How many of you rely on the daily caffeine hit to get through the day? Well now you can make your regular coffee stop a healthy one!
Heart Foundation Walking has designed a program, partnering with 10,000 Steps to encourage office workers to take a morning coffee trail to increase their daily step count.
This comes from the recent ‘Walk to Work Week,’ which aims to highlight the benefits of physical activity in the workplace and encourages employees to take a break from their desk and add more steps into their day.
The coffee trail is designed to be about 10-15 minutes away from the workplace, towards a local café and encourages workers to go on a ‘coffee run’ with fellow employees and neighbouring businesses.
“The coffee trails get workplaces walking and it’s a fun way to introduce activity among staff,” State coordinator of the Heart Foundation Walking, Anna Campbell said.
“Offices next door to each other join up and walk together, allowing people to meet others outside of the workplace,” said Ms Campbell.
Beth Meertens, Heart Foundation’s Spokesperson on Nutrition says the initiative originally started in her office in Brisbane, when office workers needed to prioritise movement during the day.
“The bribery of coffee got people moving, and it was a way to also check out the new coffee spots popping up around Brisbane,” said Ms Meertens.
“It’s so important for our hearts. We know that the longer we’re sitting around, it increases our risk of heart disease and chronic diseases. It’s good for both healthy hearts and healthy minds,” Ms Meertens said.
For more information on walking groups in your area and tips to a healthier lifestyle while working, visit the Heart Foundation Walking page.