The Moving for Mental Health challenge is encouraging participants to walk 3,000 steps daily throughout May as an example of how just a little physical activity can promote emotional health. This effort, hosted by AltaPointe Health for Mental Health Awareness Month, emphasizes the importance of making activity accessible: for the vast majority of people, 3,000 steps is essentially 20–30 min of walking, a goal that seems much more manageable than intense fitness expectations. Moving for Mental Health emphasizes that gentle, frequent movement helps manage mood, ease stress, and promote a feeling of achievement.
AltaPointe clinicians who launched the challenge say there‘s plenty of scientific evidence that “Moving for Mental Health” is effective. Walking, stretching or performing a light workout “triggers the body‘s own natural stress-reduction mechanisms, enhances sleep, and takes your mind off what you‘re obsessing about.” Since the campaign was connected with Mental Health Awareness Month, organizers believed there would be fewer negative weight-related connotations.
The 3,000step Moving for Mental Health challenge is designed to be adaptable. Walk the dog, stairs at work, a lap around the block at lunch, are just a few ways to break up the day. Participating individuals are also encouraged to take part in community walks or group gatherings. While reporting their steps on social media or in a local newsletter they recognize that they are taking a healthy activity from being solely their own activity to one shared with many.
Most importantly, AltaPointe stresses that Moving for Mental Health is not a replacement for the behavioral health assistance one might need. Those feeling deeply depressive, hopeless, or having suicidal ideation are encouraged to pursue clinical intervention and use their movement as part of a much greater strategy. If it‘s the only thing one can do that day, AltaPointe will embrace it, avoiding any “toxic positivity”.
For anyone daunted by the prospect of making life-changing new year resolutions, the Moving for Mental Health challenge might be a more gentle way to get involved. Making the commitment to walk 3,000 steps a day during the month of May, is an opportunity to explore the way movement impacts on mood, energy levels and sleep, without added stress or any expectations of perfection. As many of us are made to sit in front of a screen for long hours during the day, those additional steps could be a lovely gift to mind and body.
Source: AltaPointe Health Launches “Moving for Mental Health” to Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month
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