I am not generally known for being much of a mover, and yet I’ve got quite good at building activity into my day.
The word ‘sport’ makes me shudder. I’m not keen on the word ‘exercise’ either. Despite this, I walk a lot. I walked between 2 and 6 miles every day in April, with my 6 month old son strapped to my chest. Together we watched Spring spring. Naked branches donned verdant cloaks. Snowdrops gave way to daffodils, and suddenly, a patch of bluebells that wasn’t there the day before became a carpet of purple.
We saw the same dogs, and their people. Birds going about in pairs, horses shuffled from paddock to paddock. Raindrops on our faces, warm sun on our limbs, the breeze in our hair, the smell of blossom and grass and wet leaves and cow poo. Things we wouldn’t have experienced if I hadn’t walked.
I’m currently house hunting, and I’ve realised what an absolutely priority it is for me to be able to reach shops and amenities on foot, and to be able to walk for miles in nature without first getting in the car.
But what about work? Especially for those many of us with ‘sedentary’ jobs? When are we supposed to fit raindrops on roses and cow poo up noses into our busy working week?
At the recent “GMMoving” conference, delegates were encouraged to eschew ‘work shoes’ and wear trainers. Walking directions to the venue were provided alongside information about parking, bus routes and tram stops. Over the lunch break we were given the opportunity to undertake a ‘daily mile’ in the fresh air.
I’m already on board with all of this. I’d already planned to walk there, before I knew all of this. (Punctuality is not one of my strengths, and when I’m in a rush I find it much easier to go by foot; you can accelerate to top speed without breaking the law and leap over obstacles if necessary.)
Here are 3 quotes from this conference that got me thinking:
1) “Why is cycling and walking the ‘last resort’ transport? Think about maximum benefit for society. Improving the environment, improving health.” (Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester)
2) “We have to get more people outside of the NHS to think that health and well-being is central to what they do.” (Warren Heppolette, Executive Lead, Strategy and Transformation, GMHSCP GreaterSport Board)
3) “The solution is to behave differently, work differently.” (Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive, Sport England)
At Boo HQ we are encouraged to be healthier and happier employees in whatever way works best for us. We can do a daily mile, or lunges over lunch, or yoga in the corner of the office. We support other organisations to do the same. Employers need not be concerned about a negative impact on productivity, when in fact research shows the opposite to be true. Just 20 minutes of doing something vaguely energetic during the working day significantly boosts the brain for the remaining tasks ahead. However, a culture of activity in the workplace and the potential benefits that result for both employers and employees can only prevail if the idea is championed by management at all levels.
Just behave differently, work differently.
Bosses: facilitate this.
#bemoreBoo
