Get outside and get active for World Mental Health Day

9th October 2024

World Mental Health Day – 10th October 2024  

World Mental Health Day has been marked for more than 30 years – since 1992 – and is an initiative from the World Federation for Mental Health. 

Its overall aim is to raise awareness of mental health issues worldwide and to mobilise efforts in support of better wellbeing. The day, celebrated on 10 October every year, is a chance for anyone involved in this area professionally to speak about their efforts, and for people to discuss what more can be done across the world. 

This year, the theme is mental health at work and the importance of safe, healthy working environments. Governments, employers, organisations representing workers and employers, and others, are urged to come together to enhance mental health at work, so that everyone has the best possible chance of thriving. 

In keeping with the theme of the day, if you’re an employer, this is a great opportunity to focus on the wellbeing of your staff members. And there are a number of things you can do for your teams, including: 

• Encouraging breaks and urging people to take their full leave entitlement, while offering flexible hours, and providing advice on wellbeing issues. 
• Involving staff in decisions. 
• Listening carefully and actively to what your staff are saying. 
• Considering setting up a scheme for mental health first-aiders or champions at your organisation. 
• Not being afraid to have frank conversations with your teams and thinking about how you can actively reduce the stigma around discussing mental health issues. 
• Thinking about an employee assistance progamme (EAP) offering staff counselling, or how to signpost external support networks – colleagues should understand what help is available and how to access it. 

At the same time, it’s important to remember the mental health benefits of exercise. These are well documented and range from enhanced self-esteem and mood to reduced loneliness and improved focus and motivation. Not only that, but exercise can reduce the chances of a mental health illness developing in the first place, while also being a great coping strategy or treatment for conditions such as depression or anxiety. 

Even, say, a 10-minute brisk walk can boost alertness, energy and positivity. 

What are the benefits of exercising outside?

What’s more, exercising outside offers a number of benefits, including the ones mentioned above, along with: 

1. Increased vitamin D from natural daylight; this affects mental health since it regulates serotonin and melatonin. 
2. Better sleep as regular exposure to natural light can help regulate your cycles of sleeping and waking. 
3. The great outdoors is free, readily accessible and allows for an increased connection with your surroundings and nature. 
4. Spending time in nature has been found to boost cognitive function and attention span. 
5. There are particular benefits for people with ADHD, for whom a workout in the open air can be as advantageous as some medicines. 
6. Being in nature promotes a feeling of tranquility and peace which can be an excellent stress-buster, while also reducing feelings of anxiety or depression. 

How outdoor gyms can help

Outdoor gyms are free at the point of use and give exercisers a complete all-body workout with cardio and strength training. They can also be very sociable places, again helping mental health, plus they’re ideal locations for a spot of friendly rivalry or competition.

So if you’re an employer, urge staff to use their local outdoor gym for World Mental Health Day on Thursday. Or consider installing an outdoor gym at your place of work, it’s more popular and straight forward than you might think. You can read more about clients we’ve worked with here.

At this time of year, as the nights draw in, encourage exercise sessions before the working day starts, or during lunchtimes. Many outdoor gyms are adequately lit, but your staff will feel the benefits of physical activity in natural rather than artificial lighting, plus the advantages of absorbing vitamin D listed above. 

How we can help

Fresh Air Fitness is a leading UK supplier of outdoor gym equipment. We’ve installed these facilities in a variety of locations, from local parks and recreation grounds to corporate offices, residential settings, schools and more. Get in touch to learn more so that your staff can start to reap the mental and physical wellbeing rewards of working out under the sky.