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Reconnect with colleagues through walking on October 6

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Strong social ties can have a direct and positive impact on overall health. However, over the past 18 months, the ways we have connected with others have changed and many Iowans may not be feeling as connected to the places they live, learn, work and play.

This lack of social connectedness is not only having an impact on our physical, mental and social health ­– but on business, too. Studies have shown that strong social connections within the workplace are related to happier and physically healthier employees. This translates into improved work performance, less stress, higher engagement and a more cohesive and collaborative office environment.

What company doesn’t want that? There is no better time than now to gather your employees and register for the Healthiest State 11th Annual Walk. The Annual Walk is an opportunity for you to gather with colleagues and join thousands of other Iowans in a collective effort to improve the wellness of our state by walking for 30 minutes on October 6.

Walking is the easiest, most affordable and accessible form of physical activity to improve our health. It’s also a great way to re-connect with your workplace and the people who are part of it. Following more than a year of social distancing and disconnection, walking is the perfect activity to take a step in the right direction for your physical, mental and social health. 

Registering a walk is easy!

  • Register! Registration for the Healthiest State Annual Walk is free and easy. Register at www.IowaHealthiestState.com/Walk.
  • Organize! Your walk can be as simple or spectacular as you’d like it to be! Plan to walk for 30 minutes in the morning, over your lunch break or in the evening time — whenever is most convenient for your group.
  • Get the word out! The Healthiest State Initiative has free online resources to help make your walk a success, including a social media guide, communication templates and posters.

You can also see the map of walks happening across the West Des Moines community by viewing Polk and Dallas counties on the Annual Walk map. Join a larger walk hosted within your community to foster further connection!

Join us on October 6 to improve your own physical, mental and social health along with being part of a greater effort to improve the health of your workplace and make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation. If you do walk with us, please share on social media using #WalkMoreConnectMore.

Don’t stop walking after October 6! Continue creating a culture of social connections and wellness at your workplace by encouraging walking meetings, forming a walking club or hosting team wellness challenges instead of solely focusing on the individual. You can also use this printable walking calendar to motivate employees to move throughout the month of October.

We appreciate your support in helping us reach our goal of becoming the healthiest state in the nation, one walk at a time.

Keep the momentum going with 5-2-1-0 and Healthiest State Month

October is Healthiest State Month – and the Healthiest State 11th Annual Walk serves as a kick-off! Iowans will be celebrating 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! all month long with fun and easy-to-use toolkits.

5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! is a nationally recognized and evidence-based prevention framework to promote healthy habits. The goal is to increase physical activity and healthy eating through policy and environmental change.

Your workplace can get started with 5-2-1-0 by becoming a 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! Registered Workplace. It’s free, easy and the registration process gives your organization an opportunity to evaluate your policies, systems and environments to support a healthy lifestyle. It also makes you eligible to win a Healthiest State Annual Award!

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