Last year at this time I started posting cool things to do with your employees each month.  Some months got missed, but we’ll fill them in this year.  This year I’ll probably add some cool things to do for each month, and we’ll start by adding to my list from last April. Here goes:

Naturally, April 1st is April Fool’s day (history and lore), a day for jokes on folks. But it turns out the entire month of April is National Humor Month!  Keep up the humor!

Take Humor Seriously! 

You might want to take this seriously (tongue in cheek), because April 3 is “Don’t Go To Work Unless It’s Fun” day!  But really, studies at the University of California have shown that laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, boosts immune function, triggers the release of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers), and produces a general sense of well-being.  All good things that come with an atmosphere of fun.

Since 2004, the first Friday in April is National Walk to Work Day.  Granted, this is a huge impossibility for most of us, but it focuses on the fact that walking is very good for you! (Besides, there’s no charge for walking and it’s usually tax-free.)  

I’m a strong advocate of walking – it helped me lose a significant amount of weight a few years back without having to agitate my knees by running. A little known fact: The human body burns 62 calories per 100 pound of body weight per mile moved – whether you move by walking, jogging, or full-bore running (see Myth #10 about running).  Walking takes a bit longer, that’s all.

Think about posting some facts on walking (such as these walking facts from the Mayo Clinic), but here’s a more practical thought:  Invest in some pedometers. Have people set personal goals for how much they walk each day (better ‘by day’ than ‘by week’ as it keeps it at the forefront on our thinking).  If they meet or beat their goal a certain number of days each month, give them something special (movie passes are always good). 

Regular walking will give them more energy (which benefits both them and the workplace) and they’ll be healthier (saving health care costs and workplace accidents). 

And finally – we can’t forget the food this month:

 April 6:   National Caramel Popcorn Day
 April 9:   Chinese Almond Cookie Day
 April 17:  National Cheeseball Day
 April 20:  National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day
 April 24:  Pigs in a Blanket Day
 April 25:  National Zucchini Bread Day
 April 26: National Pretzel Day

With the weather finally starting to warm up, you can have a lot of fun with these.

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Filed in Work, Motivation, Workplace, Corporate Culture, Retention