Posted by admin | Posted in Employee Wellness, wellness program | Posted on 24-07-2010
To make a difference in the lives of your fellow workers, you first need to understand that getting active is not simply a matter of option. Some things are within our individual control, but others are shaped by the individuals and circumstances in which we live and work.
It is Easier to be Active When…
• We know what to do and have the confidence, skills and opportunity to do it.
• It is fun. “Working out” at the fitness center does not appeal to everybody. Activities need to reflect what people enjoy.
• Our friends, family or colleagues are active with us (or at least support us).
• We feel safe, thanks to well-lit streets or stairwells.
• Sidewalks, walking/bicycling trails, parks and fitness clubs are nearby.
• We’ve money to pay for equipment, instruction or memberships.
• We can walk, bicycle or take public transit to work.
• Active choices like taking the stairs, having stretch breaks at meetings and going outside at lunchtime are “normal” in the worksite.
• Managers support and recognize employee efforts. Better yet, they participate.
• We can juggle our work hours to fit in physical activity.
Think about how you might develop some of these conditions in your worksite. By taking these steps, you will make it more likely that staff members both want and can easily be active during the workday.
Workplace physical activity programs that focus only on individuals have limited success. Research shows that reaching people in various ways gives the best chance of long-term success.
A strategy directed at multiple levels is also called an “ecological approach.”