Get Outside for Mental Health this Outdoors October
Get Outside for Mental Health this Outdoors October
October 1 – October 31
Studies show that spending just two hours a week in nature is fantastic for your mental health and is also linked to significant reductions in the risks of chronic disease.
Outdoors October is an annual public health campaign that’s designed to encourage more people to be more active outdoors. This year’s campaign theme is: “Get outside for mental health”.
To help kick start your outdoor health journey, this October, Outdoors WA has teamed up with the Bibbulmun Track Foundation to create the Outdoors October Virtual Hike Challenge, so you can walk, run, ride, swim, paddle or even climb your way “virtually” down the track.
Do it with some friends, a work team or on your own. You can also raise funds for mental health charity of your choice to do your bit.
And if you’re looking for inspiration for an activity, there are over 100 outdoor activities across the state that you can try.
Go on. Get Outside this Outdoors October.
Event Logistics
Virtual Hike Challenge
- Download the challenge app.
- If you are setting up a team, simply click this link, which will prompt you to download the app (Pacer for Teams)
- Enter the Code MV106577 to join our private virtual event space.
- Register yourself and create a memorable team name.
- To invite people to join your team (max 5 in a team), send them the link, the code above, and tell them to search for your team name to join.
- The challenge starts on 1 October, which gives you plenty of time to think about fundraising for the mental health charity of your choice. You can go to the fundraising page here.
Further activities across WA
Full Outdoors WA calendar here.
The outdoors & your health
Data from 143 studies comprising 290 million people from 20 countries across the world has found spending time in nature is associated with significant health benefits, including reduced risk of:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Premature death
- And stress
Just 2 hours a week has also been found to be the optimum time to benefit your health. Find out more ->
