Cairngorms authority walks the walk!
When it comes to exercise the Cairngorms National Park Authority certainly talk the talk – but now they can prove they walk the walk too.
The authority is always telling residents and visitors that walking is good for you – but they practice what they preach and proved it this week by receiving the Walk at Work Award, which recognises workplaces in Scotland creating healthy and active workforces.
CNPA staff have been taking part in regular walks over lunchtime, with some staff meetings being walking events rather than sat round a table.
Kate Christie, head of organisational development, commented: “Regular physical activity during the working day certainly makes for a happier, healthier workforce and we have several internal policies that support this approach.
"As well as being good for our physical and mental wellbeing, walking instead of taking the car is also good for the environment, helping us all to reduce our carbon footprint, which is so important at this time."
Recent findings from UK workplaces reveal that half of all employees experience poor mental health at work, including stress, anxiety and depression.
Regular walking can reduce the effects of poor mental health.
Scotland’s walking charity Paths for All set up the award to help tackle poor health in the workplace and reverse the trend of inactive workplaces where staff sit for up to nine hours a day.
Ian Findlay, Paths for All’s chief officer, urges all Scottish workplaces to take their employee’s health seriously: “Congratulations to the CNPA for achieving our Walk at Work Award.
"It’s brilliant to see Scottish workplaces take the lead in creating a work-based walking culture and making improvements to staff health and wellbeing.
“Research shows that employees who are physically active in and around the working day take fewer sick days, are more motivated and productive, and are more able to concentrate, so walking is not just good for us, it’s good for business."
Taking part is free and open to any Scottish workplace that wants to promote an active workforce.
More information from www.walkatwork.scot.