National Employee Health and Fitness Day 2023: National Employee Health and Fitness Day is observed in the United States on the third Wednesday of May. This year’s date is May 17. It was created to increase employee understanding of the health benefits of physical activity through company-sponsored health promotion activities. This day is ideal for reminding employees of the necessity and benefits of regular physical activity. Therefore, lace up your running shoes as we trek to National Employee Health and Fitness Day.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY
The desire to endure through hunting and gathering drove prehistoric man’s quest for physical fitness. The value of fitness has not diminished despite the fact that it is no longer motivated by a need for sustenance.
Dr. Ken H. Cooper, labelled “The Father of the Modern Fitness Movement,” is widely regarded as the person who has inspired more people to engage in physical activity than anyone else in history. Cooper advocated a shift in emphasis from disease treatment to disease prevention as the central principle of public health. “It is easier to maintain good health through regular exercise, diet, and emotional equilibrium than to regain it,” he said.
Early in Cooper’s career, the significance of generating epidemiological evidence to support the health benefits of regular exercise was emphasised. The introduction of aerobics in 1968 sent a powerful message to the American public by emphasising the significance of regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight throughout life. The message, programmes, and ideas of Dr. Cooper paved the way for the modern fitness programme expansion.
When workplace health programmes were first implemented, many of them were primarily focused on quitting smoking and losing weight. Now, a greater emphasis is placed on employee participation and activities that extend beyond the physical aspects of wellness.
As a consequence of the shift in emphasis to collective well-being, employee satisfaction will increase, and new talent will be attracted and retained. Human resource professionals must also keep in mind that workplace health and wellness programmes are not one-size-fits-all.
According to the American Heart Association, workplace wellness programmes are an essential strategy for preventing cardiovascular disease and stroke risk factors such as smoking, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, physical inactivity, and diabetes.
NATIONAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY ACTIVITIES
Encourage employees to work out in pairs.
Encourage your employees to join up with a partner or coworker in an exercise programme. Also. encourage others to participate, including the CEO. You can motivate employees outside of an exercise programme by walking with them or leading them up flights of stairs instead of taking the lift.
Engage your employees
Employers can offer wellness programmes and incentives to their employees. These programmes should be entertaining so that participants will be more inclined to exercise and take better care of their health.
Support a nutritious breakfast or brunch
You can sponsor a nutritious breakfast or lunch for your employees as an employer. All employees will appreciate this initiative, which will encourage them to make healthier food choices.
National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day 2023: Date, History and Facts
Five FACTS REGARDING REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Physical activity improves sleep quality
Regular physical activity encourages sound sleep.
Physical activity produces a pleasant emotion.
It enables our body to release chemicals known as endorphins or “feel-good” hormones, which improve our mood and make us feel more confident and relaxed.
Physical activity increases your endurance.
Regular exercise can help you develop muscle and increase your stamina, while also enhancing your cardiovascular system and the oxygen and nutrient delivery to your tissues.
It improves cognitive function and memory.
It enhances cognitive function.
Physical activity prevents health issues and illness
Numerous health issues, including stroke, high blood pressure, type two diabetes, depression and anxiety disorders, certain types of cancer, and arthritis, can be prevented or managed with regular exercise.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY
It affords us a much-needed respite
Physical activity provides a break from the tension and monotony of daily tasks and responsibilities. It provides them with vitality, enhances their cognitive abilities, and prevents fatigue.
It encourages a healthy way of existence
National Employee Health and Fitness Day promotes a healthful lifestyle for all employees. In addition to physical activity, emphasis is focused on wellness.
It contributes to employee retention
Employees gain multiple benefits from an exercise programme. These enhance their health, self-perception, self-esteem, physical fitness, and stamina, and increase their job satisfaction. These allow them to better regulate their weight and blood pressure.
NATIONAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | May 18 | Wednesday |
| 2023 | May 17 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | May 15 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | May 14 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | May 20 | Wednesday |
