Health Exchange

Two weeks ago, Health Exchange exhibited at ‘Voice 11’, the annual conference of the Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC). As a social enterprise dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing, we wanted to get as many people as possible at Voice 11 to think more carefully about their health, changes they might like to make to their lifestyles, and  specific choices that could improve their lifestyles. To help with this, we organised a ‘Pedometer Challenge’ to find out if collectively all the conference attendees could walk a distance equivalent to New York and back again!

Gathering data

We gave away pedometers to as many people as we could, and asked them to text or tweet us at the end of the day with the number of steps they recorded. We thought walking around all those exhibition stands meant people would walk a lot further than they do on an average day, and we were right! The number of steps taken by all those who texted and tweeted us ranged from (a colossal!) 19,203 steps to 1,212 steps (we assume this pedometer was handed out later in the day!), and the average was 9,725 steps per person. A good average step length (across a large group of people) is 30” (76cm), and from this the average distance walked by conference attendees on the day was 4.6 miles (7.4 Km) per person.

Going the distance

So did we make it? The SEC have told us there were approximately 1500 delegates at Voice 11. Assuming each delegate also walked 4.6 miles, then collectively the conference walked 6,900 miles. According to Google Earth, the straight line distance from Nelson’s Column to Times Square is just under 3,355 miles, which is a 6,710 mile round trip!                                 

So the conference walked to New York and back with 190 miles to spare!!

Answers to some FAQ’s:

How far should I walk each day?

The average of 9,725 steps recorded on the day is pretty close to the 10,000 steps generally accepted as the number that a healthy adult should aim for each day. It is significantly more than the average for a sedentary or office worker, which can be as low as 3,000 steps per day. Many of us could and should make the effort to include more walking in our daily routines, and Health Exchange even organises regular 30-40 minute health walks to enable people to take some gentle exercise and improve their fitness levels.

How can I include more walking in my daily routine?

The best way to start is to ask yourself exactly that question: “How can I do this?” We all have different daily routines but if you want to do it, you will find a way. 

If you use public transport each day, get off one stop earlier and walk the remainder of the way. If you drive to work, use a car park further from work, and finish the journey on foot. See if your company will ‘swap’ car parks with another company a short distance away, or even set up an organised walk at lunchtime. If your daily routine involves a number of short meetings with colleagues, leave the desks and chairs behind and hold your meeting whilst walking around the block together‘ – we call this ‘Walking the Talk’.

At home, get into the habit of a short walk after a meal, or take the dog for a longer walk at least three times a week.

Get yourself a pedometer – They are not expensive, and you will probably be surprised at how much (or how little!) walking you do each day.

How can Health Exchange help me find out more about changing my lifestyle to improve my health?

Talk to Health Exchange. We operate a range of programmes designed to help people improve their health and wellbeing. We want everyone to have the capability and confidence to make their own choices for positive lifestyle changes that will improve their health and the way they feel about themselves.

We work with individuals, often on a one-to-one basis to help them achieve the goals they want to achieve. We also work with organisations of all types to help reach the people they represent, and help them set and achieve their lifestyle goals.

For more information, take a look at our website (www.healthexchange.org.uk), or call our FreePhone number: 0800 158 35 35.

These messages aren’t for ‘someone else’. Each of us has a responsibility, to ourselves and to those around us, to take control of our health and wellbeing, and understand the risks we might face and how to reduce them.

It’s never too early or too late to take your first step towards living a healthier lifestyle.

Patrick Kwesiga, our Mental Wellbeing lead, shares 5 top tips for improving your mental wellbeing to lead a happy healthy lifestyle

In 2008, New Economics Foundation (nef) was commissioned by the UK Government’s Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Well-being to review the inter-disciplinary work of over 400 scientists from across the world. The aim was to identify a set of evidence-based actions to improve well-being, which individuals would be encouraged to build into their daily lives. Five tips to improve every-day life wellbeing were identified. These tips have been acknowledged by National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU) and major mental health agencies across the country. Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead reviews the tips.

1. Connect… With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

2. Be active… Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. You could join one of our free, local health walks. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

3. Take notice… Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

4. Keep learning… Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.

5. Give … Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, as linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.

For more information visit http://www.neweconomics.org/projects/five-ways-well-being.

*Patrick Kwesiega has worked in Mental Health for the past 6 years. He is a qualified clinical counsellor, accredited facilitator and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psycotherapy. He also plays the African drummer.

Disclaimer: The information and tips in this blog should be read with the understanding that different individuals react differently to social, physical and emotional situations. What works for one may not necessarily work for another. It is always advisable to seek professional help when in doubt or mental health crisis.

We received this really touching letter from one of our Health Trainer graduates. We hope it inspires you with your goals.

My name is Janet Eaton – aged 63, presently weighing 11 stone 4 pounds. My blood pressure and my cholesterol is 4.2. This is not how it was 6 months ago. Sadly, I had been overweight for the last 30 years, yoyo-ing between 12 to 13 stones.

My weight had not really bothered me all those years – all my family were rather large – after all, we grew up with a 50’s diet of fry-ups and lard sandwiches! Then, tragedy changed my life. 3 sisters and 1 brother all died, each having circulatory problems, then heart attacks. I tried to assure myself it wouldn’t happen to me as I didn’t drink or smoke; they had their entire adult lives. Deep down, I feared a heart attack. It was constantly in my head.

A visit to my GP was to change everything for me. On my first day at my Health Trainer appointment, I was shown the BMI chart and could see I was almost obese on the guidelines. I was given a plan with a really good Health Trainer who explained so much to me. Each visit I learned a new tip or fact (Even at the age of 63!)

I found it was the actual frying process which wasnt good. I thought it was healthy as I only used virgin olive oil. Previously, I drank 9-10 cups of tea. A suggestion of cutting down or trying a naturally de-caff tea was a great idea. I drink rooibos tea now, I love the taste, nutty and satisfying. Exercise was a walk to the shops for me. Regular exercise and how good it was for your body and mind was explained to me – now it is a big part of my lifestyle – I even dance to a favourite CD at home.

All this good advice on healthy food, healthy ways of cooking and exercise has paid dividends – inches off my waist and hips. Today, I am a happier, content 63 year old lady – no longer at home fearing a heart attack.

Thank you, I am so grateful for my Health Trainer, Qudsia Bibi!

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