WITF, Capital BlueCross and WellSpan Health are launching “Spring Into Motion,” the next project in Transforming Health’s “Here With You” campaign. The free, 13-week community challenge includes a calendar of daily activities with two live, virtual exercise classes each week. The program offers fun ways to incorporate physical activities for every experience level, every day.
“After a year of limiting our social interactions because of COVID-19, we’re all looking for that breath of fresh air,” said Cara Williams Fry, WITF senior vice president & chief content officer. “With ‘Spring Into Motion’ Transforming Health’s goal is to offer our neighbors the tools and motivation to move more and feel better.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the immediate benefits of a single bout of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity are reduction in feelings of anxiety, improved quality of sleep, and lower blood pressure. Regular physical activity not only can help to maintain a healthy weight, but can reduce the risk of dementia, depression, heart disease, and certain cancers.
“We all know that maintaining personal wellness can be challenging, and these stressful and uncertain times have made it even more difficult,” said Anthony Aquilina D.O., executive vice president and chief physician executive at WellSpan Health. “As the weather warms, these events provide a great opportunity to get physical, get outside, and get that needed exercise for your mind and your body.”
“Spring Into Motion” begins the first day of spring, March 20, and runs through the last day of spring, June 19. A calendar, that participants can view online or print, provides an activity or class suggestion each day. Every week, the community is invited to two free, virtual exercise classes with a live instructor. Classes include both low intensity workouts, like “Yoga Basics for Back Health” and high intensity ones, like “Cardio Core Fusion.” Other resources include links to on-demand workouts with public media programs; options include “Quick Fit with Cassy,” a gentle, zero-impact stretching and strengthening session and “InPACT at Home,” a physical activity program for K-12 students.
“Spring is a perfect time to get active or give your current exercise routine a boost,” said Gina McDonald, a senior health coach at Capital BlueCross. “Warmer weather means more chances to get outdoors and move around, whether that means walks, jogs, hikes or other activities. And best of all,
outdoor activities can usually be done at a safe social distance, which continues to be an important rule for health and wellness.”
Transforming Health has promoted health and wellness through its television series and special community engagement initiatives since 2012. In June 2020, Transforming Health launched the “Here With You” campaign in response to the ongoing mental and physical needs of navigating life during the pandemic. Projects have varied, including initiatives to provide free resources to promote physical wellness and mental health and resilience.
Last summer, Transforming Health encouraged the community to get out and exercise with the “To the Moon & Back Walking Challenge.” Over 1,000 walkers participated, with the top team and the top individual walker each winning $500 for their favorite charitable organizations.
This winter, Transforming Health promoted mental wellness through the “Fill PA With Love” cards of caring campaign. The partners provided over 13,000 beautiful free, postage-paid, postcards to recipients. Participants sent cards with messages of comfort and support to their loved ones and to 34 different organizations that serve residents who may be feeling lonely. A map of the over 500 zip codes that received postcards in Pennsylvania and beyond is on the project website.
The “Spring Into Motion” activity calendar and resources can be found at transforminghealth.org.
