N.S. campaign encourages people to get moving for mental health

Crystal Garrett finds out how you can get moving any way you like to support a great cause.

The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is encouraging people to “Get Your Body Movin’ for Mental Health” this February through its annual fundraising campaign.

“You don’t need to run 100 miles, you don’t need to be a professional cyclist, all you need to do is know how to move. And that could be dancing in your kitchen, it can be touching your toes right now, it can be running in the rain, it can be just about anything,” said Star Cunningham, president and CEO of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.

Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is even more important as you age.

A recent report published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests doctors should prescribe exercise more often – especially for older patients.

According to Mental Health Research Canada, more than one in four Canadians report that their mental health symptoms affect their daily functioning.

“That’s the key behind 'Body Movin‘’ really, is to let people know that activity is so vital to our mental wellness and just to get more people moving because once you’re moving, you can’t help but feel good,” said Cunningham. “Added energy, you sleep better, you just have a more positive outlook on life.”

People can register for the “Body Movin’” campaign online as an individual or a team.

“There’s no minimum fundraising target, so you set your own target. And we’re not going to tell you how to move, you’re going to tell us and share it on your social media and just have some fun,” said Cunningham. “So, whether you want to raise $5,000 and get your whole workforce involved, or whether you want to raise $100 … it’s all good.”

All funds raised will go directly back to the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.

“We use it to support critical mental health and addiction programming from one end of our province to the other,” Cunningham said.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page