Moving for Mental Health: Our Journey Through the 31-Day Challenge 🏃‍♂️

Content warning: This article discusses mental health and mentions suicide.

The Challenge That Started 2025 Right!

Picture this: January 2025, three determined souls - Ryan, Summer, and Annie - decided to kick off their year by making a difference. They joined forces with Motion for Emotion, part of Elixir Philanthropy, and teamed up with Mind.org.uk for an inspiring challenge. The concept was beautifully simple yet powerful: move your body for 31 minutes, every day, for 31 days.

The State of Mental Health in the UK: Why Every Action Counts

One in four people experiences mental health problems each year in the UK. This means in a typical friend group of four people, one person is likely facing mental health challenges right now. NHS England reports that approximately 1.6 million people are currently on waiting lists for mental health services, with average waiting times for talking therapies standing at 18 weeks.

Young people face particularly significant challenges, with one in six children aged 5-16 experiencing a probable mental health disorder, a number that has risen by 50% since 2017. In the workplace, stress, depression, and anxiety account for 51% of all work-related ill health cases, translating to 17.9 million working days lost due to mental health-related issues in 2024.

Meet Our Amazing Participants

Annie's Zumba Journey

Annie's story touches hearts deeply. "I did this to give back to my friend who I lost to suicide back in 2021. I wanted to do something to give back as we are losing too many young people to suicide in this day and age." She chose Zumba as her daily movement, transforming her grief into action and hope through 31 days of dance.

Annie created a dedicated playlist for each day of the challenge, using music that reminded her of her friend to keep going even on tough days. She prepared her exercise clothes the night before, eliminating excuses and maintaining her commitment throughout the challenge.

Ryan and Summer's Dynamic Partnership

Ryan and Summer approached the challenge together, supporting and motivating each other through every session. Their journey included intense boxing workouts, energetic dance sessions, and thoughtful walks that combined physical activity with mental health discussions.

"We wanted to start the year with something a lot more active," Ryan shares, "so attempting to do 31 minutes of activities for 31 days was amazing, and it felt so good on my mental health." Boxing was new to Summer, but Ryan’s encouragement made it exciting. They started each session with a clear goal, whether mastering a new combination or increasing their stamina.

Summer brought her perspective to the challenge: "I did this for my own mental health and young people who I have supported over the years." Their partnership demonstrated how sharing the journey enhances both the physical and mental benefits of exercise.

The Real Impact: How £282 Makes a Difference

Our team raised £282 for Mind.org.uk through the challenge. While this might seem modest, its impact reaches far beyond the numbers. Each crisis helpline call costs approximately £5 to answer, meaning our fundraising efforts could support over 56 life-changing conversations.

In local communities, £30 funds an hour-long counseling session for someone who couldn't otherwise afford it. Our contribution could potentially provide nine full counseling sessions. Youth programs benefit significantly, with £50 supporting a young person through a peer support session.

Digital resources, crucial for accessibility, cost around £25 per day to maintain and update. Our fundraising helps keep these resources available to thousands seeking help from home. Workplace training programs, costing £100 per session, create lasting change in business communities.

The Science Behind Movement and Mental Health

Recent research from Oxford University shows that regular movement increases hippocampus volume by 2% over six months, improves memory function by up to 15%, and reduces depression risk by 26%. Studies from Cambridge University demonstrate that group exercise doubles the mental health benefits compared to solo activities.

The connection between physical activity and mental wellbeing is profound. During exercise, our bodies release endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine - natural mood enhancers that combat stress and anxiety. A 2024 study found that just 31 minutes of moderate exercise increases serotonin production by 21% and significantly reduces stress hormones.

Looking Forward: The Future of Motion for Emotion

As we move through 2025, our commitment to combining physical movement with mental health awareness grows stronger. The success of the "31 Minutes for 31 Days" challenge has laid the groundwork for future initiatives, with plans to expand our reach and impact.

Private therapy sessions average £60 per hour in the UK, making them inaccessible for many. This reality drives our motivation to continue fundraising and supporting organizations like Mind that provide affordable or free support services.

Join Our Movement

The journey toward better mental health through movement continues. Whether you're interested in participating, supporting, or spreading awareness, there's a place for you in our community. Join our Discord server to stay updated on future events and become part of our growing family.

Conclusion: Moving Forward Together

Through the dedication of Annie, Ryan, Summer, and our supporting community, we've demonstrated how movement can create positive change in mental health awareness and support. Every step, every dance move, and every boxing session contributed to a larger purpose.

Regular exercise is associated with a 30% lower risk of depression, validating our approach to combining physical activity with mental health support. As we continue our journey, we invite you to join us in making a difference, one movement at a time.

Remember: Every movement matters. Every story counts. Every person can make a difference.

Join our Discord community today to be part of our next event and continue making a difference in mental health awareness and support.

Together, we're moving for minds, one minute at a time. 💪🧠