Move It to Music, NOVA! and the Move It Monday Campaign: Weekly Check-In

September 26, 2022 / HR News/Training

It’s that time… NOVA Walk Week has arrived  (Monday, September 26th thru Friday, September 30th). This week is dedicated to encouraging movement and engagement for students, faculty, and staff across all campuses. There is still time for you to sign up today to receive more information about Walk Week events on your campus. 

Action Items for NOVA Walk Week.

Join your colleagues:

  • Register your intent to participate.
  • Partner with your personal Push Pal to enhance your success.
  • Set a daily or weekly walking goal.
  • Encourage others (colleagues, students, family and or friends) to walk.
  • Join campus Walk Week activities.
  • Make sure you have the proper footwear and can exercise safely.
  • Help to build our NOVA Celebration Wall (faculty/ staff registrants will receive the link to access our Padlet). 
  • Look for messages of encouragement in the Daily Flyer throughout NOVA Walk Week.

2nd Annual NOVA Walk Week
MISSION: To enhance the lives of our college community by providing activities that promote wellness and fitness, social engagement, personal growth, and healthy lifestyles.
OBJECTIVE: To create and implement an annual activity that encourages movement and engagement amongst all campuses, while also helping build community.

GOALS:

  • Display unity across all campuses
  • To further help build community through activity
  • Encourage movement and engagement
  • Enhance collective engagement in healthful activities 

According to Street Sights, walking to a steady beat or music improves walking speed, stride length, walking rhythm, and symmetry. Stay safe when walking with headphones by considering what kind of music to play, and at what level of loudness. 

Image of Top 10 Songs About an Active Lifestyle (with a little creative license). Take a walk on the wild side thru your local park; Hit the Road Jack and relieve all the stress; These Boots are Made for Walking up a mountain; Running Down a Dream toward a healthier weight; Sittin ont he Dock of the Bay after a good swim; Life is a Highway and it's great for biking: Born to Run especially if it's a Monday; Walk this Way to a healthier lifestyle; I Get Around because I like to bike. Let's Do the Twist with some yoga. #moveitmonday, moveitmonday.org

Exercising to music has some big, scientifically-proven benefits:

  • Music can boost your mood and stamina during a workout, which could make your sweat session last longer.
  • Faster-paced music can increase your performance, whether that’s your pace, the number of repetitions you complete or the distance you travel.
  • Music can distract you from the physical activity, making you focus less on fatigue.

How to choose songs for your playlist:

  • Select songs that you enjoy – these will boost your levels of serotonin, putting you in a good mood.
  • Pick songs with a fast-paced, steady beat; you may naturally begin to synchronize your workout with the tempo, and exercise harder.
  • Add music that you have an emotional connection with: Not only will the song be inspiring, but it can also transport you to another.

Start your week strong by working out to music this Monday. A perfectly curated playlist can go a long way!

This week’s Monday tip is… Add music to your movement experiences. 

Move It Monday! Campaign: Weekly Check-Ins
Mindful awareness, accountability, goal setting and tracking progress are evidence-based techniques that enhance the success of a wellness plan. Each week, the Move It Monday! Campaign participants are invited to use the weekly check- Ins (Weekly Check In- Sept. 26) to help you:

  • Remain motivated;
  • Reflect on your progress;  
  • Consider how you will work with your Push Pal to get the most effective results from your wellness experiences; and
  • Recommit to your weekly goals.

Together we can turn intentions into actions.

Submitted by:
Dahlia Henry-Tett, HR-Chief Wellness Officer, dhtett@nvcc.edu