Energy at work: Essential tips for employees and managers

Getting energy from your work every day, instead of feeling drained. It sounds ideal, but for many employees and managers, it often feels like a distant dream. However, it is possible—and essential—to stimulate energy at work. Because healthy people mean healthy businesses. Or, as we say at Lifeguard: “Healthy people, healthy business.” In this article, we provide practical tips for both employees and managers on how to make energy at work tangible and sustainably boost it.

We all have those days: you finish up feeling drained and ask yourself, “What did I actually spend my energy on?” This is often not just simple fatigue. Research shows that nearly 17% of Dutch employees experience burnout symptoms. So, energy at work is not something to take lightly. The good news is that energy is something you can create, feel, and measure. It’s time to do something about it!

Take conscious breaks: microbreaks as an energy boost
A simple yet highly effective tip for maintaining energy at work is to regularly take small breaks that align with your recovery needs. Feeling mentally overwhelmed? Look out the window for a moment or close your eyes briefly. Need social interaction? Chat with a colleague. With small, targeted recovery moments, you prevent your energy from slowly depleting throughout the day.

Movement as an energy source
The human body is not designed to sit for eight hours a day. Stand up regularly, take a short walk, and do simple exercises. A quick walk outside during lunch provides better circulation and more oxygen to your brain, making you sharper and more energized.

Healthy eating and drinking
What you eat and drink significantly influences how you feel. Choose healthy snacks like fruit and nuts, and avoid sugary snacks that provide a quick energy spike followed by a crash. Also, ensure you’re drinking enough water, as dehydration reduces your ability to concentrate.

Match your tasks with your energy level
Use your energy wisely by planning tasks according to your energy rhythm. Tackle the most difficult tasks when you’re most energetic, and save simpler work for your energy dips. This will help you feel more productive and gain greater satisfaction from your work.

Create your ideal work environment
Everyone has their ideal workspace. Are you sensitive to stimuli? Find a quiet space. Do you gain energy from a dynamic environment? Choose a lively spot. By consciously arranging your environment, you actively boost your energy level.

For managers, a key responsibility is to facilitate and stimulate energy within their teams. Lifeguard helps managers understand that energy at work is not an optional part of the job, but a strategic pillar. We refer to this as “Energy as a Strategy,” where the focus is on active energy rather than the passive concept of vitality.

1. Autonomy
   Give employees enough freedom to decide how they approach their work. Autonomy fosters ownership, making employees feel more energized and proactive.
2. Connection
   Strengthen social bonds within the team. Social interaction not only makes the workplace more enjoyable but also boosts energy as employees feel engaged and valued.
3. Development opportunities
   Ongoing learning and development are crucial for maintaining energy. Ensure employees have opportunities to acquire new skills, which contributes to both their personal growth and motivation.
4. Purpose
   Clarify how employees’ work contributes to the bigger picture. Understanding that their work is meaningful and impactful gives employees energy and boosts their commitment.
5. Recovery opportunities
   Facilitate adequate recovery moments throughout the workday. For example, shorter meetings (such as 45 minutes instead of an hour) allow employees to have recovery time between meetings.

At Lifeguard, we assist companies like Zilveren Kruis in using energy as a strategic tool. Through energy management training and practical measures such as shortening meetings, both employees and managers gain control over their energy levels. This positively impacts employee well-being and demonstrably improves business results.

A crucial insight is that energy is contagious. When you’re energized, you inspire your colleagues. As a manager, you have a role model function in this. By actively managing your own energy, you make it clear that energy at work is not only desirable but also possible and necessary.

Finally, energy doesn’t stop at office hours. Healthy lifestyle choices such as getting enough sleep, eating well, and staying active determine your overall energy levels. Pay attention to your mental and emotional health as well. The better you manage your personal energy, the greater the positive impact on both your professional performance and your personal life.

In short, energy management is not a luxury but a strategic choice. Start applying these tips today and experience firsthand how energy boosts both your performance and well-being. Healthy people, healthy business: it’s time to make this a reality.