Exercising for better mental health
Participants competed in teams of four to complete as many burpees as possible to raise awareness of the power exercise can play in managing mental health.
THREE Jewish participants – Naomi Blair, Michael Rosenthal and Tracey Masiello – took part in Mood Active’s Burpee Challenge as part of October Mental Health month.
The virtual event saw participants compete in teams of four to complete as many burpees as possible in 60 minutes, in order to raise awareness of the power exercise can play in managing mental health.
Blair and FINA World Championship water polo player Rosenthal sweated it out in the Benchmark team, while Masiello took on the challenge as an individual.
Along with Olympian Keesja Gofers (Water Polo, Rio and Tokyo) and Chris Dyson, the Benchmark team completed over 1000 burpees altogether and raised $5000 towards the overall target of $40,000.
Blair is program manager for Mood Active, a community not-for-profit that teaches people how to use exercise to improve their mental health. Dyson is general manager of the organisation.
“Our aim is to offer affordable exercise programs and we provide the extra outreach, coaching support and supervision needed when people are struggling with their motivation,” she said.
“Over 85 per cent of participants who have completed our four or eight-week programs report an increase in mood and over 63 per cent report having increased their physical activity.”
Mood Active run free and low cost, virtual and face-to-face exercise classes across Sydney, as well as educational workshops on motivation, habit building and overcoming barriers.
“Hearing the feedback from participants is the most rewarding part of my job,” Blair said.
“Last week I got an email from a participant saying, ‘I am so happy to see that exercise has made a significant difference and improvement in my mental health and fitness. It also increases my quality and enjoyment of life. Again, much appreciative of your ongoing support and care.'”
More info/donate: moodactive.org.au
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