Walking Challenge Boosts Mood and Energy Levels

Read how one Well-being Ambassador created a walking challenge to promote physical and mental well-being within her team

Written by: Amanda C Mitsch | Published on: 7/28/2024

Well-being Ambassadors (WBA) are volunteer representatives from across the organization at all levels and shifts who promote a culture of health and well-being centered on the Five Pillars of Well-Being: Nourish, Move, Connect, Prevent and Refresh.

Patricia Colella, Lead Innovation Strategist for UH Ventures, has been a WBA for two years now and loves being an outlet for her team for anything related to health and wellness.

“This has always been a passion of mine, and I’m so happy that I can bring this enthusiasm into the workplace and share it with my teammates,” said Patricia. “Being a well-being ambassador allows me to foster a supportive and healthy environment where everyone feels encouraged to prioritize their physical and mental health.”

Being a sports enthusiast, Patricia was filling out a March Madness bracket and wondered how she could incorporate that excitement into a well-being activity for her team. From there, she created the Walking Challenge.

The Walking Challenge she began for her team runs for one month and participants earn points by engaging in walking meetings and personal walking time, with the scoring system as follows:

• 30-minute walking meeting = 1 point
• 60-minute walking meeting = 2 points
• Long-distance runners and bikers can earn a maximum of 4 points per session

To participate, her team members must submit their walk details and a photo or recording in the designated Teams chat. The photos can be a selfie on your walk, your walking path, a group photo with your walking buddy, etc. This friendly competition features a unique twist: each week, the winner becomes a team captain, and the other participant joins their team to help accumulate points.

Patricia’s Walking Challenge is designed to encourage everyone to stand up, get out of their chairs and take a walk to promote physical activity and mental refreshment.

“Many of us spend long hours at our desks on Zoom meetings, often without a break,” explains Patricia. “It’s crucial to step outside and get fresh air. On the most stressful days, I find that the first breath of fresh air makes all the difference in resetting my mind and body.”

Regular physical activity, such as walking, is known to improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress and enhance mental clarity. Spending time outdoors and engaging in physical movement can also boost mood and energy levels, contributing to overall well-being.

In Patricia’s Walking Challenge this year, 26 people participated, fostering a sense of community and teamwork and enhancing both physical health and social connections.

“The best thing about our walking challenge is how it allows us to take peeks into one another’s lives outside of work from the photos,” said Allison Grazia, one of Patricia’s colleagues and a Walking Challenge participant. “Having a walking meeting with a colleague at work is a great way to stretch the mind and the legs, but seeing how we spent time with family, partners and of course our furry friends, creates a different kind of atmosphere amongst our team. Our hearts benefit, but I think the heart of the team does too, and I love how engaged everyone was and how much we learned about one another.”

“Seeing the positive impact on my colleagues’ well-being is incredibly rewarding and motivates me to continue promoting these innovative initiatives,” said Patricia.