Below is a brief summary of our webinar, "Boosting Employee Well-Being: The Impact of Movement Beyond Exercise", hosted by Wellvation President Dan Proulx and Mayo Clinic Wellness Exercise Specialist Bradley Prigge, M.Ed. We explored how small, everyday movements can significantly impact health and well-being.
This summary highlights the key takeaways from the discussion, including practical tips for incorporating more movement into your daily life and the science behind its benefits. To dive deeper and gain the full experience, we encourage you to watch the complete webinar. You won’t want to miss the actionable strategies and expert insights shared during the session!
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The webinar hosted by Dan Proulx, President of Wellvation, in collaboration with Bradly Prigge, M.Ed., and Wellness Exercise Specialist at Mayo Clinic, focused on the broader concept of movement as a vital component of overall well-being. Key takeaways emphasized the importance of incorporating non-exercise activities into daily life, how small behavioral changes impact health outcomes, and practical strategies for improving movement habits.
Introduction to Movement
Bradly Prigge discussed movement as a journey rather than a destination. Traditional exercise metrics like achieving 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity weekly (e.g., brisk walking) are important but shouldn't overshadow incremental progress. He introduced the concept of Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT), highlighting how everyday actions like walking, standing, and even chewing gum contribute significantly to calorie expenditure and health.
Movement vs. Sedentary Lifestyles
Research shared during the webinar demonstrated the risks of sedentary behaviors, including increased cardiovascular risk and weight gain, even among those who exercise regularly. Historical studies comparing active roles (e.g., bus conductors vs. drivers) revealed that movement throughout the day substantially reduces health risks.
Reframing Movement
Movement doesn't have to be only structured workouts. Everyday tasks like parking farther from a destination, using stairs, or household chores were cited as valuable forms of movement. These "micro-movements" have physiological benefits, reducing fatigue, improving energy levels, and contributing to better mental and physical health outcomes.
NEAT and Its Health Impact
Dr. James Levine’s research on NEAT was highlighted, showing that small, consistent movements can lead to significant calorie burns and health benefits over time. For example, simple activities like standing or leisurely walking doubled calorie expenditure compared to lying down. These activities also improve cardiovascular health, brain function, and mental well-being.
Practical Tips for Incorporating Movement
Bradly Prigge provided actionable advice for building movement into daily routines:
- At Home: Engage in household tasks, spend time on the floor to improve flexibility, or use stairs frequently.
- At Work: Utilize standing desks, take walking meetings, and set reminders to break sedentary periods.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Park farther away, walk during phone calls, and opt for stairs over elevators.
Brad also introduced simple desk exercises like squats, push-ups, and lunges that anyone can perform to integrate movement during work hours.
Conclusion
The webinar closed with a call to action to embrace small changes in daily routines that foster a culture of movement. Brad Prigge emphasized that movement doesn’t need to be exhaustive or highly structured—every little bit counts.
To read the whole transcript, click here!