Building for Life - Health and Wellness at Habitat

While Habitat is famously a place to have an active, hands-on experience as a volunteer, many of our staff members spend their day supporting the construction sites and Outlet stores from behind desks. Our new Build for Life health and wellness program aims to create a healthy office culture that gets everyone moving more, eating better, and breathing deeper.

As part of the spring Build for Life challenge, the entire staff teamed up in groups of six, clipped on pedometers, and “raced” to Americus, GA, birthplace of Habitat for Humanity. The winning team racked up over 1,500 miles of walking, biking, and yoga in less than a month.  We are currently working on our "race" back to Denver.

Another favorite activity among Habitat staff members is the weekly yoga class held in the office lunch room. Organized by nonprofit Yoga for the People and led by coworker and certified yoga teacher, Margaret Bell, the weekly sessions are a way for everyone to unwind and focus during a busy week. Kristin, Habitat’s Family Selection Manager, says, “Our practice has been an amazing opportunity for us to come together as a staff to celebrate health, wellness, and each other. It has created a very supportive dynamic in which we can learn and play together in the middle of the work day.”

With workplace health and wellness a growing focus of corporations and non-profits alike, new research points to the many benefits of incorporating fitness into the workday. Our staff have already begun to feel the impact of the Build for Life program, from reduced stress to lost weight to new connections between departments.

We’d love to hear what other organizations are doing to encourage health and fitness.  Please comment here or on our Facebook page and tell us what you’re doing!