Step Up Your Health
Guest Blogger, Christine Alhambra, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at MedStar Health Research Institute
After attending a Wellness Summit earlier this month at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital's Arlington Office with Joan Bardsley, Assistant VP of Core Scientific Services, I was inspired to share my thoughts on the importance of incorporating movement into your daily routine.
At the summit, wellness chairs from across the syst
em took a field trip to Georgetown Hospital to see their "Flights of Fitness" a Revitalization Project to encourage associates and physicians to use the stairs rather than the elevator. Many hours, days, months were spent revitalizing the stairwell with beautiful artwork and inspirational quotes.
Other wellness chairs shared what their sites were doing to encourage health and wellness and keep people active. As the weather changes, for me personally, I know all I want to do after work is go straight home and sit on the couch. But I think it's important to remember that walking or taking the stairs, even if it's for 15 minutes can be a way to not only get some exercise but also spend some time with your fellow associates. Hey, just think of it as the new watercooler!
In health terms, they say sitting is the new smoking. Sitting for long periods without breaks can lead to slower productivity and brain function, increase in disability, greater risk of cardiovascular disease, could cause the pancreas to produce too much insulin, and a long laundry list of other health risks. People spend an estimated two-thirds of their lives at their place of employment. In order to stay healthy, we need to find ways to incorporate physical activity into our workday
I challenge fellow associates to try a walking meeting, or to take the stairs to your desk instead of the elevator a few times a week. To practice what I preach I just signed up for my first 5k of the year that will take place on Thanksgiving.
As part of a health system, we owe it to ourselves to take care of our own health as well as contribute to the health of others.
After attending a Wellness Summit earlier this month at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital's Arlington Office with Joan Bardsley, Assistant VP of Core Scientific Services, I was inspired to share my thoughts on the importance of incorporating movement into your daily routine.
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| My (New) Husband and I after participating in the Savage Mud/Obstacle Race |
At the summit, wellness chairs from across the syst
em took a field trip to Georgetown Hospital to see their "Flights of Fitness" a Revitalization Project to encourage associates and physicians to use the stairs rather than the elevator. Many hours, days, months were spent revitalizing the stairwell with beautiful artwork and inspirational quotes.
Other wellness chairs shared what their sites were doing to encourage health and wellness and keep people active. As the weather changes, for me personally, I know all I want to do after work is go straight home and sit on the couch. But I think it's important to remember that walking or taking the stairs, even if it's for 15 minutes can be a way to not only get some exercise but also spend some time with your fellow associates. Hey, just think of it as the new watercooler!
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| One of the quotes in the Georgetown Hospital "Flights of Fitness" Stairwell |
I challenge fellow associates to try a walking meeting, or to take the stairs to your desk instead of the elevator a few times a week. To practice what I preach I just signed up for my first 5k of the year that will take place on Thanksgiving.
As part of a health system, we owe it to ourselves to take care of our own health as well as contribute to the health of others.
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