Many readers will be familiar with seeing the bright yellow tops of the jogscotland WESTHILL (JSW) members running around the payments and paths of our town and occasionally beyond. Our little group continues to grow with more than 40 running regularly each week. What most won’t know is that jogscotland partners with the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) who, as the name suggest promotes good mental health.
SAMH support all jogscotland groups because regular exercise has been proven to have a positive effect on your mental health and wellbeing. But that doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon. Simply, taking part in a jogging group can help you achieve a healthier, happier, more active life whilst looking after your mental health and wellbeing.
There are the social benefits as this can be a great way to meet new people and enjoy the company of others in a supportive environment.
We all have mental health, but that doesn’t mean we need to struggle. What affects someone’s mental wellbeing won’t necessarily affect others in the same way. Life events such as loss or bereavement, issues at work, financial worries, starting college or university and relationship problems can all impact on our mental wellbeing. Sometimes there is no clear reason why we feel the way we do.
Every year 1 in 4 of us in Scotland will experience a mental health problem. So it’s important to be ready to talk about mental health. All our jogleaders have to undergo training in how to support anyone, regardless of ability who comes along to the group. Importantly each of them also has to undertake a mental health awareness online training session also. But it’s not just about looking after the 1 in 4, it’s as much about helping the 3 in 4 who currently have good mental health maintain it through physical activity, is a sociable and supportive group.
Moreover, as your fitness levels increase, and your body improves, it can give your self-esteem a big boost. The sense of achievement you get from achieving your goals can also help you feel better and lift your mood.
So if you fancy coming along please check out our website and Facebook page and make sure you join jogscotland for free through their website (www.jogscotland.org). We meet at the swimming pool at 6.15 on Mondays and Thursdays. If you want to banish to winter blues or have a go at the festive excess we will have a Couch to 5k staring in the new year for 10 weeks on Monday 14th January
In the meantime, you will see us running around the paths of Westhill in hi-vis and perhaps a Santa outfit or two as we head out on our annual Santa run Mon 17 Dec at 6.30pm leaving the pool and passing through/by Broadshades Roundabout, Broadstraik Pub, Tesco Roundabout, Costa Roundabout, Westhill Shopping precinct and finally the Holiday Inn.
