Social benefits

Encouraging walking to work and activity throughout the day helps to improve connections to co-workers, helps relieve stress by providing opportunities to move and talk about issues, and fosters a more positive working environment by helping staff feel included and valued.

Economic benefits

The Public Health Agency of Canada has reported that physically active employees take 27% fewer sick days, which means that increasing workplace access to physical activity opportunities for employees could potentially lower benefit costs. Having a healthy/active workplace not only affects the employees but also influences productivity, retention and recruitment.

Using active transportation can help save employers and employees thousands of dollars per year by reducing the need for employer sponsored parking and monthly parking fees.

Health benefits

The Canadian Fitness Lifestyle Research Institute reports Nova Scotians spend about 10.5 hours of their waking hours at work and commuting to and from work . Being inactive can shave almost four years off a person’s expected lifespan. However, we can help meet our recommended physical activity levels in bouts of 10 minutes—the perfect amount of time for walking to/from meetings or taking a quick walk during lunch. [links to Physical Activity Guidelines]

Mental benefits

Whether walking 10 minutes or 30, the break and change of scenery can help recharge your battery and work through an issue or situation on your mind. Being active induces chemicals in your body that make you feel happy.

Environmental benefits

Walking takes you places and walking to/from work and to meetings can improve health and help reduce the organization’s carbon footprint. Replacing car trips (often one person per vehicle) with car-pooling, cycling, walking and the use of public transportation helps improve air quality and reduce global warming.