‘Use the stairs’: UK HR Health and Wellness program says small steps can make a big difference
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 3, 2025) — The Health and Wellness program within University of Kentucky Human Resources has launched a new campaign to encourage people to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Jody Ensman, HR’s well-being manager, said “Use the Stairs” is part of a larger effort to remind employees that moving our bodies is good for us.
“We are on a quest to encourage people to ‘move more,’ whether that means taking the stairs or standing rather than sitting at your workstation,” Ensman said. “Our program has a lot of resources to help address the need to move more.”
You may see new stickers or clings on stair steps in the Kentucky Clinic with phrases that highlight the benefits of relying on personal instead of electrical power to get you from one floor to another. New signs have been posted near elevators to serve as a gentle reminder.
Ensman said following the advice to “Use the Stairs” is easy and can provide many benefits to those who are physically capable. It doesn’t involve any financial costs or a commitment to a specific workout routine.
People can start low and slow if they want to and take a day off if they need to. The benefits are cumulative, and every flight of stairs you encounter can be a simple, low-stress opportunity to improve your overall well- being.
“Of course, regular stair use can help employees improve cardiovascular health and muscular endurance,” said Carrie Davidson, Ed.D., manager of MoveWell Fitness within Health and Wellness. “But the mental and emotional benefits rank right up there with them in importance.”
Here are some of the other outcomes you might enjoy if you build a habit of hoofing it:
- Enhanced mood: Physical activity, including stair climbing, triggers the release of endorphins in the brain, which promote feelings of happiness and reduce stress.
- More energy: Brief bursts of stair climbing can increase your energy as you feel more awake and alert.
- Better cognitive function: Studies have shown that short bouts of stair climbing can enhance cognitive performance by providing mental clarity and allowing faster responses from your brain.
- Reduced stress: Climbing a few flights can be a quick and accessible way for employees to take mental breaks throughout the day, which can help stave off feelings of pressure, burnout and overwhelm.
UK HR’s Health and Wellness expertise ranges from nutrition to the science of happiness and well-being. To learn more about Health and Wellness, visit the UK HR website.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.