Manhattan Mayor Nudges Residents For 'Move With The Mayor' Challenge

MANHATTAN, IL — Get ready to get movin', Manhattan.

Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen, along with mayors throughout the U.S., is leading a country-wide initiative to improve mental and cardiovascular health by encouraging Manhattan residents to increase their daily physical activity.

This is the village’s first annual Move with the Mayor Challenge, featuring a range of wellness activities, including fitness and healthy eating. The focus of the challenge is to raise awareness that being physically active, even a little bit, improves one’s chances of living a longer, more active life and increases resilience.

Mayor Adrieansen and The Village of Manhattan joins residents, LC Chiropractic, and MSD114 in physical activity challenges with the mission of showing people the range of benefits that come with being active. Any amount of physical activity can improve your health, so people with the busiest schedules have time to keep their heart healthy and their mental health in check.

Move with the Mayor is a partnership between Manhattan and the National Forum that invites residents of all ages to join in with Mayor Adrieansen in a physical activity challenge within the village during April 15–May 31.

“Physical activity offers a range of benefits such as reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and heart disease risk. I know firsthand how hard it can be to fit physical activity into a busy schedule. That’s why I am hosting a series of physical activity events in our village to show that it is possible to fit 30 minutes of activity into a hectic day, while rewarding one with overall improved health,” said Adrieansen.

Mental health is an integral part of overall health, referring to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, while mental health disorders interfere with a person’s mood, behavior and thinking. There are mental health disorders that are related to heart disease, including mood disorders, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic stress. Research shows that mental health is associated with heart disease risk factors.1

The leading cause of death in America is heart disease. One in every five deaths is attributed to heart disease, which amounts to 697,000 people annually. Improving cardiovascular health is important in heart disease prevention.

The brain is linked to the cardiovascular system in the body and is important to take care of it for
heart health. Mental and cardiovascular health can both be nurtured when you’re physically active. Immediate benefits of physical activity include reduced anxiety and blood pressure, while maintaining a long-term physical activity habit can improve cognition in children, and reduce the risk of dementia, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and depression.

“Research shows that a small amount of physical activity can have a big impact on your life,” says John M. Clymer, executive director of the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention. “A new study found that a daily 11-minute brisk walk lowers one’s risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and premature death.”

Adrieansen sees the importance of this and is making it his goal to motivate Manhattan residents to walk, bike, or move to improve their mental health and cardiovascular health.

“We will be offering a variety of physical activity events during the challenge dates April 15–May 31,” Adrieansen said.

“In addition to this, I am encouraging Manhattan residents to find a form of physical activity that you enjoy and can stick to year-round, whether it’s as simple as taking the stairs, dancing, swimming, or bike riding,” Adrieansen said.

The Manhattan Park District, Fitness Premier and LC Chiropractic offer many ways to keep residents of all ages moving.

“Mayors recognize that by helping people to become more active in their everyday lives, they help people improve their mental and physical health, and have healthier, more vibrant lives, while strengthening the community,” said Clymer.

Adrieansen’s Move with the Mayor physical activity challenge will kick off with a Walk with the Mayor for all ages on April 29. Residents can get a head start by logging their exercises on the Activity Tracker beginning April 15. For more information on the village’s physical activity challenge visit https://villageofmanhattan.org... or contact Kristen Reinke (815) 418-2053 or kreinke@villageofmanhattan.org.