The One Mile "Happy Walk"

Every once in awhile we try to re-energize our co-workers and get them more excited about exercising. As you hear time and time again, it is not too difficult to sneak exercise into your day. At the library we are allowed two 15 minute breaks during our day. For years, many of us have not been taking these breaks. But, it is so important to get up and take a stretch.
In 2008, one in four U.S. adults reported no leisure physical activity. In 2010, one in ten people over the age of 20 (that's about 25 million people) had diabetes. Sitting increases the risk of death up to 40% and doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease. Physical activity is not just the "exercise" you do in the gym, but the movement that you do throughout your day. Physical activity includes walking to the bathroom that is furthest from your desk, delivering a message to a co-worker in person rather than sending an email, etc. Short bouts of activity can change a person's mood, give a person a needed mental break, and is even shown to increase productivity in the workplace.

We have always been a big fan of excerise enthusiast Lesley Sansone. She has numerous walking dvd's that are simple to follow and get people up and moving. With this in mind, we try to get as many staff members as are interested to do her 15 minute video that is entitled the "1 Mile Happy Walk" with us once a day. It is the perfect amount of time for our break, it can be done by staff members no matter what their level of exercise expertise, and it is just plain fun.

 
Staff members participating during a morning break: