With summer upon us, Canadian Mental Health Association branches across Ontario are offering another season of Mood Walks, a hiking program which promotes both physical and mental wellness.
A recent video from CMHA Ontario and the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) shows the benefits of the program, with participants highlighting the benefits on their health and relationships.
“It’s rewarding because you are getting out, you’re talking to other people, finding out what they do or what they don’t do,” says Bob Bracewell, one of the Mood Walks participants. “And it’s nice to relax.”
The benefits of nature on mental well-being are well documented. Regular use of natural areas for physical activity can reduce the risk of mental health problems by 50 per cent.
The participants “have built some long-lasting relationships” through the program, notes Debbie Lee, Seniors Health Program Coordinator for SCHC. “They are very supportive. It’s encouraged them to get out and reconnect with nature again,” she says in the video.
Watch the full video below:
For more information about Mood Walks and how you can participate, visit moodwalks.ca.