Watch this short video to understand how the challenge works.
| How do I join the challenge? |
|---|
Note for team captains and team members: If you already have an account from the last challenge, simply sign-in using your account information. If not, create an account with Access Code NVG_74881a |
Would you like to improve your mental and physical fitness? Does your mood need a boost?
Join the 8-week Mood Booster Challenge which starts February 20th to learn and put into practice techniques that will provide you with the tools for a physical, mental, and emotional boost. As with previous challenges, exercise will remain the cornerstone of the mission.
We hope you join us to boost your mood!
What is this challenge about?
The objective of the Healthier Together Challenge: Mood Booster Edition, is to promote physical activity and provide employees with tools for resiliency all while connecting with their peers. Last year, more than 600 employees participated and accumulated over 204 million steps. This is equivalent to walking 4 times around the world! You can also read more about one of the past challenges in this article.
How does it work?
Using a user-friendly online platform or app (nVIGORus), teams of 4 or more engage in a friendly competition against other McGill teams in a virtual race across Canada!
Participants collect points by engaging with others, reading daily tips, practicing mood booster activities, and tracking movement. Any activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, walking, running, dancing – even vacuuming, count towards cumulating points and increasing your team’s position on the leader board. The winning team gets bragging rights!
NEW THIS YEAR – Grow your team! Teams will receive 100,000 bonus points for every additional team member who completes the challenge over the initial five members. For example, a team of 10 can receive up to 500,000 bonus points. This is a great opportunity to convince colleagues who were hesitant to participate in the past to join this year!
Why should I participate?
The reasons are endless - but they include connecting with colleagues, team building, boosting morale, learning healthy tips and strategies, and boosting your mood. This challenge has also been scientifically proven to improve physical activity levels, decrease stress and improve sleep.
Team captains who complete the challenge have a chance to win a prize valued at $100. Please email healthandwellbeing.hr [at] mcgill.ca to enter the draw.
FAQ
I am older and/or have a disability that makes it difficult to exercise, can I still participate?
You should definitely participate! In order to improve fairness and encourage participation, extra points will be awarded for the steps counts of certain age groups. These adjustments are based on population physical activity levels in North America.
In addition, if you have a disability, you will get ever more points
➢ 15% bonus steps for participants with a minor disability that impacts their ability to perform physical activity
➢ 30% bonus steps for participants with a major disability that impacts their ability to perform physical activity.
How time-consuming is this challenge?
Aside from the self-assessments which may take about 15 minutes, participating in the challenge requires little time. All you need is to track your physical activity and read the tip of the day, which takes less than 2 minutes. You can also download the app on your phone to making tracking easier.
What does it mean to be a Team Captain?
- Recruit at least 4 teammates (more is even better).
- Use the tools provided in the platform to motivate your team.
- Keep your team informed of updates received by the program coordinator.
- You don’t have to be a fitness buff! The best Team Captains are those who engage with their team and lead by example.
What is the Assessment?
You will need to complete a self-assessment and evaluate your well-being at the beginning and end of the challenge on: mood, stress, sleep, fitness and brain age. At the end of the challenge, you will see how your physical activity and mood booster activities impacted your well-being.
Each assessment includes complementary resources to educate the participant on that aspect of their health. These reading materials provide key information that is scientifically proven and currently recommended by health professionals. You will be provided with daily tips from the organizers to help you on your journey.
As you track your progress throughout the challenge, you will receive important feedback to support healthy behaviour change.
How does the challenge help me connect with colleagues?
A message board allows you to encourage your peers, and you can view how other McGill teams are doing.
What types of activities can I enter into the platform?
You can record almost any type of movement. From gardening to vacuuming to yoga or walking. The platform encourages many different types of physical activity and provides suggestions as to how you can incorporate more movement and make healthier choices.
Do I need a wearable device?
The platform syncs with a wearable tracking device, but you can enter many different types of activities accurately and very easily into the platform without one.
What is a virtual racecourse?
As you and your team collect point, you will be able to see your team advance on a virtual map, compare your location to other teams, and reach various landmarks along the way.
What happens if I forget to track?
You can easily go back in and enter your activity later, although it is encouraged to check-in briefly every day to see your team’s progress and connect with your teammates.
