KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — According to the American Heart Association, one in four U.S. adults is sedentary for eight or more hours each day. This can have a negative impact on physical and mental health.
The Heart Association celebrates National Walking Day on April 3rd. The association wants us all to get active by doing something as simple as going for a walk on our lunch break.
“The American Heart Association is a constant force for building healthier communities, one step at a time,” said Greater Knoxville Heart Walk Director Mindy Savage. “National Walking Day shows the progress that can happen when people come together and take steps, big and small, to improve the health of their communities.”
Knoxville businesses are already working hard to move employees around. At MBI Companies, staff are encouraged to get up from behind their desks and take a walk on the sidewalk every day.
“We did a six-week challenge where we did things like walk stairs and the team that walked the most stairs earned the most points. ,” said Beth Ann Carter of MBI.
It's a competition that focuses on heart health, and the objective is simply to move.
“But once we actually started doing it, Erin and I and a few other staff members started walking, and then they were like, well, I guess I'll join in and see what happens. , we had fierce competition and everyone was walking on that ladder,” Carter said.
The outside staircase next to their office was used until it broke and needed repair. Your co-workers are stepping out beyond the office. It's now part of the company's culture.
“Unfortunately, about 15 years ago now, we had a founder who passed away in his office on a Friday morning. It was pretty traumatic for our entire group. And that's why our company remains healthy. ,” said Erin Harlow, vice president of architecture.
She said the partnership with the American Heart Association was a natural fit.
“And now, after last year's challenges, we felt we needed to take it to the next level. More than 60 people within our company participated. About 100 people from our company participated in the Heart Walk. So by adding a little bit of a competitive element, we were able to encourage participation in that focus, which is about overall health and heart health in particular,” she said.
This mission is part of MBI's big picture.
“So how do you encourage your employees to stay and be loyal to your company? By encouraging them to be their best selves, both professionally and health-wise, And I think that really goes back to our overall mission of improving lives. If we can improve the lives of our staff through health initiatives and support, then that's what we do. It will only help us retain our talented staff,” Harlow said.
MBI also uses third-party apps to track your steps and incentivize you to move. An employee can earn up to $ 5 per day with simple moves. That money goes into their health savings account.
