This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme for 2024, as decided by the Mental Health Foundation, is ‘Movement: Moving More for Our Mental Health’. This theme highlights the importance of movement in our daily lives and the impact it has on our mental wellbeing.
Taking place from the 13th – 19th of May, this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is all about understanding and raising awareness of the effects physical activity can have on mental health.
This doesn’t mean signing up for a marathon (unless that is your goal!). It’s more about the benefits of the simpler forms of exercise – just going on a walk with a friend or finally starting that exercise class you’ve been putting off. There are so many ways to be active, and it’s about finding something that works for you.
Why Movement Matters
63% of the population meet the Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines of doing 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity a week.
It’s important to understand and share the benefits of movement on our mental wellbeing and improve mental health awareness across the UK.
It’s no secret that moving about is good for the body, but the impact on mind is positive too. Research consistently shows that movement can elevate mood, decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, and boost overall mental health. This can range from an increase in endorphins, which improves mood and energy levels, to the development of new brain cells and neural connections – crucial for cognitive function.
What Impact Does Physical Activity Have on Mental Wellbeing?
Physical activity has huge potential to improve our wellbeing in so many ways. Even short bursts of activity, such as a 10-minute brisk walk, can significantly increase mental alertness, energy, and positive mood.
Participating in regular physical activity can significantly enhance mental wellbeing by reducing stress and anxiety levels, and symptoms of depression. It also boosts self-esteem and improves sleep patterns, which are crucial for your mental health.
Stress, Anxiety, Depression: Physical exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, commonly known as ‘feel-good’ hormones. These hormones naturally elevate mood and create feelings of happiness, helping to mitigate the effects of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Self-Esteem: Regular physical activity can also enhance self-esteem. Achieving fitness goals, whether small or large, builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment. As physical appearance and capabilities improve, so does the overall perception of self-worth.
Sleep: The benefits of exercise extend into the night as well. Engaging in regular physical activity helps to deepen sleep, making it more restful and easier to fall asleep. Quality sleep is vital as it helps to repair the body and regulate mood, contributing significantly to mental health.
Engaging in exercise doesn’t have to mean going to the gym or running – any form of movement that increases your heart rate can be beneficial. This includes dancing in your kitchen, yoga, gardening, or even cleaning the house. The key is to find an activity you enjoy, so it becomes a part of your routine and not another chore.
During this Mental Health Awareness week, it’s important to recognise and remember that by taking care of our bodies, we are also helping our minds.
How to Start Moving When You Don’t Know Where to Begin?
This Mental Health Awareness Week, we want to highlight easy and accessible ways to incorporate more movement into your daily life. Whether it’s stretching in the morning, taking a walk during lunch, or participating in an exercise class after work, there are lots of ways to stay active.
Think about your preferences – Do you enjoy being outdoors or indoors? Would you prefer group activities or solo exercises? If traditional sports or gym workouts don’t appeal to you, consider less conventional options like walking, doing household jobs, or gardening. These activities also provide significant health benefits and can be more enjoyable if they align with your interests.
Overcoming barriers – Identifying and addressing common obstacles to exercise is crucial. This might include time constraints, lack of motivation, or feeling self-conscious. Finding solutions, such as scheduling workouts as you would any important appointment or choosing low-impact exercises if you’re concerned about physical strain, can make a big difference.
Right for you – Choose activities that fit your lifestyle and physical capabilities. The best form of exercise is one that is sustainable and enjoyable, reducing the likelihood of burnout.
Make it part of daily life – Incorporate small changes to make movement a natural part of your day. For example, take the stairs instead of the lift, park further from the shop entrance, or take short walking breaks during the day.
Set goals – Setting realistic and measurable goals can help maintain your motivation. Whether it’s increasing the time spent walking each day, adding more steps, or setting a target to join a weekly workout class, goals give you something to work towards.
At home – There are many exercises you can do at home without any special equipment. Try online workout videos, dancing to music, or even playing active games with family.
At work – If you have a desk job, try standing or stretching at regular intervals, using a standing desk, or holding walking meetings. These small changes can significantly increase your daily physical activity levels.
Starting to move is about choosing to add more activity into your routine in ways that make sense for you. This Mental Health Awareness Week, take the first step towards a more active lifestyle to support both your physical and mental health.
The Important Role Businesses Play in Mental Health Awareness Week
At 848 we’re encouraging our employees to find their moments for movement during Mental Health Awareness Week. Whether that’s a walk to break up their busy days, or putting on some music and dancing in their kitchens. It all counts!
We have a lot of employees in the business who are extremely active and vouch for the endless benefits that moving and exercise have on mental health and wellbeing.
Above all, at 848, we aim to create an inclusive and open culture where talking about mental health is encouraged. We have enabled a number of staff to become qualified mental health first aiders. Our mental health first aiders will provide peer support to those who need it within the business.
Further Ideas for Starting or Keeping Up with Moving
- The NHS Choices website has several tools to help you get started with different ways to move your body, including exercises for older people, strength and flexibility videos, advice on taking up new sports, and guidance on getting started with walking.
- The Great Outdoor Gym Company provide gym equipment in outside spaces for people to use for free. You can find your nearest one via their website.
- The British Heart Foundation’s ‘Health at Work’ website gives more suggestions and further resources to get started with encouraging and promoting physical activity at work.