Wellness Library

Walking Club

Walking clubs or “trekking” can either be done in real time (by scheduling walking groups), or clubs can be set it up so individuals do their walking on their own and keep a shared log at work. Following a certain number of miles or steps are logged, staff members are eligible for membership into the walking “club” and receive something like a prize (a walking pin, similar to the ones that volkswalkers get, or a certificate of membership). Ways to continue interest in walking groups include:

• Periodic announcements about neighborhood walking programs. Keep abreast of programs in the neighborhood, Parks & Recreation programs, available tracks, inside walking options, volkswalking programs, etc.
• Regualr information specific to walkers; such as what to look for when buying a pair of walking shoes.
• Consider a worksite group to take part in a local fundraiser walk, such as the March of Dimes walk.
• A walking club can be the kind of “club” that never really meets, or it can be the kind that does offer the option for those who are interested in group walks and events.

Health Awareness Video Programming

Many great health related videos and DVDs are available through loan programs either at no or low expenditures. Select video programming based on employee interests and needs.

• Schedule periodic health video viewings at lunchtime brown bag sessions.
• The videos can be related to health or other related wellness subject matters like financial planning, caring for aging parents, or even humor as a “break” from the work routine.
• Preview videos before showing them to insure they are appropriate, not too long, etc.
• Have a Employee Wellness Program Committee Host moderate the viewing, greet people, and lead a brief discussion after the video. Organize one or two questions for discussion after previewing the video and use these to lead the discussion. Many health videos come with group discussion questions.
• Supply a pertinent educational handouts for participants to take with them for more information on the topic.
• If possible, provide popcorn or fruit as a snack.
• Offer a prize drawing (or points if you are doing that kind of incentive program) for those attending the video program and discussion.

Wellness Mentors

Every worksite generally has at least a couple of workers who have successfully made changes in their health. Often, other workers will relate to one of their peers. Peer reinforcement can go a long ways in encouraging healthy changes.

• Seek volunteers from the work force who have experienced a disease resulting from an unhealthy behavior, or survived or recovered from a disease that just happens like breast cancer, and who have successfully made positive changes.
• Join these success story workers with workers struggling with similar health concerns.
• Both staff members participating in the mentoring process are doing so on a voluntary basis. Respect the privacy of this very special relationship.
• A Company Health Promotion Program Committee person can be involved from a peripheral standpoint, and be available to share other resources that might be valuable to both staff members.

Tags: Corporate Wellness, health, medical, Wellness Library

This entry was posted on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at 3:17 am and is filed under Corporate Wellness, Wellness Library. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.