Movement is a fundamental aspect of life. It affects everything from circulation to digestion to metabolism to immunity. The body contributes far more to our lives than just physical attributes such as strength and endurance – it plays a major role in emotions, learning, and relationships.
By participating in the upcoming 10K-A-Day activity challenge, we can focus on incorporating more movement into our daily routine. 10K-A-Day is a fun-filled walking tour that takes you to some of the world’s most fascinating cities. As you strive for 10,000 daily steps, you’ll stop at exciting tourist hot spots each day — from ancient fortresses to seaside parks. Along the way you’ll improve health and overall well-being while moving toward feeling your best.
This workplace wellness challenge is a great opportunity to think about the impact your work environment has on your health and well-being. Have a conversation with your supervisor about the importance of movement and encouraging your colleagues to join in the activity challenge. Here are some talking points to help you demonstrate the upside of adding movement into your workday:
- “Productivity is harmed by excessive sitting,” says James Levine, M.D., Ph.D., director of Obesity Solutions at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and Arizona State University. “People who are physically active at work become more productive — about 11 to 15 percent more productive.”
- Research suggests that sitting for long durations may contribute to serious negative health outcomes such as cardiac complications, increased risk for certain cancers, and even early mortality.
- There are simple ways for office workers to reduce exposure to sedentary behaviors and create a more active workplace. Examples include:
- Moving to alternative working areas to change postures when not involved in intensive computer tasks;
- Walking and standing more during the workday (pacing during phone calls and having walking or standing meetings);
- Reclining and fidgeting while seated; and
- Utilizing sit-to-stand workstations and alternating postures frequently.
I encourage each of you to incorporate more movement into your day and see the difference in your physical and emotional health at the end of the 8-week challenge. Learn more about 10K-A-Day at the April Champion luncheons or visit our website.
