Part of building a healthy business means facing up to the impact today’s fast-paced work environment has on employee stress levels. (Spoiler – it’s huge.) High stress levels have significant implications, both for individual health and organisational performance.

For businesses, it’s often hard to understand where to start when it comes to tackling a topic as wide and far-reaching as stress. Luckily, research increasingly shows that small interventions and initiatives can have a really significant impact.

Just by incorporating movement, some basic wellbeing initiatives, and active travel strategies, you can dramatically reduce workplace stress whilst boosting productivity and employee satisfaction rates.

 

The science of stress and health impacts

Workplace stress isn’t just an emotional experience – it triggers a cascade of physiological responses. When employees experience chronic stress, their bodies produce elevated levels of cortisol, leading to:

  • Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Compromised immune function
  • Reduced cognitive performance
  • Higher rates of anxiety and depression
  • Decreased job satisfaction and productivity

 

Movement as medicine

Research published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology demonstrates that regular physical activity – even in really small amounts – can reduce workplace stress by up to 40%. Here’s a few easy-to-implement ideas about how companies can incorporate movement into the workday:

  • Installing some standing desks: studies show they can reduce upper back and neck pain by 54%
  • Structured micro-breaks: 5-minute movement sessions every hour.
    Our friend Neil, from the Movement Project, calls these ‘Movement Snacks’, and the important thing is that these don’t need to be full-on work outs. Anything where you are moving your body, stretching, or even doing small co-ordination exercises is good for cognitive function and focus.
  • Walking meetings: walking is a great way of generating ideas as well as facilitating conversations that might be harder face to face. Replacing seated meetings with walking ones wherever possible is a great way of building movement into your day.

 

Wellbeing initiatives that work

Creating time and space for people to engage in small actions that improve their wellbeing can have a positive impact on productivity. When employees are encouraged to take part in brief activities that recharge them – a short walk, mindful breathing, connecting with a colleague – their overall focus and engagement improve. These small interventions not only lead to a greater productivity but a healthier culture and positive working environment.

 

Social Connection Through Movement

  • Team sports: Forming a work team – be it football, netball or volleyball – is a great  way to meet new people, get moving and have fun together
  • Group fitness challenges: Training for an event like a sponsored Mud Run not only raises money for a good cause but brings the team together as you work towards a common goal.
  • Collaborative movement goals: Setting goals like how many miles can you walk each month as a team not only encourages regular activity but fosters a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie as you all work together to contribute to the overall success.

 

Active Travel

Research from the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that active commuting (by foot or by bike) can reduce stress levels and improve cardiovascular health. It also helps people build in time in their day when they are outside, which also has huge benefits.

1. Infrastructure support required

  • Secure bike storage
  • Shower facilities
  • Changing rooms

2. Incentives to offer

 

Return on Investment

Companies implementing comprehensive movement and wellness programs typically see:

  • 28% reduction in sick days
  • 20% increase in productivity
  • 30% decrease in healthcare costs
  • 65% improvement in employee retention*

The science is clear: movement, wellbeing, and active travel initiatives are not just “nice to have” – they’re essential investments in employee health and company performance. By implementing these evidence-based strategies, organisations can create a more resilient, engaged, and productive workforce while significantly reducing workplace stress.

Organisations that prioritise these initiatives don’t just see improvements in employee wellbeing; they create a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent in an increasingly health-conscious job market.

Communicating the integration of wellbeing practices into the workplace, as well as the importance you place on them as a business , is crucial to embedding wellbeing as a key part of your culture.

Back to insights