Like everyone else, the ASICS MOVEMENT FOR MIND team is preoccupied with the fast-changing impact of COVID-19 on the world. Our programme is founded on bringing people together, in the open air, to share movement and simple mindfulness exercises. Obviously, this just isn’t possible at the moment. As with so many other organisations, we’re changing our plans to support the global effort to contain and overcome the virus.
For us, that means pushing back the planned launch of our control trial. This was the next stage of our study – led by Professor Brendon Stubbs of Kings College, London – to quantify the benefits of movement and mindfulness on mental wellbeing. We had over 300 participants across the UK and the Netherlands ready to join the trial in May, but it’s clearly become impossible to stick to that timetable.
Despite the delay, we firmly believe that the principles behind ASICS MOVEMENT FOR MIND are more valuable now than ever. While it may be difficult to keep up your regular routine, there are elements from the programme that you can integrate into your day, even if you’re not able to venture outdoors or gather in a group. Over the coming weeks, we’ll bring you some straightforward advice for looking after your mental wellbeing in these unprecedented times.
And when we get back to our new, post-virus, normal, ASICS MOVEMENT FOR MIND will continue to develop a simple, effective programme, backed by science, to help everyone feel a little better. In the meantime, please stay safe, take care of yourself and others and follow the official advice you’ve been given.
