Staying physically active reduces risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer. Physical activity also supports emotional health and stress reduction. Creating a workplace that promotes physical activity through policies, programs, and the built environment can help employees stay active during the workday.
RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES:
Education and Awareness
- Promote daily physical activity breaks.
- Build wellness activities into events.
- Offer incentives for active commuting.
- Create a physical activity challenge.
- Offer incentives for participating in physical activities.
- Enter local fitness activities, such as 5K fun runs, as a company team.
- Include family members in activities that promote physical activity.
On-Site Support
- Offer on-site fitness opportunities.
- Provide space to be physically active.
- Start a bike or snowshoe sharing program.
- Provide fitness equipment on-site for employees to use.
- Support physical activity breaks and active meetings (e.g. walking meetings).
- Use signs, prompts and create ”inviting” stairwells to encourage the use of stairs.
- Provide maps of trails or walking paths in the area.
- Provide discounts for fitness classes, gyms or health clubs.
- Make sure on-site supports are available for employees of all physical abilities, providing adaptive equipment and opportunities.
Policy Change
- Develop a wellness break policy.
- Adopt a physical activity policy.
- Create guidelines for flexible work schedules to allow physical activity.
RELATED RESOURCES:
- Go! Vermont – Promotes active and green commuting at the workplace
- Local Motion - Supports active transportation
- Vermont State Parks Hiking Trails
- Come Alive Outside - Physical activity challenges for all ages
- CDC Physical Activity Breaks for the Workplace Resource Guide
- Races and Physical Activity Challenges in Vermont:
- Run Vermont
- Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports and Vermont Corporate Cup
- Vermont Senior Games
- Come Alive Outside Physical Activity Challenges
For more information, download the physical activity section of the Worksite Wellness Toolkit!