Let’s welcome in the month of May by setting new goals and making small changes to look after our
wellbeing! May brings new possibilities and this month it’s an opportunity to reflect on how we
move.
Building activity into our daily routine with small changes like active travel can be a step towards a
healthier lifestyle. Active travel may not always be possible but changes such as parking further away
or moving a meeting so you have to walk to attend are great first steps!
Motivation to actively travel can be made easier if joined by friends, colleagues or family members.
Why not start a walking group to work which not only will increase your steps but also create an
opportunity to talk and start conversations with colleagues before the work day begins. Checking in
on each other’s mental health can be an important step in recognising stresses and anxieties that
can be reduced by moving!
Getting moving outside has a range of benefits from increasing concentration to reducing stress to
lowering blood pressure which not only creates a positive start to the day but ensure our long term
mental and physical wellbeing is cared for. Activities like gardening, yoga and walking are all
inclusive and low impact movements that increase time spent outside and allow us to refresh.
Mental Health Awareness week in May focuses on the benefits of movement for our mental
wellbeing. The beauty of physical activity and movement is that there’s so many choices and
opportunities which means there’s something for everyone. The Find Your Active Activity Finder is
something we encourage Essex residents to utilise so they can explore the range of options available
to them. Trying something new can open doors to new experiences, connections and positive
feelings ; https://www.activeessex.org/activity-finder/ .
Prioritising mental health should start at an early age and the Move With Us campaign highlights
how young people should be encouraged to get moving outside. National Walking Month could be a
great way to introduce young people to the benefits of being active because experiencing nature
with friends or family and chatting along the way can be a positive experience they’ll replicate in
adulthood as they develop!
Explore the many ways to get active outdoors this May! Visit: www.activeessex.org/find-your-active
https://www.activeessex.org/move-with-us/
Free Bike Maintenance and Cycle Maintenance for your workplace
We are pleased to announce that the Essex County Council’s Cycle Training Team can run a selection of bike maintenance sessions for your staff/community to help them get out and about on their bikes completely free of charge.
The ideas below are what we think might fit within the offer, however we are more interested in supporting with ideas that fit for them. It could be the below combined with a ride if its community groups, we would just like to reach these groups
This is fully funded through the Active Travel Capability Fund. The below is what we thought might suit,
- Instructor led bike maintenance session (performed on a demonstration bike) – we will set up a ‘workstation’ on your site, where employees/residents will be shown what to look for on a bike repair, how to recognise when it needs to go to a qualified mechanic and teach them how to fix a puncture.
- D.I.Y bike maintenance session (own bike required) – we will set up a ‘workstation’ on your site, where employees/residents bring their own bikes, and our mechanic will show them how to diagnose and fix various problems. They will also be taught how to repair a puncture.
- Run a Dr Bike workshop (bike dropped off and collected once repaired), where employees/residents bring their own bikes and leave with our mechanic for them to check and then carry out any minor repairs needed. This would be for around 5 hours. In conjunction with this option, we would include a puncture repair workshop to teach people how to fix these themselves.
We may be able to offer one option in isolation or a combination of two, depending on the needs of the business/community. If you are interested in finding out more about this offer or would like to discuss further, please contact cycletrainingteam@essex.gov.uk.
Morning and Lunchtime 15 minute online Workouts
Workplace Zoom Sessions:
Monday’s 9:00 – 9.15am: Lindsey – Move and Stretch Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 857 0196 5702
Passcode: 030174
Tuesday’s 12:00 – 12:15 with Chloe Townsend – Lunchtime Energiser Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 830 4829 4750
Passcode: 714925
Wednesday’s 08.45 – 09:00am with Chloe Townsend – Cardio Blast Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 837 396
Thursday’s 09:00 – 09:15 am with Chloe Townsend – Total Tone Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 854 5969 0931
Passcode: 629695
Friday’s 08.45 – 09:00 am with Lindsey Abbott – Move and Stretch Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 837 7303 0512
Passcode: 218151
Workplace Pledge and Active Travel Toolkit
You can download social medial pledge cards, which can be used in emails, to help show what you and your workplace/team will pledge to do. You can also access the Newsletter and other useful resources For more details about the Pledge and to download your Active Travel Toolkit and Workplace guide
Find Your Active is focused on helping people find time to move, get more active and enjoy the benefits. This month it about bringing to focus the importance of workplaces encouraging physical activity.
Working in a busy office can often result in long hours spent at a desk but workplaces and their employees should adopt a new way of working in which physical activity opportunities are injected into every day. This could include creating a 50 minute meeting with a 10 minute stretch to finish which encourages a group movement stretch to relieve aching muscles and energise. Small changes such as this could initiate long-term benefits for both the employees and the workplace.
Not only are there physical benefits to promoting an active workplace but mental benefits also. Activities such as stretching, or yoga can increase serotonin levels and subsequently reduce stress and stabilise one’s mood. In a stressful working environment this could be vital.
Outside of the office, travelling to work is another opportunity to get active! If you can, why not try walking, scooting or cycling into the office to increase your activity levels whilst also doing your bit to reduce the greenhouse emissions and help improve air quality.
Introducing these small changes into your life could help in the long term and increase your energy levels day to day which will reflect in your working life.
To find out more, visit the webpage below, or get in touch to see how we can support.
www.activeessex.org/find-your-active
