May is Employee Health & Fitness Month, a month-long initiative launched by the National Association for Health & Fitness that promotes the powerful benefits of workplace health and wellness. 

Did you know that regular physical activity increases your chances of living a longer, healthier life? It also reduces your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and some types of cancer. Nearly 60% of the adults in the U.S. do not get the recommended amount of physical activity, and approximately $117 billion in healthcare costs are associated with inadequate physical activity. 

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults:

• Aim for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. This includes things like walking fast, dancing, swimming, and raking leaves.
• Do muscle-strengthening activities–like lifting weights or using exercise bands–at least 2 days a week.

Physical activity is good for everyone's health. No matter what shape you are in, you can find activities that work for you. As providers of workplace wellness programs, employers have a tremendous opportunity to help their employees see the value of adopting healthier behaviors so they can live healthier lives. 

Together, we can rise to the challenge and get more active during the month of May!