How do you define Health? What about Fitness or Wellness? To me there is a lot of overlap. For example, if I say I ran 3 miles today, would you say the run benefited my health, improved my state of fitness, or contributed to my overall well-being? I believe I did all three and sometimes it depends on the day! Some days, a good run is exactly what I need to clear my head. Other days gardening, my go-to stress buster, provides quite a physical workout! And yet other days, the best thing I can do to contribute to my physical health or fitness is to give my body a day of recovery by kicking back and reading or immersing myself in an art project. I believe by keeping my activities well rounded I am more fit, well, and healthy.
May is National Employee Health and Fitness month and the Recreation and Fitness Center has a HUGE variety of celebratory activities on tap. Speaking of on tap (I just can’t help myself), one of the events is a beer tasting. 
“Beer tasting and health and fitness, you ask?!” Think of it as an opportunity to learn, try something new, and a way to to socialize and relax with friends and co-workers, both of which contribute in some way or another to your overall health, fitness and/or wellness. Here's what Alzheimer's Prevention.org has to say about the importance of socialization and health:
"Lifestyle Choices - Socialization: Join the Crowd! Talking to others, getting out and about, sharing experiences—these types of social interactions can not only enrich our lives, they can also engage our brains. Socializing typically correlates to being part of a more stimulating environment and participating in more leisure, physical and mental activities. The relationship of leisure activities or social interactions to diminished risk for dementia suggests several mechanisms at work, including reduced stress and enhanced intellectual stimulation. These social ties may help protect the brain by building up a cognitive reserve to compensate for lost brain cells or connections." Read more.
We're encouraging employees to not only work up a sweat this May for National Employee Health and Fitness Month, but to also enjoy time with their coworkers as they splash around in the pool in a silly swim meet, socialize over breakfast after yoga, hone their camping skills in a Camping Clinic, and join their running buddies for lunch at our private Food Truck Rodeo.
No matter where you work - at home, in your community, or in corporate office - you too can observe National Employee Health and Fitness Month! Participate in your favorite sport, try a dance class, commune with nature, or pick up your paint brush. Try something new and you might not only find yourself having some fun, but also increasing your social support team as you deepen friendships and make new friends! Need some ideas to help you celebrate? Grab a friend and try this #NationalEmployeeHealthandFitnessMonth Workout of the Week: Take it Outside
