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Staying home? Central Texas Leaders Encourage Texans to Get Moving with Million Mile Month
Virtual Challenge Encourages Global Community to Keep Moving Amid COVID-19
AUSTIN, Texas (April 1, 2020) – With people around the world and across Texas working at home amid the coronavirus outbreak, Central Texas leaders and health care professionals are encouraging Texans to stay active and healthy with Million Mile Month.
HealthCode’s Million Mile Month is a virtual local-to-global wellness challenge in which participants track physical activity – from walking to dancing to yoga to gardening – with a goal of reaching 1 million miles collectively as a global community in the month of April.
With schools, gyms and offices closed and millions of employees working from home to slow the spread of COVID-19, HealthCode kicked off Million Mile Month a week early on March 25.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr. along with health care leaders are encouraging Central Texans staying at home to remain physically active keep moving to stay healthy and engaged with the community.
“The Million Mile Month is a fun way to keep people active and connected while safe at home,’’ Adler said. “At a time when we are asking folks to stay home and reduce contact, this virtual competition provides inspiration to keep us moving while providing an important sense of connection to the Austin community.”
Participating in Million Mile Month is simple. Participants sign up on Million Mile Month registration page at https://events.healthcode.org/mmm2020 and log miles or minutes on the HealthCode online activity tracker. Throughout the month, the program leaderboard is updated with miles achieved globally. Participants can join as an individual or as part of an organization. Employers and other organizations can register at https://events.healthcode.org/wellness.
Marcia Ory, director of Texas A&M University’s Center for Public Health and Aging, said: “The current mandated COVID-19 social distancing guidelines are key to stopping the spread of the virus. Everyone should be following the recommended CDC guidelines. But don’t forget – one of the best things people of all ages can do to maintain physical and mental health is to stay physically active and socially connected.”
“HealthCode’s Million Mile Month is a perfect way to stay both physically active and socially connected while abiding by CDC guidelines. So, get moving and have fun with virtual friends,’’ Ory said.
Dr. Jeff Hutchinson, an adolescent physician with People’s Community Clinic and former interim chair of pediatrics and associate dean with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, said: “In this time of physical distancing, it is easy to feel socially isolated. An activity that help us feel connected like HeathCode’s Million Mile Month is a perfect example of staying connected and staying active. Community and physical activity are the key to overcoming the challenges of our time.’’
Steve Amos, CEO and founder of HealthCode, said: “Whether it is across the street or around the globe, the goal of Million Mile Month is about creating connections while we engage in healthy living. While social distancing and quarantining is forcing us to be even more sedentary, we are challenging employers and individuals to take steps to stay motivated and maintain healthy habits while battling stress and remaining connected with colleagues, friends and family.’’
HealthCode is committed to raising awareness on living healthier, happier lives through physical activity, nutrition and the environment. Since launching the first Million Mile Month challenge in 2014, HealthCode’s programs have grown.
Whether it is an employer looking to develop a culture of wellness or an individual seeing to stay on track, HealthCode offers quarterly goal-based challenges with more than 50,000 participants and organizations across all 50 U.S. states and in 30 countries. In addition to Million Mile Month in April, programs include iResolve in January, Triathlon in a Month in July, Marathon in a Month in October and other initiatives.
About HealthCode
HealthCode, a nonprofit based in Austin, Texas, is dedicated to empowering people to live healthier, happier lives through education and encouraging physical activity, promoting healthy eating habits, supporting the environment and cultivating community connections. For more information visit https://healthcode.org.