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- The Wellness Wire: Issue 3
The Wellness Wire: Issue 3
Just move
strove .ai
October 15, 2024 • Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Mitochondria: are yours healthy?
🛋️ Why “healthy sedentary” is a myth
Can you really be healthy if you don’t move enough? New research says no.
Even if you don’t feel sick, being inactive takes a toll on your body at a cellular level. A recent study shows that sedentary individuals have mitochondria—your body’s energy generators—that perform 36% worse than those in active people. Plus, their fat-burning ability is down by 35%. These hidden issues may not cause symptoms now, but they can increase the risk for serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Inactivity is more harmful than we once thought, and regular exercise is the only way to maintain both your outward health and the health of your cells. Keep moving—it’s essential for long-term wellbeing!
📑 From the research desk
👟Weekend warriors win: A new study shows that cramming exercise into one or two days a week is just as effective at reducing the risk of over 200 diseases as spreading workouts throughout the week.
🪑Sit less, hurt less: Cut 40 minutes of sitting each day to prevent back pain, according to new research.
♟️ Keep your brain active: Texas A&M research shows that games and reading help slow cognitive decline in older adults, improving memory and protecting against dementia.
📰 News
Strove was at the HR Indaba 2024: As always, workplace wellness was a hot topic, but Jorge Mendes (Cell C) gave the keynote on driving performance through culture transformation. One surefire way is through promoting a culture of health.
Climate warning gets serious: Dire predictions about global warming are more plausible than we thought. New models suggest that our current efforts to reduce emissions may not be enough to prevent catastrophic changes. Urgent action is needed. 🤯
Our Library just got a makeover! Find everything you need—meditations, workouts, and articles—all in one place, and start focusing on your wellbeing without the hassle of searching.
📊 Trends to watch
Hyrox: This hybrid fitness competition blends endurance running with functional exercises like sled pushes and lunges. Growing in popularity, it's attracting athletes who want to test both strength and stamina in a single event.
Zone 2 training: Low-intensity training at 60-70% of max heart rate, is gaining traction for improving mitochondrial health. It enhances fat oxidation and boosts endurance, making it a key focus for athletes and health-conscious exercisers.
Zone 2 training helps you build endurance, but don’t forget to mix in high-intensity workouts. Both are key for longevity—balance is everything!
📚 Content roundup
Find these and more in the Strove app Library.
🚶 12-minute walking meditation
Experience a calming, 12-minute walking meditation that combines mindfulness with movement. Perfect for a mental reset during the day, this practice helps clear your mind and relax your body.
💸 Why your employer pays you to exercise
Discover why companies invest in workplace exercise. Learn how promoting physical activity boosts morale, strengthens team bonds, reduces stress, and enhances productivity.
💪 15-minute low-impact workout with Courtney
Join Courtney for a quick, joint-friendly strength workout that’s perfect for fitting into a busy day. This low-impact session helps you get stronger without stressing your body.
💡 Quick tip of the month
In a collaboration nobody expected, Asics and Brian Cox teamed up to remind us that our desks are trying to kill us.
Here’s a 15-minute routine to beat desk fatigue:
4 minutes: Stretching
Neck stretch, chest opener, hamstring stretch, and static lunge—30 seconds per side.
4 minutes: Light cardio
Brisk walk, march in place, or jumping jacks.
4 minutes: Bodyweight moves
3 sets of 10 squats, 10 wall push-ups, and 15 calf raises.
3 minutes: Core & cool down
2 x 30 seconds each of seated leg lifts, torso twists, followed by deep breathing.
Desk: defeated!
🧑🤝🧑 Community corner
🥳 Congrats to Adrian Tiplady, a Profmed member, for winning Strove's 75,000 Points campaign! We hope you’ll spend them on planting trees 🌳🌳🌳
It’s always great to hear how Strove is transforming teams. Power Digital told us that...
''We recently started using the Strove app, and we have already seen an improvement in our team's wellbeing and connection. The fun challenges not only promote healthy habits but also foster team bonding in our remote and hybrid work environment. Strove has helped to enhance our company culture, bringing everyone closer together while prioritising our wellness!"
- Sam Schroeter, Culture Manager, Power Digital
🏆 Go Riley, go…
🏄 Join the Strove movement!
Share how you or your organisation are embracing the power of healthy habits, and you could feature in our next issue.
Not on Strove yet? Explore how our platform can help you create a healthier, happier workplace.
Know a company that could benefit from a Strove makeover? We’ll reward you for a successful referral.