Walking has numerous benefits to the body and, for many, is one of the most immediate ways to add physical activity to your life. Walking doesn’t requiring special equipment or a gym membership, is relatively low-cost and is considered one of the safest forms of exercise. Some of the health benefits of walking include:
- Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Reducing the risk of a heart attack and stroke
- Controlling diabetes and reducing risk for developing Type 2 diabetes
- Increasing overall strength, energy and stamina
- Helping maintain and reduce weight
- Bettering mental health by improving mood and cognitive function as well as reducing stress
- Improving sleep quality
With the new My Wellness program year beginning Sept. 1, employees and their spouses can now earn points that can lead to tangible rewards. One of the activities that can earn points is obtaining at least 8,000 steps per day. While this activity can be manually recorded in the My Wellness portal each day, points for this activity can be automatically credited just by syncing a fitness tracker to the portal. Many devices and apps are compatible with the portal. See the FAQ document for more information and instructions for syncing.
Those wanting to develop a personal fitness routine, incorporate physical activity into the workday, or learn how to exercise effectively can take part in UMove, the free one-on-one wellness coaching program focused on physical activity. Individuals wanting to take their exercise routine to the next level and move past the dreaded exercise plateau can take part in the UFit coaching offering, which is focused on advanced physical activity.
These programs, like all the health coaching offerings that are part of the My Wellness program, are free, one-on-one and confidential and can provide 100 My Wellness points upon completion. Employees and their spouses can sign up for this and other health coaching programs by emailing coaching@marqueehealth.com, calling 800-882-2109 or logging in to the My Wellness portal and clicking “Coaching.”
