Spring cleaning in the workplace

It's finally spring! We all need to get outdoors more often, to soak up that vitamin D and enjoy our short spring season.

We seem to have rituals that are common this time of year, perhaps around the time change, the first day of spring, or at the first sight of robins. Daylight savings time did affect many people, as we are already tired from our long winter, lack of sunshine, hard work, and cold weather. But every spring, it seems like people brighten up, get more energy, and start doing more outdoor activities.

Many people choose to do some spring cleaning, de-cluttering their homes, cars, and work spaces in order to start fresh and get rid of the remnants of winter. I think we should create a ritual of conducting a workplace physical marked by the first day of spring.

North Americans have yearly rituals regarding health care, such as getting a physical once a year, having a dental check up once a year or more, and having some type of eye exam every two years. So why not add a workplace health ritual to that list?

A workplace health checklist would help with the process, so here are my thoughts. Does your workplace allow for natural light somewhere or encourage workers to get outside, even if for only a few minutes? We are what we eat - does your workplace offer a safe and sanitary place to eat during breaks? Is there a fridge to keep cold items, so our food stays fresh? If the workplace offers food and drink items, are there healthy choices? And is your workplace a positive social environment? We all know the negative effects on our health when we are under too much stress, and having a supportive workplace will help to combat this stress. Finally, is your workplace physically and environmentally sound? Are the chairs ergonomically correct, are work vehicles kept up to the safest standards, and is noise kept to an acceptable level?

No workplace is perfect, but we should ensure we are doing what we can to keep it healthy. If we sit down with our co-workers and bosses, and create a workplace physical checklist that can be done at this time of year, we can breathe a little easier knowing we are doing everything we can to be healthy and to remain healthy in all areas of our lives.