Take a sex break

Pack your bags and move to Overtornea if you need more intimate time with your significant other, because a new development in Sweden might allow its workers to take a paid “sex break” during the working day.

As well as the usual lunch hour, employees are being given an hour for some quality, romantic time. The idea comes as Sweden attempts to improve low birth rates and  promote healthy relationships, which in turn should improve the workers’ motivation. Per-Erik Muskos, a city councillor in Sweden, said that “there are studies that show sex is healthy”, and that the motion is about “having better relationships”.

Having a ruff day?

Is there any better way to lift a mood than by spending time with your trusted canine? More and more firms are allowing their employees to bring their dogs to work, with 8% of workers in the UK permitted to bring their furry friends to the office. Not only does it save you the hassle of arranging a pet-sitter, the presence of a dog makes employees more sociable with each other, as people from different departments stop to say hello to the pups. What’s more, studies reveal that the scheme reduces employees’ stress levels, and as the dogs need to get their walk around the park, the owners get exercise as well.

Up high or down low

A lot of companies are adopting the sit-stand desk. Yes, that means that you can choose whether you want to work sitting down or standing up. The fact is that sitting for 8 hours a day is not good for us. Not only does the likelihood of obesity increase when sitting all day, it is not beneficial to our overall health and wellbeing. The new desk has also been found to increase productivity during the day and reduce overall back pain.

Thirst things first

What is the first thing you do when you get up from bed in the morning? Brush your teeth,  use the toilet, or maybe something else? An ancient Indian ritual says that, before we do any of those things, we should drink up to 1 litre of water first. The practice is called Ushapan and it has many health benefits, such as improving your immune system, helping you with weight-loss and aiding your digestion. It is said that if you make a routine out of it, your daily productivity at work will increase and you will feel more energetic overall.

Sweater weather

It takes a skilled planner to combine a job with going to the gym, but thankfully things are changing! “Swoon sweater” is an initiative taking place at the online furniture store Swoon Editions, where employees can enjoy a free weekly fitness session.

Exercises such as push-ups, squats, and cardio training form part of the workout, which is conveniently built into their office hours. This way, the employees mix outside of the workplace, and the exercise helps with the production of endorphins and serotonin, which assist in the regulation of metabolism, sleep, concentration and motivation.

Image: Mike McCune