"An effective team is a healthy team," says Xpeerience Group head Robert Ortali. The Toronto-based team development group includes health and wellness as part of its multifaceted team building programs, including wellness retreats where groups explore physical and emotional wellness practices ranging from nutrition to Tai Chi.

According to Mr. Ortali, physical and emotional well being are vital parts of the team building process. Without them, even the most attentive team members have trouble staying in synch with their partners. He identifies five key areas where a healthy lifestyle makes it possible to not only be a better team member, but function as a more competent individual.

Concentration: Fatigue, pain, anxiety and depression all reduce concentration. Each problem is a distraction and a demotivator. A proper diet and exercise is probably the best way to broadly treat impediments to distraction. After that, it's a matter of finding a wellness routine that fits individual circumstances, such as meditation as a way to reduce anxiety.

Endurance: Even sedentary tasks require physical fitness when a team is called on to work long hours. Cardiovascular fitness and nutrition are essential to maintaining focus over a long period of time. In office work, muscle and joint health prevents repetitive strain and back pain. In all cases, the workspace should be designed ergonomically to maintain proper posture.

Positive Attitude: Depression can be its own burden or a side effect of other physical or psychological issues. When a team member gets depressed it can not only make him less effective, but spread pessimism to the overall team. While serious depression requires professional help, anyone can have prolonged instances of negative emotions that can be helped with a combination of physical activity, trust-building (depression often steams from a feeling of alienation from other team members) and relaxation techniques.

Quality: Poor health can lead to poor quality work. Team members are too tired to be diligent and drop from genuine focus into "survival mode" to get the job done. Fixing this requires physical health, rest and an emotional bond that helps team members recognize that they rely upon one another.

Stress Reduction: Being part of a team goes beyond just being there for the job. Team members have to be able to rest effectively to "recharge their batteries" in between projects. They key is to eliminate damaging habits and participate fully in restful activities, without bringing work stresses along.

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