(NC) Many of us are experiencing elevated stress and anxiety levels. But did you know that aerobic exercise – like going for a jog or brisk walk – can help treat mild to moderate depression and anxiety? Studies show exercise that raises your heartrate for at least 25 minutes can have the same effect on your brain as anti-depressant drugs.
Even in more normal times, one in three women are affected by mental health disorders like depression and anxiety, in part due to income inequality and gender-based violence. That’s why there’s no better time to start walking or running – both for your own health, and for the well-being of women in need in your community.
This fall, you can be a part of the eighth annual Run for Women, brought to you by Love You by Shoppers Drug Mart. The Canada-wide movement champions women’s mental health, including supporting local women’s mental health organizations in 18 cities across the country. This year’s run will be held as a virtual event, allowing people from communities throughout Canada to participate in their own personal walk or run between September 17 to 27.
While we may not be able to gather together, we can still feel the power of thousands of runners and walkers joining forces to help themselves and others. Participants can follow a pre-planned route or do a personalized five or 10 kilometre route of their choosing. Where social distancing guidelines allow, you can plan to run or walk with colleagues, family and friends.
No matter how you choose to participate, 100 per cent of the $40 registration cost will be directed to a local charity partner. You’ll also receive the run’s famous swag bag valued at $100, plus a participation bracelet and t-shirt. An official virtual celebration is set to conclude the event on September 27.
Since 2013, the run has raised over $8.3 million in support of women’s mental health programming in Canada, including for local organizations such as the Ontario Shores Foundation in Whitby, Ontario; Beauséjour Family Crisis Resource Centre in Shediac, New Brunswick; and the Canadian Mental Health Association in Kelowna, British Columbia.
Make a difference for the women in your community. Join in the fun by signing up now at runforwomen.ca.
