Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Springfield Memorial Hospital is encouraging residents to get active this spring by signing up for its “Mindful Miles” walking challenge.
Galia Cossyleon, a community health consultant with the hospital, said the challenge is designed to get people outside as the weather improves.
“As soon as the weather gets nice we all want to get out of our caves and enjoy the good weather… What better than to get active and start walking,” Cossyleon said in an interview with Will Stevenson on the WTAX Morning Newswatch.
The program is the first regional walking challenge organized by Memorial Health. Some hospital campuses offer walking trails that participants can use.
Cossyleon said the idea behind “Mindful Miles” is tied to Mental Health Awareness Month.
“We were like, ‘hey how about two for one. So we’ll promote walking and staying active while at the same time promoting wellbeing and mental health, and so on which, is such a hot topic right now,’” she said.
Cossyleon continued to mention that spending time outdoors can benefit mental health. Sunlight provides vitamin D, which may help reduce cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone.
Participants can sign up through Memorial Health’s social media pages or by downloading the Pacer App and entering the code “M-H-Walks.” Users can choose a team based on where they live or work. The app tracks steps automatically, though manual entry is also available.
Organizers say the challenge is not meant to be highly competitive.
“We are obviously all rooting for our own hometowns, but it’s a communal shared goals,” Cossyleon said.
Participants will be able to see others’ progress in the app.
“The incentive is to walk 50 miles or more in one month. You have from May first until May 30th and you can get a free tshirt,” Cossyleon said.
Organizers say the goal averages about 2,000 steps per day.
Residents are encouraged to grab a friend, start a friendly competition with neighbors or surrounding communities and enjoy the warm weather while focusing on their mental health.
The challenge launches May 1.
