Nudging - a nudge in the right direction

Our bodies are designed to move. Unfortunately, it usually doesn't get enough of it - especially if you work in a sedentary job such as an office. In the long term, this leads to problems such as muscle and joint pain, tension, headaches and reduced energy levels. Combined with an unhealthy lifestyle, this often results in pounds creeping on.

The healthy choice should be the easy choice

Many find it difficult to do anything about it before the damage is done. Despite a guilty conscience, not much happens. Nudging can help give a nudge in the right direction. Nudging is a newer concept that refers to methods that often unconsciously help consumers to choose a healthier path. Nudging is based on human psychology and habits. One point of nudging is that the healthy choice should also be the easy choice. It is obvious to use nudging methods in the workplace to help employees to move a little more. Often, small stretches and movements can make a positive difference for employees, helping them to concentrate and relieve pain.

Food and drink visibility in the office

We know that the visibility of food and drink influences how much we eat and drink. One way to nudge is to place filled, transparent water jugs on tables where as many people as possible can see them. The visibility of the water will make employees drink more, which is good, because most people don't usually get enough fluids during the day. In addition, people get up from their office chair without thinking about it. The same can be done with fruit and vegetables.

Posters in break rooms

Another way to loosen up your body is to stretch during the day. To encourage people to stretch, you could put up colorful posters showing some stretching exercises. However, for most people, this will feel unnatural in an open-plan office. Therefore, it makes sense to hang these posters where it is more realistic for employees to do it. For example, in the bathroom, the printer room or the tea kitchen.

Choose the stairs over the elevator

Taking the elevator is a bad habit for many people. If people instead started to always take the stairs at work, they would get a lot more movement into their working day. For example, by sticking large green arrows on the floor showing the way to the stairs, you can nudge people to take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Small measures like these can give a nudge towards a healthier everyday life at work.

By Josefine Huusom