Each year in May the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) celebrates National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. ODPHP recognizes the myriad benefits that an active lifestyle can offer to all Americans, regardless of age, ability, health status, or fitness level, and works to educate all people about these benefits.
Low levels of regular physical activity have coincided with an alarming increase in the prevalence of chronic illnesses and mental health disorders. Engaging in more physical activity not only helps prevent the development of conditions like heart disease and diabetes but also enhances physical fitness and contributes significantly to mental well-being by reducing the effects of stress and anxiety and improving sleep quality. For school-aged children, sports participation can lead to better focus in class, higher grades, improved self-esteem, and a much-needed sense of social connection.
Given these incredible benefits, we encourage you to celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month with us by finding ways to move more this May! You can also look for opportunities to spread the word about the benefits of being active. ODPHP has great resources to help individuals and communities get moving (literally!) towards better overall health and mental well-being.
- Follow ODPHP at @HealthGov and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition at @FitnessGov on Twitter/X.
- Celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month by encouraging people in your community to find a way they like to get moving. Get started by sharing our Move Your Way resources.
- Visit our Move Your Way microsite for videos, fact sheets, inspirational stories, and interactive tools including a customizable Activity Planner.
- When you share your posts about physical activity, use the hashtags #MoveInMay and #MoveYourWay (and feel free to tag us!).
- Sign up for email updates so you can get notified when we post new information and resources related to physical activity. Then you can share with your community members!
