Make it your job to 'move' this World Mental Health Day

With mental health and workplace productivity being heavily under microscope, ASICS has released a timely reminder ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10th that urges office workers to get up and move to boost their mental health. The team here at Adventure Entertainment and Trail Run Mag absolutely love it.

A global study, including Australian participants, conducted by ASICS, recently revealed that continuous desk work is a silent threat to your mental health. The research showed that after just two hours of sitting at a desk, workers’ mental state begins to decline, with stress levels significantly rising after four hours of uninterrupted work. The solution? Just 15 minutes of movement *cough cough going for a run* can help reverse these effects.

To amplify this message, ASICS have shot a short but super impactful video with Brian Cox, that highlights the dangers of staying glued to your desk for hours on end. It’s well worth the watch.

The video encourages workers to break free from wellness ‘perks’ like free fruit or casual wellness days, instead emphasising the need for consistent movement throughout the day. This isn’t about doing intense exercise but rather taking a short desk break to move for your mind.

Dr. Brendon Stubbs from King’s College London oversaw ASICS’ desk break experiment, which confirmed that as little as 15 minutes of movement can significantly improve mental state, reducing stress by nearly 15% and boosting productivity by 33%. The results also showed improvements in focus, relaxation, and overall wellbeing. Participants reported feeling calmer, more resilient, and more loyal to employers who not only provided, but encouraged regular movement breaks.

To mark World Mental Health Day, ASICS and Trail Run Mag invites office workers around Australia and New Zealand to participate in the #DeskBreak movement by taking a 15 minute break and sharing images of their empty desks to raise awareness and funds for mental health charities.

For more information on ASICS’ Desk Break initiative and how you can participate, visit asics.com.