When you visit Ringgold County Hospital and Mount Ayr Medical Clinic, be on the lookout for signs that mark routes and distances for walking. This is part of a community wellness initiative that promotes healthy eating, physical activity and awareness of your numbers for blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, etc.
A recent visit to the health care complex revealed signs telling how many feet it is to specified locations along with the number of laps needed to be the equivalent of a mile. The hospital administration and wellness committee members, Linda Winkler and Jennifer England, are encouraging the public to join the staff for a walk in the hallways. “No matter how little time you have, there is a climate controlled route waiting for you,” stated Winkler.
Hospital Physical Therapy Assistant Jill Ehlen said, “There are different hallways a person can use, depending on the amount of time they have to walk or the distance they are trying to cover.” The middle hallway is a 1/20 mile lap, and it is 1/6 mile if you walk the lap of the south hall and continue to the cafeteria and back. Ehlen continued, “This is a great way for anyone to get exercise. It is out of the weather on a flat surface.”
Ringgold County Public Health (RCPH) is teaming with the Hospital and Clinic to develop and promote worksite wellness at the medical facility. Multiple wellness activities for the staff are being developed through this collaboration.
