The magic of community runs and moving together
I know many of us have had days where we just felt a specific kind of heavy. The kind of heavy that makes you want to stay home, close all your doors, pull the blankets over your head and just disappear for a while. We’ve all been there. When life gets overwhelming our first instinct is to hide because we believe that isolation is the safest place.
But what if I told you, it’s the exact opposite.
What if I told you that there is power in just showing up. I know it sounds intimidating especially when you’re carrying a heavy mental load. However, showing up doesn’t mean you have to show up perfectly. It’s not about being the loudest person in the room, being the happiest, or the fastest, or having your life completely figured out. It’s just about putting your feet in a place where other people are moving in the same direction. It’s the quiet magic of a community run or neighborhood walk.
Sometimes it can be a struggle to find the words to describe to someone how much you’re hurting; it can be exhausting having those face-to-face conversations.
That’s why moving together is so different. When you join a community run, a casual 5k or a community walk, you move shoulder to shoulder. You don’t have to explain yourself. You don’t have to give a speech about your mental health. You just match your pace with the person next to you. And when you look to your left and then to your right, there is a profound relief in realizing “I am not alone in this space.” Every step you take alongside someone else is a reminder that we are designed to share the road. The rhythm from feet hitting the pavement creating that collective heartbeat, tells your brain that you belong to something bigger than your own heavy thoughts.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness month and while we absolutely need the clinical tools, the hotlines, and the deep conversations, we also need spaces where we can simply live and breathe together.
Events like local community runs or outdoor gatherings do something incredible by pulling mental wellness out of the shadows and into the sunlight. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Slime Fun Run on September 19th. If you couldn’t make it, don’t sweat it. There are plenty of walks, runs, and gatherings on the horizon, and our community will be ready to welcome you to the next Slime Run.
So, if your brain is telling you to hide today, maybe take that as a gentle nudge to do the opposite. Find a local community event or even a friend who will walk the block with you. Don’t worry about how far you’ll go or how fast you’ll get there. Don’t worry if you don’t feel like talking. Just lace your shoes, step out the front door and show up. There is a whole community waiting to move forward with you.
Here’s to your good health!
It’s okay not to feel okay.
If you or someone you know has been struggling with their emotions, behaviors, or substance use please reach out to us. We can help you find appropriate tools and services that could help you overcome obstacles in your life. We are here for you. Please contact the Southern Ute Behavioral Health Division at 970.563.5700 for more information or to set up an appointment to see a counselor or therapist.
Reminder: If you need to talk to someone, please reach out.
And for those interested in opioid use education, harm reduction, and support, please contact us for quick Naloxone (Narcan) training and fentanyl test strips. We can schedule individual, family, or friends training times at our Southern Ute Behavioral Health Building, or we can come to you, and the training is around 30 minutes. Please call us at 970.563.5700 to set up a training appointment.
Brianna Henderson is the Suicide and Substance Use Prevention Coordinator for the Southern Ute Behavioral Health Division.