Healthy, Vibrant Workplace: Jump Start the New Year with Physical Activity

Physical activity improves health and well-being by reducing stress, strengthening the heart and lungs, and increasing energy levels. Physical activity can also help people achieve and maintain a healthy body weight and improve their outlook on life, yet 63 percent of Canadians are not active enough to gain health benefits.

Many people feel they are too busy during their work day to participate in fitness. Here are 10 simple tips to help make physical activity a part of YOUR day.

1. Keep your program simple and start gradually.
2. Bring a pair of running shoes and leave them at work.
3. Make physical activity part of your daily commute by walking a little farther to the bus or parking farther away from your destination.
4. Grab a co-worker and step away from your desk for a quick mid-morning or lunchtime walk.
5. Take breaks throughout day to stretch and move about.
6. Walk to a co-workers office rather than always emailing or phoning.
7. Introduce a stair walking challenge at work.
8. Sneak in a 10 to 15 minute walk after work before going home.
9. Contact Campus Recreation to sign up for one of their lunchtime programs such as: yoga, personal training, swimming, or skating.
10. Start a walking group with co-workers.