Doctors and nurses representing 20 practices across Greater Christchurch are taking on a unique workplace challenge to highlight the value of being active to health and wellbeing.

According to Sport Canterbury Physical Activity Manager Dave Jeffrey, the response to this year’s eight week “Spring Into Summer Challenge” has exceeded all expectations.

“We know that health professionals are busy people facing significant demands in their daily life,” Jeffrey says. “They encourage their patients to see a link between physical activity and overall wellness.

“By taking part in this workplace wellness challenge, they can ‘walk the talk’ and show their patients they take this connection seriously.”

Leanne Drayton is the Nurse Manager at Barrington Medical Centre, where staff have embraced the change to start summer with a challenge. She says the challenge has particularly helped to raise awareness within their team of the value of healthy eating, to complement regular exercise.

"The Challenge has created a good positive attitude within our work environment, and has made people take notice and ownership of creating a healthy lifestyle. It's been good motivation to do things as a team and help to support and encourage each other to change those bad habits!"

Research indicates that regular physical activity, from 30 minutes a day, benefits the mood for up to 12 hours. Physical activity improves self-esteem, coping skills and confidence. In the long term, it can be just as effective as medication for addressing mental health issues.

Jeffrey has praise for all of the practices who have recognised the short and long term benefits of getting more active as a team. "It has been fantastic to see 20 different medical practices across Greater Christchurch get on board and make a tremendous effort with each week's challenge."

How the Challenge Works

For the eight week period commencing  16th October, each Monday Sport Canterbury's Physical Activity team announces a different "challenge." Challenges may relate to physical activity, nutrition, alcohol consumption and active transport.

Doctors, nurses and health practitioners have embraced the spirit of the challenge, finding creative ways to engage their staff.

"The team at St Albans Medical Centre arranged a Zumba instructor to deliver private sessions on site. On Lincoln Road, Village Health has organised weekly 30-minute exercise circuits, making it easy for staff to participate," says Jeffrey.

Each week, the participating workplace earns points based on the challenge they undertake. The points are then averaged, depending upon the number of participants from each practice, to ensure that all practices (of all sizes) have an equal playing field. A running leader board is updated each week with the previous week's scores. Every fortnight, bonus challenges encourage additional involvement, and a small prize is awarded to the leading organisation. After Week Four, Doctors on Riccarton are currently in the lead with a staggering 86 points.

"Thank you to everyone who has taken part and made the 'Spring Into Summer Challenge' so successful in its first year," says Jeffrey. "We hope this Challenge could become an annual tradition."