This year’s theme for ‘Mental Health Awareness Week 2019’ was body image.
Body image issues can affect any of us at any age. The dedicated week may be over, but we are still dedicated to campaigning for change when it comes to mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
On Friday 17th May, staff from Nottinghamshire YMCA’s Mansfield hostel for young people went for a wellbeing walk to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
Rebecca Owen, Sandra Young, and Sharon Woodsell, who is our new Lead Tenancy Sustainment Officer lead for Worksop went for a stroll around the area (along with Sandra’s amazing dog Daisy!), taking some well-deserved time to focus on mental wellbeing. Thankfully the weather was bright and beaming!
Light physical activity such as walking has a whole range of health benefits when it comes to mental wellbeing. It reportedly improves self-perception, self-esteem, mood and sleep quality, in addition to reducing stress, anxiety and fatigue. It can also help to keep us physically healthy and improve our mental relationship with our bodies.
You can find out more about the benefits and links between physical activity and mental health in this brilliant article by ‘Walking for Health’, England’s largest network of health walks with over 350 active walking schemes, helping people across the country lead a more active lifestyle.
Learn more about our YMCA Housing team’s work in locations across Nottinghamshire by visiting our Housing webpage.