food products, responsibly sourced to protect the health of people and the planet. Our snack standards include all natural, non-GMO, organic, sustainable, and WELL certified, so you can keep your team fueled the right way.

By Bryan Grobstein and Toffler Niemuth

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Regardless of how much you are able to offer to your employees, the reality is that this type of perk provides more benefits to you, the employer, than you may think. But, we’re not talking just about any type of snacks and drinks. We’re talking about the nutritious kind. Read on to learn why you should consider healthy snacks as the ultimate employee benefit. 

1. Attract and Retain the Best Talent

Companies that invest in their employee’s well-being are more attractive to today’s top talent. According to a survey conducted by Glassdoor, 57% of respondents said they take perks and benefits offered into consideration before accepting a job offer. Glassdoor also reported wellness programs, inclusive of healthy snacks, as one of five job benefits that attract top talent.  

The job market is so competitive right now. The only way to differentiate your company from the pack is by offering the best benefits and perks you can afford. Seriously. Realize that you’re not just offering healthy office snacks and drinks. You’re sending the message to prospective and current employees that you care about their well-being and value their contribution to the success of your business.

2. Increased Productivity

This should be the most compelling reason to consider switching to healthy snacks for your company. Think about this: When people are busy and on-the-go, they tend to reach for whatever is easy and available. 

A study published in the British Journal of Health Psychology demonstrated that healthy eating throughout the day isn’t just good for the body, it is also good for the mind. The more healthful foods people consumed during the day – the happier, more engaged, and more creative they were.

3. Foster a Sense of Community

Where there’s food, people will follow. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the office kitchen is typically the place where most people will gather and mingle. Post-COVID, the water cooler chats look a bit different on Zoom, but regardless of how you engage with your team—offering healthy snacks in a kitchen or by delivery can motivate, inspire, and help increase productivity by the sense of community that is formed by eating the snacks together. According to Gallup, people who incorporated social interactions at the office (or on Zoom) felt more supported and had higher job satisfaction. 

4. Tax Benefits

You may think that your company is not yet at the point of offering perks like free snacks and drinks. Think again. Earlier this year, the IRS ruled that, when offered on a consistent basis at work, healthy office snacks are tax-deductible. While full business meals are no longer fully deductible, you can still deduct 50% of the cost from now until 2025. 

There are a number of changes relating to business meals and entertainment, so be sure to consult the IRS for any questions you may have about the recent amendment.  

Why the Healthy Alternative

Eating the right foods can play a central role in combating chronic health issues like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. And we know for a fact that not all snacks are created equal. Our Founder & CEO, Michael Heinrich, realized that the office snacks offered by his past employers were making him feel sluggish in the afternoon. There was plenty of research that explained why.

In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a study of employees across the U.S. and found that the foods they were getting at work contained high amounts of salt, sugar and empty calories. A study out of Brigham Young University  found that “employees with unhealthy diets were 66 percent more likely to report having a loss in productivity.” 

Unhealthy habits are expensive—not only for individuals and society in general but also for employers. Over the past ten years, chronic diseases have increased by 25 percent in working-age adults, and the CDC estimates that productivity losses due to missed work cost employers $225.8 billion (yes, with a B), or $1,685 per employee, annually. 

This information and remembering what his grandmother—a medical doctor—taught him: “what you put in your body impacts your health,” led Michael to create garten, formerly Oh My Green.

garten is on a mission to transform the office into a destination for healthier living. If you’re not a garten customer, get on board now and make the upgrade!

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We at garten want to equip you with some simple ways to support the development of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that supports mood regulation, memory, and healthy digestion. 90% of serotonin is produced in our intestines. With the seasons changing in an-everything-but-normal year, it’s likely we could use a little boost in things that make us feel good.

Here are 5 tips to boost your serotonin levels:

1. Exercise daily – outside is even better! We all know we should move more as part of our health. If you don’t have a regular exercise routine, start by taking a 30-minute walk daily. One trick that works is building rules like no coffee before your workout is done. Give it a try and see how you feel! 
   
2. Stay hydrated to support gut health. Drinking enough water is challenging when you’re in back to back zoom calls and juggling life, but just like plants need water to survive, we need water to function properly. Ideally, we should be drinking half of our body weight in ounces daily. If that’s too much, start by making sure you’re finishing one bottle a day, then move to two, and keep building up to your goal. 
   
3. Eat serotonin rich foods such as salmon, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and bananas. A diet rich in L-tryptophan is especially beneficial. Foods rich in nutrients such as magnesium, zinc, folic acid, fish oils, vitamins C and B6 help us use serotonin more effectively. 
   
4. Try a meditation practice. At garten, we take 20 minutes daily for a Purposeful Pause. Many of our teammates use this time to meditate and it helps keep us focused and productive. It’s also a great way to reduce stress and keep your serotonin levels up.
   
5. Take time to play. As adults, we often think we don’t have time to play or that it’s simply unproductive and useless. However, more and more research is coming out that proves play is vital to problem-solving, creativity, and relationship building. This week, take time to do something that brings you joy.

Our fall snack rotation includes snacks with ingredients that help support a good mood. Be on the lookout for those snacks and work to incorporate them into your regular diet. 

While you’re building your meal plan, add this recipe to your rotation. Snap a picture of your plated dish, tag us on social media, and use #gutgarten for a chance to win a free snack box!

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