b'On the Ball at Timken At Timken, multicolored exercise balls are everywhere! And they arent there just to brighten up theenvironment. They are part of the furniture and a critical feature of a healthy office environment. Working at a desk all day can be tiring and can lead to back problems. So, in an effort to enhance theoffice ergonomics and provide employees with an opportunity to exercise and improve their overall health, the exercise balls arrived.Those who took advantage of the opportunity soon learned that sitting doesnt necessarily mean being sedentary. Using the ball as a chair can be an extremely beneficial physical activity. Because the ball isnt stable it forces your body to automatically align itself, which improves your posture and balance,increases your abdominal muscles, and increases blood circulation throughout the dayall while youre working at your desk!Along with the added physical health benefits, employees reported feeling more energetic at the end of the day. Several commented that it was fun being able to do something healthy for 15-20minutes without having to leave the office. While people werent expected to be on the ball all day long, they were aware that there was a wellness opportunity for them to do something healthy at any time they wanted.And Timken consciously builds that opportunity into its culture and environment so that itsemployees can enhance their health and well-being at any time.Timken employee onA shared responsibility in whichUnderstand the ball. patients and providers each mustyour numberscommunicate in ways that the other can understand.Helen Osborne Health Literacy from A-ZEngaging Our Community In Health1388222_CMC2.indd 15 2/1/10 12:26 PM'