Exercise your mood!
Download the FREE Black Dog Pedometer for iPhone

Download the FREE Black Dog Pedometer for iPhone.

Geoff Huegill

The Facts | What is Exercise Your Mood Week? | Why do we need help? | How can I get involved? | Schools | Workplaces | Community events | Donate | Merchandise | iPhone Black Dog pedometer

The Facts

Depression impacts one in five Australians. According to the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) depression will be the number one cause of disability by 2030.

Exercise is a great way to lift mood and relieve some symptoms of depression. Exercise Your Mood Week happens every September, so get ready to make a difference and get involved!

The Institute has undertaken research into the benefits of exercise and how it impacts on your mental health. Research has shown that people who exercise regularly experience fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety.

In older adults research has shown that 16 weeks of regular exercise can be as effective as antidepressants. Mood benefits from exercise include:

  • The release of endorphins (described as the body’s natural feel good chemicals)
  • Interruption of the ‘inactivity cycle’ caused by depression
  • Distraction from worrying
  • Changes in the brain’s chemistry
  • Reduction in the levels of stress hormones
  • Improved sleep, fitness and energy
  • An increased sense of control while promoting social interaction

Read our fact sheet ‘Exercise and Depression’


What is Exercise Your Mood Week?

Exercise Your Mood Week is a national fundraising campaign for the Black Dog Institute to increase awareness in the community about the importance of regular exercise for maintaining good mental health. People of all ages can participate in either an individual or group exercise during the week, by organising their own activity or participating in one of the many Exercise Your Mood community events.

See a list of Exercise Your Mood Ambassadors

Why do we need help?

Why we need help?

Currently our services are only available in NSW. With funds raised from Exercise Your Mood Week we can carry out more research into effective diagnosis, treatment and early intervention as well as be able to expand our services nationally.

How can I get involved?

We want to make it as easy as possible for people of all ages from young children to the elderly to participate in Exercise Your Mood Week. Simply organise your own event or participate in one of our events.

You can also set up your own fundraising page online just follow the step by step guide on our website. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started....

Schools

  • Pedometer challenge. Enter our pedometer challenge! Get a group together or do this individually and and be sponsored.
  • Organise an Exercise Your Mood Day at your school on a sport or PE day. Hold a cross country running event, or a walk-a-thon around the school grounds at lunchtime – have your friends and family sponsor you!
  • Hold something a little different e.g. hula hoop tournament
  • Fundraise with our Exercise Your Mood Merchandise boxes
  • Exercise Your Mind with a trivia/quiz afternoon – gold coin donation entry
  • Participate in your local running festival. If you're in Sydney join the Blackmores Running Festival. Join the Black Dog Institute team or create you very own individual fundraising page.
  • Hold a healthy food stall - after your sporting challenges and donate funds to the Institute.

Workplaces

You can host your own event while having fun with your family and friends and colleagues

  • Participate in a major event like the Blackmores Running Festival and you, or your team, can run for the Black Dog Institute.
  • Try a lunch time pilates or kick boxing session, a walk or jog around the local park.
  • Build a team lunchtime walk-a-thon – staff can pay nominal fee to join with funds going to Black Dog Institute. Organise a healthy lunch afterwards.
  • Hold a sporting challenge or tournament – have your friends and family sponsor you
  • Fundraise with our Exercise Your Mind Merchandise boxes
  • Exercise Your Mind with a trivia/quiz afternoon – staff can pay nominal fee with funds going to the Black Dog Institute
  • Participate in your local running festival. If you're in Sydney join the Blackmores Running Festival on 16 September. Join the Black Dog Institute team or create your very own individual fundraising page.
  • Host a tai chi or yoga session during the week and fundraise e.g. 10 hours of yoga each week for a month
  • Create your own Everyday Hero page and have people sponsor you on one of your own challenges.

Community Events

Organise your own walk-a-thon, marathon, biathlon, triathlon, football or basketball day, cycling event, swim challenge, group pilates, tai chi or yoga event!

Donate

If you can't participate in an Exercise Your Mood Week event but would like to help, make an online donation.

Merchandise

We have a selection of Exercise Your Mood Week merchandise available for you to sell to help us raise money. If you would like to order merchandise please call 1800 993 335 or order online.

iPhone Black Dog Pedometer

This FREE app for your iPhone or iPod Touch allows you to set your distance, time goal and tracks your personal best. The pedometer is also linked to the Black Dog Institute mobile website which provides more information about depression and bipolar disorder and allows for online donations to the Institute.