Importance of Recreational Activities at Workplaces

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Do you know that happy employees stay in their jobs four times more than unhappy employees? Or happy employees are more likely to have 65% more energy than unhappy employees? These are the kind of facts which play a major role in determining the productivity and growth of any workplace yet these are mostly ignored and looked upon. 

What Is a Recreational Activity?


Recreation is anything that’s stimulating and reassuring to an individual. Some people enjoy nature hikes as a get-away while others might like ski, singing, yoga, long drives, swimming, and the like. The theory behind these activities is to expand the scope of body and mind positively and healthily.

Recreational activity is anything done for a break, for leisure, amusement, or simply for 'fun'. The need to do something for recreation is an essential constituent of human psychology. These activities when applied to a workplace have immense economic, health, and strategic benefits. 

Not Satisfied 

Employees are a company’s biggest asset; no matter how big a business is if the people working there are not happy then the business will cease to exist.

One of the main reasons for creating a recreational place is that stress and efficiency are inversely proportional. The amount of stress faced by an individual can directly affect the efficiency of the company and the individual is associated with. In the moment of utmost stress and angst, one tends to feel the burden of everything at once.

Nowadays, it is a back-breaking task for employees to maintain a work-life balance. Employees’ lives have been swaying between targets and deadlines. Employment is no longer just about a 9-5 or 10-7 job but involves the growth and development of both the employees and the employers.

An employee has to incessantly maintain a time-balance between her family, job, finances, and personal care. This, in the modern world, is becoming more and more challenging. As the pressure and stress increase, so does the need for release.

According to a recent survey by The Economic Times, “Only 20 percent of employees are satisfied with their jobs”. A major lift in the numbers can be made by the addition of some cheerful activities at the workplace.

As trivial they may sound, these can be a major fillip to employees’ spirits and satisfaction which further leads to better productivity, dedication, motivation, and retention. 

Types of Recreational Activities


When pressure and stress mount, so does the need for release. What better option than something fun and enjoyable to do. Few games, some light snack counters, a lounge with a calm and peaceful ambiance to relax, are some options which can easily help an employee to overturn the adverse effect of stress and anxiety.

Companies today have earmarked some sections of their offices to allow for their employees to relax. These recreational areas generally contain Television sets with modern gaming consoles, foosball tables, vending machines, carom boards, massage chairs, or simply some couches with mobile-chargers.

Many new generation start-ups have taken steps like allowing pets at the workplace, poker nights, and regular employee trips for cycling or trekking. This combination of work and play has many exploits for it provides for a new connection between the company and its human resources. 

Communication


Communication is key to everyone whether a CEO or a makeshift employee. The communication gap between different tiers of the company can result in a vicious web of discrepancies, errors, and chaos. To avoid such disarray and disorganization communication should be made more easy and accessible.

Recreational activities provide the perfect medium to communicate at different levels thereby improving the relationship between the staff. These activities work as ice breakers between many employers and the employees who would have remained ill-connected if not for games and activities.

The perceived gap between the newer employees and their seniors can take a toll on the work quality. These activities help the workforce to get more familiar and comfortable with the leaders and see them as their peers. This in turn promotes teamwork develops the workplace into a safe and friendly environment. 

Creating a Positive Company Culture


There are two types of marketing ‒ external and internal. The word about a positive company culture spreads like wildfire through grapevines and mass channels and not only is it beneficial for a company’s external brand recognition, but it is also imperative for maintaining a happy, vibrant and co-dependent workforce.

Companies with employee-focused benefits like recreational areas become the talk of the town – making it easier for aspirants to seek out these awesome employers and score a position in a positive, innovative work environment. 

Health Benefits


Fitness is fun as much as it is healthy and a good organization will make sure that their staffs get up once in a while from their chairs to get moving. It’s a perfect way to promote long-term health and well-being by allowing them to loosen up any stiff muscles, tendons, and ligaments and correct their postures as well.

Excessive sitting has several negative effects on the body. Forward neck lean and issues with the spine are the most dangerous of them all. A quick workout or even a slick stretch and jump around every hour have tremendous benefits for the overall health of the employees.

Companies that implement these practices know the importance of taking those breaks and getting the body moving and because of it, will see an increase in productivity and positivity at the workplace. 

Breaking Monotonous Life


Other than the aforementioned benefits, recreational activities are an excellent source of breaking the mundane and monotonous life of the workforce. Doing the same laborious work daily can be a reason of weariness among the employees.

Bringing excitement and variation into the staff through such activities level up their energy and provide them with a break to relax. This in turn helps in developing a positive vibe among the colleagues for better work output.

The entire team becomes familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses and develops a sense of communion. This knowledge comes into play while working and is helpful in the betterment of productivity. 

Conclusion


“There are clear neurological links between feelings, thoughts, and actions,” leadership advisor and author Annie Mckee wrote for Harvard Business Review.

“When we are in the grip of strong negative emotions, it’s like having blinders on. We don’t process information as well, think creatively, or make good decisions. Frustration, anger, and stress cause an important part of us to shut down – the thinking, engaged part”, he concluded.

A happy environment, happy and satisfied employee is all it takes to spur the growth of the company. All the qualities like dedication, motivation, and retention are the result of the inner satisfaction and contentment among the workforce. The success of a company lies in the success of every individual employee.

Written by - Rudransh Khurana

Edited by - Arnav Mehra