Local people banish the winter blues on Move-It Monday

People of all ages across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes will be fighting back against the cold and dreary weather today (Monday 20 January), as part of a physical activity drive dreamt up by the local integrated care board.

The first Move-It Monday organised by Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board will see schools, care homes, social groups and leisure centres all joining in with special activities designed to help dispel the myth of ‘Blue Monday’, sometimes said to be the most miserable day of the year.

Activities will include dancing, rambling, chair-based exercise and running, but all residents can join in with the initiative, just by going for a walk or having a personal disco in their kitchen with their digital speaker.

Craig Lister, associate director for primary care transformation and prevention lead at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“Just talking of Blue Monday can have a negative impact as it focuses us on something negative, which is unhelpful and can lead us to poor decisions.  We’re turning the idea on its head so we can remind people that physical activity is good for you all year round, it boosts your mood and makes you feel better about yourself, even when it’s cold and maybe you don’t want to go outdoors!

“Not only can being active improve your mental health, but it’s closely associated with lowering the risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and cardiovascular disease.

“Getting out and about, or taking exercise in the comfort of your own home, is part of a virtuous circle: it increases your energy, can help your sleep and helps your concentration for other tasks.”

Amelia Makinson, assistant headteacher at Icknield Lower School in Dunstable, was among the first people to sign up for the event.  She said:

“We were delighted to commit to joining in with Move-It Monday.  Getting active is a key part of our curriculum at school, but we know that it helps the children to get ready to learn in their other lessons, too.

“Today we’ll be working with the children on a ‘stormbreak’. We have been using this in our school for over two years now and find it’s a great way to get the children talking about their mental health and deepen their understanding of how movement can improve how we feel and behave.

“Each class takes part in a different stormbreak each day, which can be done by watching a video or by following the teacher.  Pupils are particularly excited to see their journey on the digital screen and after a certain number of stormbreaks, the class receives a certificate; with the rainbow award being the ultimate target!  Each class has their favourite stormbreak and enjoys sharing the emotion they feel at the end of the session.  It’s a great way to get the children moving and talking.”

Lucy Thwaites, senior activities assistant at Bedford Charter House care home, said:

“We’ll be encouraging our residents to join in with music and dance activities today.  It’s well known that music is great for memory: it evokes something deep inside us which can take us back to an earlier time. Dancing, or joining in with seated exercise to music, is also a good way to keep active!” The event is expected to be the first in an annual series, but anyone who is inspired to pursue healthy changes to their lifestyle in 2025 can visit the NHS Live Well website for advice and guidance on doing so safely.