This October 10th, we Take a moment to honour WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY. How? by considering walking as a form of self care. A SHORT WALK IS ONE OF THE MOST SIMPLE, YET EFFECTIVE DAILY HABITS TO BOOST YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.
The Mental Health Foundation describes mental health as: 'Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being.'
From talking to friends to practicing yoga, there are many ways to take care of your mental health. Giving both your brain and body regular breaks is essential when you're looking to reset and refocus. Mini-breaks throughout the day help you feel more in tune with the world around you and less likely to feel overwhelmed when something outside of your control happens.
The initiative
With that in mind, our Belgian colleagues launched 'STEPtember', a fun and engaging fitness challenge to get everyone moving. All participants were asked to aim for 5,000 steps a day throughout the month of September. To get the heart rates going, our Belgian colleagues were encouraged to take 10,000 steps at least 5 times during the month. Anything that got them moving was welcome, whether it's walking, running, dancing,...
Did you know walking increases the blood flow to the brain and improves your mood? Even just a stroll after lunch can do wonders for your physical & mental health.
Why we all should join
Walking gives us the best of both worlds. Next to getting the physical benefits of exercise, you also take care of your emotional well-being. According to the Mental Health Foundation, even 10 minutes of brisk walking increases our mental alertness, energy and positive mood.
Life becomes less stressful when you feel connected with the world around you. When you're walking, take a moment to reflect on what you are grateful for: the birds singing, your child’s good report card, a great cup of coffee, or anything at all that brings you joy. Focusing on the good things in life helps you increase your productivity, decreases your stress levels, and boosts happiness.
Walking is one of the most simple, yet effective healthy habits to implement in your daily life. You don't need anything except your own two feet, and if you're lucky: you get to stroll in a green environment. Because that's when the mental pay-off gets even bigger: as being in nature boosts your endorphin levels: reducing stress & anxiety. Already putting on your shoes? So are we! Let's enjoy our World Mental Health Day walk together.
