Relax: A Guidepost to Health - Marriott on the Move

A few months ago, I blogged about a letter my dad wrote me when I became president in 1964. ?I was only 31 at the time.? Included with the letter was his list of guideposts to being a good manager and leader.? The letter meant a lot to me, and I reviewed it throughout the years. ?I guess it struck a chord with many of you because I received a number of comments asking for more guideposts.

In the Pilates studio with the "Wunda Chair"

After reading an article in The New York Times?headlined: ?Relax! You?ll Be More Productive,? I was reminded of the first guidepost on my father?s list -- ?Keep physically fit, mentally and spiritually strong.?

My father recognized the importance of ?down time? long before our frenetic work lives took a turn for the worse with 24/7 Internet and email. ?Dad intuitively knew that relaxing and getting away from the office leads to better performance.? However, as?The New York Times article points out, this philosophy is ?at odds with the prevailing work ethic in most companies, where downtime is typically viewed as time wasted.?

In a study by Right Management, more than one-third of employees eat lunch at their desks on a regular basis.? More than 50 percent assume they?ll work during their vacations ? that is if they even take a vacation.

That was me for a long time ? a real work-a-holic.? Two heart attacks in the 80's and bypass surgery was my wake-up call. I needed to take better care of myself. Now, I take Pilates classes and workout on a treadmill.? I?m in fairly good shape for an ?old goat? as my younger brother, Dick, calls me.? (Sibling rivalry and grandchildren play a big part in pushing me to maintain my fitness.)

Programs like our TakeCare Wellness Challenges help Marriott associates maintain their health and fitness

?At Marriott, we?ve taken some big steps in the area of fitness. ?There's a company-wide health and wellness program called ?TakeCare.? It includes sleep seminars with tips from sleep experts; ?yoga and meditation classes in our fitness center; midday group walks, and other programs to help people get away from their desks and maintain their strong health and fitness.?

Like a top athlete looking to boost performance, we all need recovery time to perform at our best. As the New York Times says, ?It will boost productivity, job performance and, of course, your health.?

So, pace yourself and don?t be afraid to turn it off, unplug.? Get some exercise and fresh air.? And quit eating lunch at your desk.? My dad would approve.

I?m Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.

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Source: http://www.blogs.marriott.com/marriott-on-the-move/2013/02/relax-a-guidepost-to-health.html