Mental Health Awareness Week 2024
This year’s theme is movement: moving more for our mental health.
Moving more is good for our mental health, so what's stopping us?
Regular physical activity is known to improve mental health, quality of life, and wellbeing. It also helps prevent and treat heart disease, stroke, diabetes, breast and colon cancer, and more. Despite these benefits being well established, over a third of UK adults do not meet the recommended amount of activity.
A new report from the Mental Health Foundation explores what’s stopping the UK population from being more active, and what could help get people moving more for their mental health.
Movement and Mental Health Report
Why movement?
One of the most important things we can do to help protect our mental health is regular movement.
Our bodies and our minds are connected, so looking after ourselves physically also helps us prevent problems with our mental health. Exercise releases “feel good” hormones, that reduce feelings of stress and anger. It also helps us feel better about our bodies. It can improve our sleep too. If it involves other people, like being part of a team, a class, or a group we see regularly, that can also boost our mental health.
Despite these benefits, so many of us struggle to move enough. We know there are many different reasons for this, so this Mental Health Awareness Week we want to support the Mental Health Alliance to help people find moments for movement in their daily routines.
Tips to get moving for mental health:
- Be kind to yourself, moving more is self-care
- Find moments for movement every day
- Set small, achievable goals
- Take a break from sitting
- Find the fun
- Connect with others
- Movement looks different for everyone, don’t compare yourself to others
- Be mindful about your movement
- Move in nature
- Try something new
- Plan things to look forward to
- Listen to music that gets you moving
- Don't forget to rest
- Celebrate your achievements
Find moments for movement advice
Active Halton
If you are interested in joining a group or class in Widnes and Runcorn Active Halton has many sessions available, including health walks, Pilates, walking football, crown green bowls, and more. Active Halton brings together a wide range of sports and physical activities for all ages and abilities.
0151 511 8282
sports.development@halton.gov.uk / Paula.Parle@halton.gov.uk
NHS Exercise
Find benefits, guidelines, strength, flexibility, aerobic exercise, and more from the NHS.
Go Green for Mental Health
Thursday 16th May is go green day when the Mental Health Foundation encourages us to turn the world green for good mental health! If you can’t take part on this day, don’t worry, you can hold your Wear it Green Day at any time of the year.
