Illustration by Laura Baker
This story was originally published in the Jan. 26 issue of Fourth Estate.
Written by Tatyanna White-Jenkins
Too often workers find themselves stuck behind their desks for hours upon hours without any physical activity. Mason is implementing an event to encourage their faculty and staff to get more exercise, eat healthier and build community with other staff members.
Hike to Ike’s will encourage Mason faculty and staff to walk to Ike’s for a discounted healthy lunch on Friday, January 30 from 11am to 2pm.
Staff members will receive a discounted rate of $8.00 for an all-you-care-to-eat healthy lunch at Ike’s.
“It’s just for faculty and staff to get a healthy walk, a good nutritious lunch, get a discount and hangout with other faculty and staff,” Wendi Carroll, Life Work Connections specialist, said “We are always trying to do small things on campus to get people out so that people aren’t chained to their desks. The new thing is sitting at your desk is the new smoking. People aren’t getting out there and moving. They are at their desk, they aren’t as happy and they aren’t getting any exercise.”
Slated to take place at the end of the January, Hike to Ike’s will allow for Mason staff members to continue, or revive, their goals for the New Year.
“We did it because at the beginning of the month, people are excited about their New Year’s resolutions,” Carroll said. “Then towards the end of the month some of those resolutions go by the wayside so this would be a nice way for folks to revive those resolutions and kind of keep it in the forefront!”
Promoting good health and well-being in its staff is a major priority for Mason. Staff members are encouraged to take all aspects of their health seriously.
“We do a lot to try to spread wellness and well-being to faculty and staff, like financial well-being and physical well-being. And we are always trying to encourage people to take advantage of the different perks they have for working at Mason,” Carroll said.
Hike to Ike’s as well as National Compliment Day and Go Red Day are events Mason encourages staff to participate in in order to gain awareness and to better their health and well-being.
