Erin Howie

Erin Howie

Assistant Professor
(EDUC)-Education
(HHPR)-Health, Human Performance, & Recreation

Samantha Robinson

Teaching Assistant Professor
(ARSC)-Arts & Sciences
(MASC)-Mathematical Sciences

 

Dr. Erin Howie and Dr. Samantha Robinson gave a presentation on March 24th, 2021 at a TFSC event called “Somebody to Lean On: Accountability in Faculty Fitness.” The two met through Teaching Camp and have since collaborated in supporting a student’s honors thesis that looked at the benefits of physical activity for mental health. Studies have shown that physical activity has positive impacts on mental, physical, and immune health! So now is a very important time to be active.

They talked about how we all have different levels of fitness, but that the vast majority of people have seen a marked decrease in their activity levels since the start of the pandemic.   They asked the participants to think about the number of steps that they had to take to get to their office before they began working at home in comparison to the number that they now have to travel.

Find a Workout Buddy

Your chances of sticking to a workout routine are increased when you have accountability from a buddy who is on the journey with you.  Drs. Robinson and Howie want to help you find a buddy or just have someone who can check in with you every now and then to see how things are going. If you’re a faculty member who is interested in getting matched up with a buddy or just have questions and need help you can fill out this survey and they will reach out to you.

Suggestions for Staying Active

  • Visit the HPER – They have great protocols for keeping you safe.  Masks are required and all equipment is sterilized between each use.
  • Walk in place when you can’t get out!
  • Do squats during zoom meetings.
  • Take a walking break in the middle of the day.
  • Turn your meetings into walking meetings when possible.
  • Take an online zoom class from UREC.

This content was developed from a presentation by Drs. Howie and Robinson which was sponsored by The Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center (TFSC) at the University of Arkansas.

For more information on this topic, the presentation can be downloaded and viewed as a PDF: Somebody to Lean On.

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