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Chamber Plans Inaugural Fort Smith Wellness WeekSep 28, 2012 (Times Record - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Some Fort Smith businesses, organizations, schools and families are being asked to exercise more, eat better and generally take better care of themselves next week, as the city observes its first-ever Wellness Week. A project of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce's Health Care Division, the week has been designated as an appropriate time to emphasize the benefits of wellness,particularly wellness in the workplace. Mayor Sandy Sanders has designated Oct. 1-7 as Fort Smith Wellness Week. Whitney Yoder with the chamber said a number of participants are exercising creativity in delivering the message of how important it is to maintain healthy practices and habits. She said chamber staff members plan their own observances. Employees will be given pedometers on Monday morning and invited to compete for the most steps walked. On Thursday, a flu vaccination clinic will be offered from 8:30-10:30 a.m. with the public invited to join chamber employees in receiving the shots. On another day, employees will be encouraged to use their breaks for brisk downtown walks. An activity emphasizing nutrition will also be held. Wellness Week organizers have suggested a theme for each day of the week; Monday has been designated "wellness works" day, with emphasis on making wellness in the workplace a priority and encouraging employee participation with incentives. On Tuesday the focus will be nutrition, Wednesday fitness, Thursday check-ups and vaccines, and Friday stress reduction. The themes continue through the weekend, with Saturday set aside for a focus on family fitness and Sunday emphasizing spiritual wellness. Yoder said the idea of Wellness Week is to demonstrate the importance of maintaining a healthy environment, regardless of the size or resources of a company. "Some of our smaller businesses can't sponsor clinics and such, but they can easily promote activities to encourage employees to take care of themselves," she said. Wellness is being emphasized in response to current conditions which show in Fort Smith 30 percent of adults and 20 percent of preschool children are obese. The goal of the week is to encourage prevention of disease and support improved health care as a means to combat obesity-related conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death. Yoder said she has been fielding calls from groups alerting her to plans for observances of the week. "A lot of them are planning to take pictures, and want to know where they can post them," Yoder said, adding organizers are "trying to create a buzz" for the event, which is in its first year. She said images can be posted on Facebook, tagging the "Fort Smith Regional Chamber" page, or on Twitter, with the hashtag #FSWellnessWeek. A Sparks Health System news release states the hospital will host a Sparks Wellness Fair on Monday; the fair will offer free blood-sugar, blood-pressure and cholesterol checks and flu shots for Sparks employees. Fort Smith Wellness Week also coincides with the end of the nomination period for the chamber's "Healthy Workplace" awards. Winners will be selected from businesses and industries nominated to recognize their commitment to health and wellness. Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. Monday. An award for "Healthy Workplace 2012" will be given depending on business size. Additional awards may be given depending on the number of applicants. Winners will be announced and recognized at an annual Chamber event in early 2013. Yoder said any group or organization desiring more information on Wellness Week or other chamber activities can contact her at the chamber at (479) 783-3111 or [email protected]. ___ (c)2012 Times Record (Fort Smith, Ark.) Visit Times Record (Fort Smith, Ark.) at www.swtimes.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |