Move UBC is a university-wide initiative every February to increase physical activity and reduce the time students, faculty, staff, and the UBC community spend inactive. Small changes can add to big impacts – moving more and breaking up bouts of stationary (or sedentary) behaviour can improve mental and physical health, impact academic and professional success, and contribute to well-being and sustainability in meaningful ways.
But for many, fitting physical activity into our day, whether working and learning remotely or from campus, can be a challenge. We hope that Move UBC is an opportunity for you to learn about and explore ways to move that feel empowering, comfortable, and motivating for you – throughout February and beyond!
Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines
The good news is that small changes can add up to big impacts—moving more in ways that are empowering, comfortable, and motivating for you can improve both mental and physical health, impact academic and professional success, and positively impact our minds, bodies, and environment in meaningful ways.
Breaking up bouts of inactivity with movement throughout the day is key to achieving and maintaining good health. And when it comes to moving more, it all adds up. The new Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines highlight the importance of routine rituals in your daily life that count towards a healthy 24 hours, including walks or rolls to the bus, gardening, taking the stairs, and household chores. Breaking up bouts of sedentary behaviour is key to keeping yourself healthy!
UBC is working to create environments where movement is supported and celebrated by all our community members. We want to help you:
- Move More—regularly, and throughout the day.
- Move Well—in comfortable ways, empowering and motivating to you, regardless of your level of ability.
- Move Anywhere—find opportunities to move that work for you, wherever you are!
- Keep Moving—let Move UBC be an opportunity to explore physical activity and how it fits into your life year-round!
- Moving for the Planet —explore ways to incorporate movement into our daily commute to work or class, for running errands, or for other parts of our lives to positively impact our minds, bodies, and environment.
MOVE FOR THE PLANET
Healthy heart, healthy planet
Whether commuting to work or running errands, active transportation is an option for you to help add movement to your day. Not only does active transportation, such as taking transit, support your mental and physical health, but it also helps reduce emissions and protect the planet. Learn more about tips for travelling sustainably here.
MOVE MORE, STRESS LESS
Physical activity helps relieve stress
Just 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week can help boost your mood, improve self-esteem, and decrease stress, anxiety, and depression.
Learn about research happening in the Fitness, Aging and Stress Lab.
MOVE WELL, SLEEP WELL
Work up a sweat for better rest
Exercise can help you sleep soundly and wake up refreshed. Regulated sleep patterns and better rest are also linked with fostering and maintaining mental health.
MOVE WELL, HEAL WELL
Let movement be like medicine
Regular, moderate exercise can fight chronic diseases boosting your immune system to help you heal better. Physical activity is also linked to reduced illness and sick days off.
Support your mental health by moving more!
Even a small daily dose of physical activity can help you thrive. It can also lead to increased engagement and social activities, which also contribute to building mental health.