When we think of health crises in America, news headlines of obesity, cancer, and heart disease pop up because of our poor nutrition choices. One of the most neglected health issues we face as a nation is the overreliance we place on stimulants and amphetamines to get us going. It may be because of poor nutrition, too much work to do, or a lack of sleep, but companies who make beverages, shots, and pills that keep us awake are booming right now.
An article in the New York Observer highlights the illicit measures some people are going to just to keep up with the massive workloads they face on a daily basis. Computer programmers and other highly technical workers across the country are gasping at the threat of a shortage of the ADD and hyperactivity drug Adderall.
Coffee and other caffeinated beverages are the norm when it comes to beverages in the morning. For lunch, people usually knock back a high-fructose corn syrup soda, and then chug a Red Bull or Monster for the afternoon snack. Not only do these beverages contain useless calories, they force you to keep drinking in order to avoid crashing.
While the average person may consume normal amounts and remain healthy, pharmacist James Kalus of Ford Hospital in Detroit says that those with high blood pressure and other heart problems could face a heart attack if not careful. Encouraging the consumption of water more frequently will naturally keep your employees hydrated instead of crashing all day long and facing possible health risks.
The leading tech companies like Facebook, Google, and Apple all require their employees to make certain sacrifices to their free time in order to complete the revolutionary visions of their business plans. In order to help employees manage their lives, these companies offer extensive services such as laundry, childcare, and most importantly extensive food options to choose from throughout the day.
Google doesn’t just have a cafeteria featuring foods from around the world to maintain their reputation services. They realize that a key part in keeping workers focused and energized throughout the day is proper nutrition. Your company may not be able to afford the large service of Google, but it should be able to afford other nutritious options and snacks scattered around the office.
A major reason why many employees struggle to stay awake at work is because of a lack proper exercise. According to a report by CNN, 7 out of 10 Americans claim that they do not exercise at all. In order to keep your workers functioning, try to encourage time away from the desk, walks around the block, and even group memberships to the local health club. Not only will exercise help to raise energy levels, it will allow for organic team building by allowing co-workers to exercise together.
Employees can become lazy and lose a lot of momentum due to the incompetence of management. When I worked at a restaurant, I would hear the same thing coming out of the mouths of three different managers every time I went in for a shift. Repetition can be seen as an insult to intelligence which causes a sense of apathy amongst employees. In order to get the most out of your staff, let them work on their own and give them a sense of purpose instead of micro-managing.
The secret to energy doesn’t lie in the bottom of an aluminum can or at the pharmacist. Try taking some natural steps in order to get your office flowing at a pace that is more conducive to productivity.