Building Movement Breaks into Organizational Culture

Movement breaks improve work performance

Despite messages that may keep us glued to our chairs, evidence suggests that movement benefits us at work. Researchers are finding that in addition to keeping our bodies healthy, movement breaks throughout the day have a positive impact on our work outcomes. Consider some of the ways that movement breaks boost our work performance:

Building in breaks boosts creativity at work

We’ve all experienced it. You think and think and think about a problem with few insights only to have the bright idea or creative solution come when you’re in the shower or doing something completely unrelated. Researchers have found that after periods of intense idea generation, creativity actually seems to rise when we take a break (Simon, 2019). They have found that moving to something that allows our brains to decompress—like taking a walk—may be just what’s needed for a creative boost. Clients rely on our creative problem-solving, and movement breaks as part of our daily rhythm allow creativity to flow.

Physical activity keeps positive vibes flowing, helping prevent burnout

Researchers have found that physical activity has a positive impact on workplace outlook and personal satisfaction. A University of Michigan study found that workers who engage in moderate to high physical activity felt less emotionally exhausted and experienced fewer burnout symptoms than workers who engaged in low physical activity (University of Michigan, 2024). As stress builds at work, movement in our routines helps buffer us from burnout. Building moderate exercise into our routine is great for our well-being as workers, as well as our physical health.

Physical activity improves brain functions responsible for mood, and happier moods lead to happier workplaces

Exercise produces brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) that bumps up nerve cell growth in the hippocampus, the part of our brain responsible for mood. Researchers have found that this process appears to improve our ability both to regulate and boost our emotions (Ghorai, 2024). As we incorporate movement into our daily routine, our mood improves. We show up in our work happier. Showing up happier helps us build positivity among our co-workers. This process is infectious; happy workers create happier workplaces and an organizational culture that cultivates positivity and improved output.

Movement breaks create camaraderie and build healthy relationships—even in remote work settings

It takes intention to cultivate a healthy, happy organizational culture where people love to work and pour their passions into great outcomes. Leaders must continually invest energy into building strong cross-organizational relationships. This is especially true in remote workplace organizations where employees don’t naturally bump into each other as part of everyday activities. Initiatives that encourage movement breaks can build connection while leveraging the mental health benefits that come from moving at points during the day. In in-person settings, consider building in a walk break or walk-and-talk meeting. In remote settings, build in time to check in and celebrate progress via your existing technology channels.

Our Spring Movement Initiative encourages movement breaks while building camaraderie

Now in its fourth year, the TriMetrix Cares Spring Movement Initiative puts these ideas into practice to intentionally encourage brain-boosting movement breaks and cross-company team building. Staff choose their own daily step goals and then log their steps from whatever movement activities are right for them (walking, running, yard work, etc.). To add to the fun, staff earn virtual badges as they meet goals, and we collectively celebrate each individual goal achieved, sharing photos and stories along the way. The individual staff goals are then combined into a collective group goal that we all strive to achieve together to earn a donation for a nonprofit.

Staff praise the initiative as a happy, healthy way to connect to one another and boost their mental health. Each year, more than half of our staff actively participate in the initiative. Collectively, we’ve traveled over 29,000 miles—more than the Earth’s circumference. Try a movement initiative in your organization and see how it impacts your team culture.

Join us on LinkedIn as we cheer on our colleagues’ progress as part of this year’s Spring Movement Initiative, and learn more about TriMetrix Cares and the ways we prioritize giving back in our communities.

Written by Kara Lehnhardt, MBA, Senior Advisor for Corporate Communication and Culture