The Healthy Holiday Nudge is based on something called “Nudge Theory” which states that giving people a gentle push in the right direction can help them to make positive changes to their behaviour, their choices and their quality of life.
Are you up to the challenge of doing one Nudge a Day? The following are some examples of “Holiday Exercise Nudges” that you can use to help others be more physically active:
- At home or at work, invite others for an outdoor walk.
- Take your family for a walk to see your neighbourhood’s festive decorations Invite your colleagues for a walking meeting either in person or virtually.
- For a virtual walk meeting, did you know that TEAMS has a function that joins audio with a phone enabling one to move more freely?
- Active transportation.
- Park farther away from the entrance of shopping malls or, if you can, cycle or walk to the store or park farther away from the entrance.
- Put up a poster encouraging people to take the stairs and maybe even footprints on the floor leading to the stairwell.
- Nudge others by sharing your experience.
- Share what you do on social media or in conversations with others, letting them know why you do it, and invite them to nudge others.
- Send an email sharing your plan for physical activity and active living with your colleagues and invite them to nudge others.
Watching you being physically active is a powerful motivator for others to do more. Here are other examples of activities that you can organize and nudge others to participate in:
- Organize a fun outdoor physical activity at least once a week during the holiday season.
- Put up a poster listing the benefits of exercise at your local hockey rink or in the break room.
- Use social media to send motivational quotes to family, friends and coworkers.
Health Promotion has an exciting program starting 17 January, 2023 to guide you through your health goals in the new year! Bring a friend and start the new year off right!
For more tips and information check out the Strengthening the Forces Holiday Newsletter
By: Shannon Orr, Health Promotion Specialist
