In an innovative move to shake off the sluggishness often associated with the start of the week, the University of Adelaide’s Professor Kevin Dutton – a leading figure in the Public Understanding of Psychology – has found a way to transform the way we approach Mondays.
Dubbed the Monday Morning Mile, the initiative calls for individuals to escape the comfort of their beds and embrace the week with vigor and enthusiasm.
The Monday Morning Mile is set to be a weekly staple for those looking to infuse their Mondays with energy and purpose. This free event will take place at the picturesque Uni Loop in Warnpangga/Park 10, North Adelaide, offering a scenic backdrop for participants to jog, run, or even dance their way into the new week.
The genesis of this initiative lies in Professor Dutton’s critique of the increasingly popular Bare Minimum Mondays, a trend where individuals permit themselves a sluggish start to the week and ease into work and responsibilities.
“Everything we do sends out a message to other people and, most importantly, to ourselves. If we start our week hiding in bed, we’re sending out a message that Monday is a bully, and we’re letting it push us around,” he said
“If we adopt what I call an ‘attacking mindset’, we start the week on our terms, not Monday’s terms. We take control of the rest of the day, we take control of the week, and we start taking control of our lives.”
Beyond the psychological uplift, the initiative is grounded in solid research highlighting the myriad benefits of running to both mental health and cognitive function. Citing studies from West Michigan University and Nottingham Trent University, Professor Dutton points out the positive impact of running on brain function and behavior adaptation, underscoring the physical and mental synergy that running cultivates.
“It’s easy to forget that one of the biggest mental health benefits of running is that it offers you a chance to run with others, to chat and to feel part of a broader community,” Professor Dutton said.
Open to everyone, the initiative encourages participants to engage in the activity in any form that gets them moving—be it running, walking, or even skipping. The goal is clear: to get out of bed and seize the day with both hands.
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