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As employers push for a return to the office, are pandemic-era wellness habits under threat? With the pandemic and the hybrid-work years that emerged from it, many Canadians found a renewed focus on personal fitness and well-being. However, with major employers now pushing for a four or five-day office week, many are concerned about maintaining their wellness routines.
Pandemic-era Wellness Habits
Without commutes or rigid office hours, people rediscovered movement, whether through morning runs, lunchtime yoga or midday walks. The concept of the home gym also blossomed, with sales of exercise equipment in Canada increasing 42.5 per cent in 2020. Wellness was no longer separate from work life – it had merged with it. However, the balance many Canadians worked so hard to achieve may now be at risk.
Return to Office (RTO) Push
This year marks a pivotal moment in the country’s return-to-office (RTO) journey. Major companies and organizations are mandating staff return to the office four or five days a week. Yet for many employees, this feels less like a positive shift, with three in five Canadians preferring to spend most of their time working from home. The tension is playing out across HR departments, boardrooms and recruiting offices nationwide.
Flexibility and Productivity
Research suggests that flexibility, not rigidity, has proven to be the real driver of productivity. Ultimately, much of this variability comes down to job control and how much autonomy individuals have over their schedules. Greater control reduces stress and can help people maintain healthier routines.
Finding Flexibility at the Office
Wellness habits aren’t necessarily at risk owing to RTO mandates, but they do need to be reimagined. Wellness expert Erin Clifford encourages finding “pockets of self care” in the busy day. Companies are also realizing that simply requiring presence isn’t enough – employees want to feel supported while they’re there. From gym memberships to wellness apps, they are investing in comprehensive wellness programs.
Stress and the Hidden Challenges of Office Returns
Nicole Porter, a stress coach and founder of Nicole Porter Wellness, identifies 10 lifestyle patterns that quietly undermine physical and mental health. Returning to the office isn’t just a location change; it can reactivate these “hidden stress” patterns. To reduce this strain, simple habits like hydration, good nutrition and mindful breathing should not be overlooked.
Creating a Culture of Wellness
Creating a culture of wellness is a mutual responsibility: Employees must prioritize healthy habits, while employers must foster environments where well-being is part of everyday work life. This could mean walking meetings, built-in breaks, movement-friendly spaces and realistic expectations around hours. The data is clear: organizations that prioritize wellness see lower absenteeism and better performance.
