News & Updates

Maryland’s State Employee Wellness Initiative for August focuses on increasing opportunities to engage in physical activity.   Evidence shows that regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, certain kinds of cancers, cognitive function loss, and more.  Lack of physical activity and the resulting overweight-obesity status attributes to approximately 20% of deaths in the United States.  Due to the tremendous impact physical inactivity has on your health it is critical that you incorporate physical activity into your daily routines. 

• Brief Fitness Breaks— Take brief, two to three minute, fitness breaks throughout the day for brisk walking, stretching, or stair climbing.
• Stair Usage— Take the stairs instead of the elevators.3
• “Deskercise”— Be active at your workstations as much as possible by doing deskercises (e.g. stretching while on the phone).
• Lunchtime Fitness Activities— Participate in walking clubs, bicycling, or workout classes (e.g. ‘lunchtime hoops’) on-site.
• Walking Clubs- Start and participate in a walking club at your location. 
• Healthy Meetings— Have walking meetings and take physical activity breaks/stretches.
• Walking Trails and Bike Routes—Utilize local trails, map out routes and estimated times to complete them in advance, and consider walking/biking to work.   Check out Cycle Maryland Resources  (including maps, safety laws, cycle funding programs, etc.) and Maryland’s Interactive Bicycle and Trail map to learn more. 
• Local Fitness Opportunities—Contact local venues (e.g. recreation and park offices, YMCA facilities, parks, trails, yoga studios, ZUMBA classes) to engage in physical activity before, during and after the workday.  
  

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