Walking for wellbeing

The 67 participants had an average of 364,270 steps over the six-week period of the Australasian University Health Challenge (AUHC).

The health-focused initiative, which started in September and attracted the participation of 17 universities, encouraged staff and students to make behavioural changes to increase their daily levels of physical activity by taking 10,000 steps a day.  

The challenge was promoted by the Lincoln University Wellbeing team, using the health models of the 5 ways of wellbeing and Te Whare Tapa Wha.

The challenge had its own site on the university's social platform, Raftr, and giveaways encouraged participants to post and connect with each other.

Even though the event began during a nationwide lockdown, the Lincoln team were enthusiastic about taking part. They kept up their steps throughout the challenge period, sharing their walk routes around campus and over hills and paddocks. Their efforts were also highlighted in the media.