Easy steps to encourage and create more physical activity

Council approves new Physical Activity Strategy

Bringing recreation and physical activity to people rather than them having to seek it out, is a big part of Truro’s newly adopted Physical Activity Strategy.

“It will help our town promote a healthier, more active lifestyle, including active transportation, which is a priority council has identified,” Councillor Juliana Bernard said. “I like the fact it includes the importance of social connection as well. Mental and physical well-being go handin-hand, as we all know.”

Active Community co-ordinator Shannon Jarvis said the intent is get people involved in the workplace, schools and so forth, as opposed to participating in a traditional model of physical activity in a gym or a registered program while engaged with other people.

“You don’t have to go for a run for an hour to be considered physically active,” she said, noting simple steps such as an office layout where equipment, such as a printer or water cooler, are just far enough away from desks that a person has to walk a bit. Every little bit of activity adds up, which is another point of the strategy, Jarvis said.

“Staff parking a little further from the door instead of the closest spots or encouraging stairwell usage instead of the elevator, there are things that get people moving,” she said, adding the extra movement may not seem like much through the day, but certainly accumulates over a week.

It can also be about encouraging active transportation for employees. Jarvis talked about taking steps to help someone use their bike to get to work, or walk, if that’s a practical option.

“If someone is biking to work, having somewhere for them to leave their bike that’s not outside in the elements or, if they’re nervous about it getting stolen, a safe place to park it,” she said.

Providing an appropriate place for an employee to change out of their exercise clothing into work attire is another step towards encouraging physical activity, she said. Likewise for providing an employee with information as to what is close to the workplace for physical activity options.

“If they are working downtown, little walking routes measured out so they would know, if they want to go for a quick, one-kilometre loop around the block, it’s timed, so they could do that,” Jarvis said.

Allowing a worker to combine breaks to allow for longer walks could also be an option, she said, if that type of flexibility is available.

“If you have a small green space, maybe some garden planters out back,” Jarvis said, adding to her list of suggestions. “Then you have the physical activity of being out and working in the planter, as well the mental health of taking the break.”

She described the strategy as “high level” with over-arching goals and objectives.

“The meat of it will be where we develop the work plan,” she said, adding that work will start with reaching back out to stakeholders and other related groups.

To view the strategy, log onto the town’s website at truro.ca.