As we continue to explore our theme of ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’ throughout January, we spoke with Jason Bonney, Elysium’s Mission Fit lead, about the different ways we support mental health through fitness across the organisation. Both service users and colleagues have been challenging themselves to enhance their well-being through physical activity, but how do you keep everyone enthusiastic and sticking to their goals throughout the year?
“Hands up everyone who has already broken their New Year’s resolutions to get fitter in 2025? Many of us start the year with unrealistic expectations of ourselves. We blast the gym seven days a week – for a couple of weeks – before we get bored, or tired or injure ourselves. And then we feel guilty for not going as much, and so stop going at all and the cycle begins again.
“It’s the same with promising ourselves we’ll eat more healthily and make massive changes to our diet all at once at the beginning of the new year. That rarely works either.
“Really, success comes from realistic goals, realistic expectations (you’re not going to lose two stone or be prepared to run a marathon from a standing start in a matter of weeks!) and being consistent.
“We’ve seen great success in our Garmin watch use; people supported at The Spinney have set themselves realistic goals for movement, or taking part in physical activities, and they can see themselves achieving them through the feedback the watch provides. And that encourages them to do it again, and more, and to set more ambitious targets. And to do so consistently. That helps lead to people feeling better both mentally and physically.
“Swimming has proved to be a real winner for mental and physical wellbeing too. In 2024 we set the people supported at The Spinney a target of 150 miles to be swum over the course of the year in our pool. Needless to say, they smashed that and clocked an amazing 300km, or 188.5 miles. Our top swimmer covered almost 40 miles just by himself. With that target smashed, this year we’re setting the bar even higher, and we know they will go again and give it all they have.
“It wrapped up a record-breaking year for the people we support who have continued to rise to every challenge.
“So how can we help keep people motivated? Sometimes it’s about setting smaller, realistic goals and steadily achieving them. Sometimes it’s about rewarding and recognising achievement, as we do with Mission Fit and its medals and t-shirts for achievements. Sometimes it’s about teamwork, and people appreciating they have teammates relying on them, that they all wear the same strip and that sense of collective belonging and responsibility can keep people motivated.
“And sometimes it’s about keeping the fun and not getting too serious about it all. We set up a Wellbeing Bingo card for colleagues to complete. It includes items like ‘drink water’ and ‘walk for three minutes’ and ‘take five deep breaths’. Once they’ve completed the card, t hey’re in with a chance of winning a hamper.
“Sticking to our resolutions, whatever they are, is always difficult because making a change always is. But taking consistent, small and achievable steps towards that goal, and recognising our own progress – and celebrating that progress – is the way forward. I can’t wait to see what the people we support and colleagues achieve in 2025 – I know there will be lots to celebrate!”
For more information on our mental health and wellbeing services or to discuss a potential referral to The Spinney, please dial our 24-hour referral line on 0800 218 2398.
Alternatively, you can email us at referrals@elysiumhealthcare.co.uk or elys.referrals@nhs.net