Staying physically active reduces risk of chronic conditions including 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 or stretching meetings).
  • 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:

 

For more information, download the physical activity section of the Worksite Wellness Toolkit! 

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