Constructors walking the talk
As part of Mental Health Month, we are encouraging everyone to ‘Go The Extra K‘ challenge where entrants run or walk 9000 (9K) steps per day for 30 days for the nine Australians we lose through suicide every day.
Taking 9000 steps are equivalent to 7.2km, which is a good amount of walking for health benefits, with studies suggesting it’s close to the optimal number of steps to reduce mortality risk.
It’s 10 days down and teams around the Group have embraced the challenge with many taking breaks to walk around their office or taking the time to walk and talk outside.
At Olivine, the North Region team’s ‘Olivine Steppers’ has committed to walking 9000 steps each day, and should anyone who misses a day is fined a $1 which is put in a jar with the total donated to a mental health cause at the end of the month, “or potentially towards the mental health of the office in the form of a basketball hoop, either way it’ll be towards something positive”.
The teams are calculating their steps on a leaderboard which encourages some healthy competition.
“It is awesome to see everyone getting involved and walking for such a great cause,” said Project Manager Joseph Younan.
“With that being said, I want to take this opportunity to let everyone know, if you are going through something, you are not alone, and if you need help, the door is always open.
In the West Region, the Ravenhall Walking Club (above) are actively hitting the footpath around their office.
“We have a walking club that completes a ‘lap’ each day at lunchtime around our office block which contributes around 2000 steps to our daily goal,” said Senior Project Manager Samuel Zumbo.
“The tally board is being filled out each day with most guys participating and competition fierce.”
It’s never too late to start walking and reaping the benefits of exercising.
“Sometimes life gets in the way, and we are unable to complete what we set out to do. Your week or your day doesn’t pan out the way you initially envisioned it to,” Joseph said.
“To that we say, control the controllables, control the day don’t let the day control you. Everything until 2pm may have been shit, what will you do from 2pm onwards?
“It’s not about how you start; it’s about how you finish – it’s never too late.”
Email your team photos to cms@winslow.com.au