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The sign-up period for this initiative has ended.
Energizing the mind and body through motion.
Prolonged sitting is bad for our physical and mental health. A 2023 study showed that taking movement breaks of just 5 minutes throughout the workday can lead to huge improvements for our health. Give it a try with the Simmons Department of Public Health Body Electric initiative.
The Simmons Department of Public Health Body Electric✨ Initiative
The Simmons Department of Public Health Body Electric✨ Initiative
We sit a lot. Whether we're doing our day-in/day-out work or if we're in the zone finishing a paper or project, we're likely sitting in front of the computer. Being sedentary increases risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and dementia, as well as death from any cause. But moving for short periods of at least 5 minutes (movement snacks!) throughout the day can be a simple, preventative measure we can take to improve our physical and mental health!
The Simmons Body Electric ✨ Initiative is organized by the Department of Public Health.
What the research says
What the research says
Whether you exercise or not, being sedentary for long periods of time is bad for health. A large study of adults in the US, published in a 2017 Annals of Internal Medicine article (167(7), 465-475), showed that if a person sits for more than 12-13 hours a day they are more than twice as likely to die early, compared to people who sat the least. Moving for periods of 5-minutes every 30 minutes or every hour can improve cardiovascular health as well as mood, fatigue, and cognitive functioning.
“What we know now is that for optimal health, you need to move regularly at work, in addition to a daily exercise routine. While that may sound impractical, our findings show that even small amounts of walking spread through the work day can significantly lower your risk of heart disease and other chronic illnesses.”
Keith Diaz, Columbia University
NPR-Columbia Study
NPR-Columbia Study
In the Body Electric podcast, Manoush Zomorodi reported on the impact technology has had on our bodies and health. We are more sedentary than ever because we're in front of our computers all day.
Zomorodi teamed up with Dr. Keith Diaz and his team at Columbia University to see if listeners would benefit from adding movement throughout their workday for two weeks. Over 20,000 people signed up and 60% stuck with it!
Results
People who moved every half-hour improved their fatigue levels by about 30%; those who moved every hour improved their fatigue levels by about 25%; those who moved every two hours improved their fatigue levels by about 20%
Everybody saw improvements in their positive emotions and saw decreases in their negative emotions
The group that took the most breaks, every half-hour, had the greatest response
Join the initiative!
Join the initiative!
This wellness initiative will last for 2 weeks. You'll be asked to take an initial survey about your activity, a daily survey to record your movement, and a final survey.
If you'd like to join the Simmons Department of Public Health Body Electric wellness initiative here's what to do:
Read more information about the initiative
Complete an initial and final survey
Complete a daily survey about your activity breaks and how you feel
*Simmons University does not endorse or recommend this program. Participation is voluntary.
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