Topic: Healthy Office

Meetings, deadlines and high-pressure projects can all pile on to create serious workplace stress. Though stress may seem like a normal part of daily life, it doesn't have to be. With some simple changes and tricks, you can help reduce your workplace stress and have a happier, healthier and more productive workday.

Some things just seem to creep up earlier and earlier each year, from the start of the holiday shopping season to the appearance of spring plants at grocery stores in the depths of winter. One such thing that made a very early return to coffee shops this year was the pumpkin spice latte. A steaming PSL may hit the spot on an autumn morning—warming hands and heart with a burst of nostalgia—but it’s packed full of sugar and artificial flavors. We’ve picked out a few of our favorite fall flavors so that you can enjoy the season—and even indulge a bit—organically.

There are plenty of meal-planning resources out there to help busy families make the most of the week's groceries and limited cooking time. Planning meals and even prepping lunches for the week can help limit food waste and remove guesswork from already hectic schedules. But sometimes (or most of the time for many of us) tomorrow is as far ahead as we can think. Minimize the stress of packing a lunch for kids and for yourself (and don't fall into the just another PB&J trap) by making sure you always have these pantry staples on hand so you can make simple, single prep meals that will keep you and kids happy.

Though it looks like the heat wave may be breaking, there is still plenty of summertime left. Keep yourself cool and refreshed throughout the season, whether or not your office is air-conditioned to your taste. Read our top four favorite ways to embrace summertime heat, take a mini-vacation at your desk and make the most of the season in the office.

When many of us work at desks during the day, it’s easy for our muscles to get tight. It's important to take a break to get the blood flowing and work out those accumulated kinks. There are plenty of awesome stretches you can do in the office, many right at your desk! Below are some of our favorites. (But if any of these stretches don’t feel right, stop! Part of maintaining health and wellness is listening to your body.)

Bike commuting is on the rise, with small convoys of cyclists spinning down Boston’s Southwest Corridor Park, along the Esplanade and across the Mass Ave Bridge. Commuters cycle for many reasons: to maintain their health, to save money on gas or public transit, and to limit their environmental impact.

In addition to these benefits to employees, creating an office culture that celebrates cycling creates benefits for employers. Exercise has been shown to increase productivity, and improving employee health through regular activity can mean better attendance. Promoting bike commuting also demonstrates your commitment to the community and environment by helping keep polluting cars off the road and encouraging employee well-being. Check out the steps below to create a bike-friendly workplace.

When you joined the Boston Organics Community, you took a big step towards improving the way you eat. If you weren’t used to cooking on a regular basis, it may have required a little extra work. At the same time, you’re probably also running to the supermarket a lot less frequently.

The biggest change, however, is one you may not even realize. By filling your home with fresh, organic food, you and your family are eating healthier and making better food decisions every day.

When you surround yourself with healthy food, you’re going to eat healthy food. It may seem obvious, but these kinds of simple insights are often lacking in today’s modern diet fads.

Slim By Design is different.

In April, we're offering Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce members 20% off their first organic fruit delivery to their office!

As the Boston area skyline grows with new businesses, companies are exploring ways to keep their employees happy, healthy, and productive. Employees themselves are searching for the same thing, and they're looking to their employers to provide company sponsored wellness programs.

Wellness programs can offer a wide range of healthy lifestyle opportunities for employees, such as discounted gym memberships, fruit deliveries, and even paid time off for health checkups.

Late last year, Massachusetts recognized the opportunity to incentivize local companies into offering official wellness programs with a state tax credit. Here's a brief overview of the tax benefits below.

Tax Credit:

• Equal to 25% of the implementation costs of a “certified wellness program”
• Maximum credit $10,000 in any fiscal tax year

Regulations:

Companies applying for the credit must have wellness programs that meet the Department of Public Health's criteria. Below are some of the criteria:

• Credits are only available to employers with 500 or fewer employees
• Programs must promote physical and mental health, fitness, and behavior change measures
• Businesses must apply for certification with DPH and meet their eligibility requirements (application below)

How Do I Start A Wellness Program?

There are several things you can do as an employer to kick-start a wellness program. Making healthy snacks available is a simple way to start your corporate wellness initiatives, and now with the Massachusetts tax credit, you can get something back for putting your company's health ahead.

We've been delivering office fruit boxes to health-minded businesses in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and surrounding towns for several years now. By making fresh organic fruit available to our own employees, we feel that we're helping to promote a healthier, happier workplace.

Here's an online guide to help you get started with a wellness program, and you can take your first step towards a healthier workplace by signing up for a Boston Organics Office Box.

Already have a corporate wellness program? You can apply for the Massachusetts State Wellness Program Tax Credit here!