The Key to Building a Happy, Healthy Workplace

culled from:inc.com

Ever dreamed of bringing your dog to work? Good instinct: there's a scientifically proven reason why you should. Animals in the workplace are shown to alleviate stress, which ultimately makes your team (and your business) more productive.

Just ask Jennifer Adams, CEO of design firm Jennifer Adams Worldwide, who implemented a monthly "bring your pet to work" day for her employees. According to Adams, the policy offers an immediate stress relief. It "brings about a light-heartedness to everybody," she says.

Jeff Platt knows a thing or two about workplace stress. In addition to helping others eliminate stress, the CEO of the trampoline park chain and Inc. 5000 honoree, Los Angeles based Sky Zone, says allowing dogs at the office has done wonders for morale. It's even made a "significant difference in employees' productivity levels," he says. "People love being at work!" 

Hanging out with furry friends is just one of many ways that CEOs like Adams and Platt are integrating wellness with work. After all, why should attending to your mind and body only happen after hours? Besides the obvious benefits for employees, businesses also benefit from getting them pumped up and excited about work.

True engagement requires getting people's blood flowing, says Adams. "You have to get everybody up from their desks." In case you don't head up a giant trampoline park, here are just a handful of other ways to provide wellness at work:
Monthly In-Office Massages

At Konnect Public Relations, a Los Angeles based PR agency, CEO Sabina Gault offers a variety of complimentary services to employees: They get monthly, in-office massages, as well as two free spinning or yoga classes per week, discounted personal training, and even an in-office pool table. "Because we have very high standards for our work...we place a very high emphasis on wellness and take employee recommendations and feedback very seriously," Gault told Inc. "We believe that a positive, happy team is the key to great results." To that end: Konnect's office also includes a permanent nap room where employees can relax during lunch.