One Mile Challenge: Good For Our Guardians, Good For You.
September is suicide awareness month, and with this issue being something that’s very close to our hearts, Guardian Revival is organizing our third annual One Mile Challenge to raise funds and awareness to combat veteran and first responder suicide.
While the One Mile Challenge is incredibly beneficial to helping our organization enrich the lives of our guardians, it also provides plenty of mental and physical health benefits to our participants. Here are just a few ways that taking on this fitness challenge can do great things for you while you do great things for our veterans and first responders.
Level Up Your Cardiovascular Health
One of the most significant health benefits of walking a mile every day is improved cardiovascular health. Walking is a low-impact aerobic exercise that gets your heart pumping and your blood flowing. Taking regular walks can help strengthen your heart and improve blood circulation throughout your body.
By walking a mile a day for a month, you can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, giving you a healthier cardiovascular system and increasing your overall fitness levels.
Boost Your Energy
While some people might think that exercise depletes their energy levels, the opposite is actually true. A 30-day walking challenge can lead to better sleep patterns and more restful nights, which can lead to improved energy levels during the daytime and increased productivity.
Regular exercise can stimulate the release of endorphins which act as natural energy boosters and mood elevators. These “feel-good” chemicals can prevent experiencing fatigue and add a spring to your step.
Improve Your Joint and Bone Health
Consistent cardio promotes improved joint and bone health. While you may not be ready to strap on your running shoes and go all out for a marathon, regular walking can provide many of the same benefits as more intense forms of cardio.
By taking on a 30-day walking challenge, you can improve joint flexibility and strengthen the muscles that support your bones, reducing the risk of joint pain and conditions like osteoporosis.
Gain a Sense of Community
While you can take on the walking challenge on your own, the beauty of the One Mile Challenge is that it can be a shared experience. Whether you’re walking by yourself or as part of a team, you can share your journey with the Guardian community and cheer on your fellow participants.
You can also gain a sense of community by taking on the challenge with a friend, family member, or colleague in the real world. Spending time with people during group walking can keep you accountable, make the challenge more enjoyable, and provide you with a sense of connection.
Connect With Nature
One of the unique mental health benefits of walking every day is that it helps you to connect with nature.
Walking challenges allow you to explore your surroundings and take in the sights and sounds of the world around you.
Whether it’s a stroll in the park, a hike on a nearby trail, or a long walk on the beach, spending time in nature can positively impact your mental and emotional well-being.
The 30-day challenge can be an excellent way to discover new places and appreciate the beauty of the world around you.
Enhance Your Mental Health
There’s a clear link between physical activity and mental health benefits, and walking is one of the easiest ways to tap into the power of physical exercise for the mind.
Taking regular walks can improve your mental health by releasing endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers that reduce stress and anxiety one mile at a time.
The rhythmic nature of walking can also soothe the mind and help to lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress which can promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
Engaging in a 30-day walking challenge not only provides excellent physical health benefits, but it can also give a sense of accomplishment that boosts your confidence and self-esteem and leads to improved mental well-being.
Take on the Challenge
Whether you’re passionate about doing great things for veterans and first responders, interested in giving back to your community, or you just want to be a little healthier, The One Mile Challenge is an opportunity to do great things for our guardians and great things for yourself.
Our Mission
Guardian Revival is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that improves the mental health & well-being of military & first responders — our guardians — and their families, at no cost to them.
Our guardians are military & first responders — a far broader group than most people assume or imagine, who are exposed to mental & physical trauma & stress.
We serve ALL guardians — active, former and retired: Military ᐧ Veterans ᐧ Reserves ᐧ Law Enforcement ᐧ Fire & Rescue ᐧ Emergency Medical Services ᐧ Dispatchers ᐧ Corrections Officers ᐧ Federal Agents
Programs
We aim to fulfill our mission through our programs & events for guardians & their families:
Another Summit | Outdoor adventures — walking, hiking, backpacking, and paddling
Boots & Paws | Providing dogs for the therapeutic benefits of animal companionship
Encore | Opportunities to learn, write, play, record, and share music
Peer Services | Individual & group peer support for guardians by guardians
Homefront | Support & resources for military & first responder families