Workplaces are becoming increasingly inactive, and with advances in technology we now must make a conscious effort to sit less and get moving. At Darling Downs Health, we care about your health and wellbeing, and reaching 10,000 steps every day is one way to maintain a healthy, fit lifestyle.
We know 10,000 steps sounds like a big number. You probably feel it is not achievable, especially if you work in an office and sit down for majority of the day. We are here to tell you it is possible, and how easily you can achieve 10,000 steps each day.
Spoken in the wise words of Winston Churchill, “Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.”
Let’s get healthy, together!
Easy tips to increase your step count:
- Park further away from the entrance to your workplace or the shops
- Take the stairs as much as possible
- Rather than holding your team meetings inside, go for a walking meeting
- Socialise with friends and family by going for walks
- Walk to get your morning coffee
- Use toilets, printers and tea rooms furthest from your work station
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that make it easier to move
- Set an alarm to remind you to move or go for a walk
- Walk over to work colleagues rather than emailing or calling them
- Go for a quick walk around your work facility during your breaks
- Use a standing desk
The Darling Downs region has many great national parks filled with native trees, bush animals and walking tracks. Take the family, friends or your dogs for a bush-walk at Crows Nest National Park, Ravensbourne National Park or Table Top Mountain Bushland Reserve.
Health benefits of achieving 10,000 steps a day:
- Reduce your risk of chronic diseases
- Improve posture, mobility and balance
- Help maintain a healthy weight
- Lower rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, colon and breast cancer
- Improve muscular and cardiovascular fitness
- Reguarly walking creates opportunities to meet new people
- Lastly, reaching 10,000 steps leads to a fuller, longer life!
Walking, like any form of exercise, is great for your mental health. It helps relieve stress and clears the mind. Walking also provides opportunities for brainstorming and thinking of new creative ideas.
“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking”
Friedrich Nietzsche
Want to hear our secret? Walking is free! You don’t need a gym membership, fancy shoes, brand label clothes or an expensive device on your wrist. There are free apps on your smart device to download that track your daily steps for you.
Let’s get walking! #healthiertogether