Steps For Charity, Week 7

No Step for a Stepper – You got this Powder River County!

Our country, our community has come together to fight this pandemic. Social Distancing is what we can do and have done to help fight and slow the transmission of this disease. Keep Stepping!

Team Joe with members Spencer and Joe Fortner, James Cottle, and Robin Reames are walking for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. St. Jude's has helped improve the survival rate of childhood cancer. They are a world leader in developing new, improved treatments for children with cancer. No family receives a bill for their care at St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) seeks to change the lives of children facing adversity. This is why Team Bill decided to step for this charity. Members include: Bill Sauers, Jeff Engels, Thomas DeSoto, and Frank Danielson. Located in both urban and rural communities, BBBS' mentors work with children in communities, schools, and military bases. BBBS creates and supports matches between children and caring adults, to put children on a pathway to lifelong success.

Both teams are sponsored by 5 Star Roustabout.

Managing the Uncertainty of the COVID-19 Outbreak through Walking

From Americawalks.org

Managing the uncertainty of the COVID-19 outbreak requires intentional effort and planning. Society looks dramatically different from just a week ago and is unlike anything we have experienced before. The constant media reporting, shifting circumstances, statewide school and business closures, economic insecurity, and the questions of it all can negatively impact our mental and emotional health.

Make a plan for mental and emotional self-care. WALKING and MOVING OUTSIDE is a winning strategy for maintaining health for you and your family.

WALKING allows us to get out of our homes while adhering to current public health recommendations for social distancing defined by the CDC as "remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding gatherings, and maintaining a distance of approximately 6 feet from others."

Walking and other types of physical activity provide a healthy release of endorphins- feel-good hormones that can help reduce depression and anxiety. It also helps to keep our bones, lungs, and heart healthy, helps to manage chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, and boosts our immune system.

• Want to take your walk to the next level? There are many digital resources in offering suggestions for how to mix things up. Consider a Scavenger Hunt with the kids.

• Walk to run an errand or get necessities as allowed by the current guidelines.

• Schedule a daily walk into your work-from-home agenda. A work from home practice could be to plug in your headphones and turn a conference call into a walking meeting.

• Be inspired by the Girltrek Movement with over a half a million black women and girls around the country by lacing up your sneakers and taking a "solo-trek."

No matter how you incorporate walking into your life during these difficult times, walking can help. Check-in with yourself, your family, and your neighbors and take good care to maintain your health.

Additional resources for self-care and walking during the COVID-19 outbreak:

1. CDC Tips for Maintaining Managing Stress and Coping during COVID-19 Outbreak

2. YouTube is a great source for Indoor Walking Workouts.

3. What to expect and how to cope with social distancing from the American Psychological Association

4. Parent and Caregiver guide to coping with COVID-19

5. Taking Care of your Behavioral Health and Tips for Social Distancing from SAMSHA

Now might be a good time to check out the Fit Trail north of Broadus, behind the B-Hill, while continuing social distancing guidelines. With the gym and schools closed, the Fit Trail has physical activity stations designed to increase your fitness level.

Happy, Healthy Walking... Steps for Charity runs through March 31st!