As a health and fitness company, we talk a lot about equipment at Core. We build innovative, solution-driven programs and products to create unique fitness experiences. Our goal in this is to be a champion for the betterment of overall health. We know fitness is an important system that leads to better physical and mental health.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the theme for 2023 is “More Than Enough”. By raising mental health awareness, we can be part of the solution toward total wellness. Our future is dependent on creating safe and supportive communities that can offer resources to those in need. We desire to support individuals in recognizing that they are more than enough. Each person is valuable and worthy of respect, dignity, and accessibility.
mental health
a state of mind characterized by emotional well-being, good behavioral adjustment, relative freedom from anxiety and disabling symptoms, and a capacity to establish constructive relationships and cope with the ordinary demands and stresses of life. APA Dictionary of Psychology
Mental health plays a crucial role in the fabric of overall wellness as it is an interwoven composition of mind, body, and spirit. Core Health & Fitness creates opportunities that reach more people in more places to promote healthy habits for longevity. The American Psychiatric Association has found that “Healthy lifestyle improvements, such as healthy nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep, can also be valuable in supporting recovery and overall wellness.”
Making positive changes to increase activity can boost mental health. With this year’s mental health awareness theme, “More than Enough”, we recognize you are enough; you are valued. Bringing activity into your life is a progressive practice with ebbs and flows; even small amounts of new activity can have positive effects.
Seven activities that can boost your mental health:
1. Turn off screens an hour before bed. Just like food intake, screen time can be limited to help improve sleep patterns.
2. Create a morning routine. Get out of bed within 15 minutes of waking up; this is the start of increased movement for the day.
3. Change clothes. Whether you plan on staying home or not, change your clothes. Give yourself a fresh start and remove obstacles that may stop you from going out.
4. Check-in with a friend, family member, neighbor, or co-worker. Make it a priority to connect with someone to start your day, share the tea, debrief, and make plans to meet up in person.
5. Eat. Protein and veggies are a great option to break your fast—yeah, breakfast.
6. Get Moving. Have a local rec center, an onsite amenity center, a staircase, or a walking trail? Get a few extra steps in—even if you work from home, take a few extra trips up and down the stairs, head to the local fitness center for a 30-minute circuit, or even take a lap around the neighborhood when you grab the mail or take out the trash.
7. Stay hydrated. Drink a glass of water every hour during the day. You may end up making more restroom stops, but this will also add a few extra steps to your daily count.
Activity is often a great stress release, and regardless of the amount of time or exertion, it can be beneficial to mental health thanks to a serotonin release. Serotonin creates a sense of joy and energy that is addictive, and through natural progression, it results in an incremental increase in activity over time. Unfortunately, the opposite is true as well; inactivity can lead to or may even be the cause of feelings of depression and anxiety and can progress to even less activity as serotonin levels drop.
Mental health is acknowledged as an important factor in global development, yet there are still disparities in many countries in human rights, conceptual stigma, and medical access. Depression is one of the leading causes of disability. Suicide is the fourth-leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds globally. People with severe mental health conditions die prematurely—as much as two decades early—due to preventable physical conditions.
Connecting with a person can be a lifeline for someone suffering. Many organizations are doing great work to create barrier-free options to help people in crisis. These resources from Mental Health America are available 365 days a year, anytime, and might be the most important contacts you have: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or using the chat box at 988lifeline.org/chat. You can also text “MHA” to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. Warmlines are an excellent place for non-crisis support.
Neighbors, communities, governments, and corporations can make a difference in fighting this epidemic. We are seeing the impact that mission-driven companies can make to raise awareness and share resources for mental health. As a mission-driven company, TONA Activewear is focused on preventing teen suicide and self-harm. TONA will donate one mental health counseling session to a youth in need for every ten pairs of leggings purchased. The goal is to provide 2,250,000 hours of counseling over the next three years and eliminate financial restrictions on life-saving treatment.
As advocates for total wellness, Core Health & Fitness continues to create paths for people to realize their full potential. Mental health is achievable, and with support, we can avert crises with effective therapies. As we move about our day at the office, in the grocery store, at home, or in the gym, we can all play a part in removing obstacles and being part of the solution. Establishing a routine that includes mental health therapies will have a lasting impact and give you the control to experience overall health and wellness.
Alisa Maloney is the Marketing Content Specialist for Core Health & Fitness. As a communication professional, Alisa seeks out new opportunities to hone her craft. "I love the creative use of words in language to build stories and create relationships," says Alisa; "a word is worth a thousand images." Alisa spends her free time with her family and enjoys visiting places where sandals are the most prevalent footwear.