October 5, 2012

Canterbury District Health Board Media Release

Ramble for Happiness in Hagley Park


People across Canterbury will have the opportunity to walk for their wellbeing this Sunday (October 7, 2012).

Walk 4 Wellbeing is a free, fun and non-competitive ramble with a difference through Hagley Park. The event has been organised by the Christchurch City Council, the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand and the Canterbury District Health Board.

Meg Christie, Canterbury DHB Health Promoter, says it is a walk with a difference.

“Walk 4 Wellbeing is a celebration of the simple pleasures that a ramble through the heart of the Garden City can bring,” Meg says.

“Five stations will be set up along the 3km route to encourage walkers to incorporate the five ways to wellbeing into their day.”

The five ways to wellbeing are simple actions you can incorporate into your everyday life, which actually improve your health and wellbeing. They originated from research undertaken by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) for the UK Government’s Foresight Project, and are Connect, Take Notice, Give, Keep Learning and Be Active.

“Walkers will be encouraged to take time, take a breath and take notice as they wind through the Botanical Gardens and engage with stations prompting them to Give, Keep Learning, Take Notice, Be Active and Connect,” Meg says.

“Christchurch knows a thing or two about resilience. Having survived so much the past couple of years and seen off another challenging winter, now’s the perfect time for a breath of fresh spring air.”

Meg Christie says the 3km track is accessible for bikes, trikes, wheelchairs and buggies.

Walk 4 Wellbeing is a non-profit event and the organisers would like to acknowledge the enthusiastic team of volunteers who have helped to make it happen.

• When: Sunday 7th October 10am – 2pm
• Where: Botanic Gardens – North Hagley Park. The starting point will be next to the pedestrian bridge adjacent to the cafe.

Mental Health Awareness Week (October 8-14) is a national annual event promoting awareness of mental wellbeing for all New Zealanders and includes World Mental Health Day (October 10). Mental Health Awareness Week is endorsed by the World Federation for Mental Health and acknowledged in more than150 countries.

The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2012 is focused on Take Notice – one of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing. It is inviting New Zealanders to ‘Take time, take a breath, take notice’.
ENDS

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