Walk Out on Your Job has been a community event for 20 years. Each year we gather local businesses and encourage everyone to take a walk over their lunch break.
This year, we had 1,208 local employees signed up to walk with us. Of that, 942 employees signed up to walk at their own worksites. That’s the biggest chunk of walkers we’ve ever had choose to walk where they work—and honestly we think that’s great!
That means that as a community, we’re ready to make physical activity part of a regular workday in a regular office space.
Here are a few tips to get started integrating walking into your daily working routine.
Start a Walking Club
It doesn’t have to be as organized as it sounds. Just find a group that wants to walk at about the same time every day (maybe over lunch again?). Walking in groups adds an extra layer of accountability and can actually be a fun and sometimes productive activity at work.
Involve Corporate Leadership
If your leadership team encourages walking at work, more people will feel comfortable doing it. If your leadership team actually walks at work, even more people will get on board. Oftentimes, buy-in trickles down from the top, so get your leadership involved.
Set Reminders
There are lots of reminders that can be effective. Simple signs or posters encouraging people to use the stairs instead of elevators are one way to promote walking. You can also set personal reminders like a timer each hour to remind you to move, or maybe ask an office neighbor to give you a nudge every now and then.
Host Challenges
There’s a healthy sense of competition in almost every workplace. Play into that by setting up a walking challenge. The most steps, miles or minutes spent walking wins. How you reward your winners is entirely up to you!
Utilize Active Design
How your office space is set up can encourage more walking too! Which hallways can you walk through and not distract others? Is there sidewalks around your building? There are lots of ways to stay active at work! Even little bits of physical activity throughout the day can help you and your coworkers stay healthy. Capitalize on the momentum you’ve got from walking with us last week and keep moving!