May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. It’s the perfect time to highlight the many health benefits of physical activity and empower people to get moving.
Physical activity is essential to maintaining good health, reducing the risk of many chronic diseases, and supporting overall mental well-being. Regular physical activity can help people:
- Reduce stress and care for their mental health
- Get better quality sleep
- Perform at their best at school or work
- Strengthen social connections
- Lower their risk for serious health conditions, like heart disease and diabetes
This May, join ODPHP's efforts to encourage people to be more active. ODPHP has many resources that can help. Here are a few ways to get started.
- Promote National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
- Share ODPHP’s physical activity resources
- Plan a campaign, program, or event
Promote National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
Use the following resources to spread the word about the observance on social media, in newsletters, in blogs, and through other communication channels.
Social media graphics and posts
Use ODPHP's social media graphics and posts to spread the word within your professional network. Be sure to use the hashtags #MoveInMay and #MoveYourWay to boost your post’s visibility.
May is National Physical Fitness & Sports Month! Find resources to spread the word and encourage people to #MoveInMay: odphp.health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/move-your-way-community-resources/national-physical-fitness-and-sports-month
This May, we're celebrating National Physical Fitness & Sports Month by encouraging everyone in our community to find a fun way to get active. Join in and start sharing resources to inspire people to #MoveInMay: odphp.health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/move-your-way-community-resources/national-physical-fitness-and-sports-monthNewsletter or blog content
Include this blurb in your organization’s newsletter or blog to promote National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and share ODPHP’s physical activity resources.
Did you know May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month? It’s the perfect time to get moving toward better health and help others do the same! Staying active can help:
- Reduce stress
- Support focus and mental well-being
- Improve sleep
- Strengthen social connections
- Prevent serious health conditions like heart disease and diabetes
Use #MoveInMay to join the conversation on social media! Explore odphp.health.gov/MoveYourWay to learn more about the benefits of physical activity and discover fun ways to get moving.
Share ODPHP’s physical activity resources
ODPHP offers many resources that can help people make physical activity a part of their daily lives. From kids and teens to older adults, our resources align with the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and offer something for people at every stage of life. Check out these popular resources to share during May and throughout the year.
- Kids and teens
- Parents
- Coaches and sports organizations
- During and after pregnancy
- Adults
- Older adults
- All ages
Resources for kids and teens
Kids and teens need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Getting enough physical activity can mean better sleep, better moods, and better grades.
Educate kids about physical activity by sharing the 60 Minutes a Day fact sheet and poster.
Use this social media post to encourage kids and teens to get more physical activity this month.
It’s National Physical Fitness & Sports Month! That means it’s the perfect time to help the #kids in your life get moving. Use #MoveYourWay resources to help kids understand that lots of things count as physical activity—and it all adds up! odphp.health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/move-your-way-community-resources/campaign-materials/materials-kids-and-teens
Promote physical activity at school
Check out the Move Your Way Toolkit for Schools. It’s got everything needed to encourage students to move more, like strategies to promote physical activity throughout the school day, project planning tips, educational materials for parents and caregivers, and more.
Resources for parents
Parents know that kids and teens need physical activity to grow up strong and healthy. And when parents and caregivers move with their kids, the whole family benefits!
Support parents by sharing Move Your Way fact sheets with information about how much physical activity kids need and the many benefits of playing sports.
Use these graphics and posts to reach parents on social media.
Calling all parents: It’s National Physical Fitness & Sports Month! #DYK the benefits of #YouthSports go way beyond physical health? Check out this #MoveYourWay resource to learn more: odphp.health.gov/sites/default/files/2021-04/PAG_YSS_FactSheet_4.26.21_0.pdf #MoveInMay
Parents: Did you know? Kids and teens need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Learn more about how your kids can #MoveInMay this National Physical Fitness & Sports Month: odphp.health.gov/MoveYourWay#parents #MoveYourWay
Coaches and sports organizations: Help youth get the benefits of physical activity
For many kids, participating in youth sports is a fun way to get moving with friends. Sports also provide opportunities for kids to develop patience, leadership, teamwork, and stress management skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month is a great time to highlight the benefits of youth sports, including ways sports can support youth mental health. Use this social media graphic and post to spread the word.
Research shows that youth who play sports have higher self-esteem — and stronger social skills, better concentration, and better #MentalHealth. This National Physical Fitness & Sports Month, check out these 10 tips to support youth mental health through sports: odphp.health.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/Youth%20Sports%20Infographic_2022.05_508c.pdf #MoveYourWay #MoveInMay #NationalYouthSportsStrategy You can also:
- Browse the National Youth Sports Strategy (NYSS) to learn more about trends, barriers, and opportunities
- Get inspired by NYSS Champions promoting youth sports in their communities
- Start the process for your organization to become an NYSS Champion
Resources to help people stay active during and after pregnancy
Physical activity is safe and healthy during and after pregnancy. Moving more can boost energy, improve moods, and lower stress. It can even make labor shorter and recovery faster.
Share Move Your Way fact sheets to help people understand the amounts and types of physical activity needed during pregnancy and after they give birth.
You can also use these social media graphics and posts to reach new and expecting parents.
#PhysicalActivity is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. This National Physical Fitness & Sports Month, learn all about being active when you’re pregnant: odphp.health.gov/MoveYourWay#during-after-pregnancy #MoveYourWay #MoveInMay
Want to #GetActive again after having a baby? Try adding a bit more walking to your day — even 5 minutes can have real health benefits! This National Physical Fitness & Sports Month, explore more activity tips that can help new parents #MoveinMay: odphp.health.gov/MoveYourWay#during-after-pregnancy #MoveYourWay
Health care providers: Use these messages to support pregnant or postpartum patients
As a health care provider, it can be challenging to talk about physical activity during short pre- and post-natal visits. Discover Move Your Way tips and talking points to help you start the conversation.
Resources for adults
Physical activity can boost adults’ moods, sharpen focus, lower stress, and improve sleep — and all of that can add up to better daily lives.
This May, encourage adults to improve their well-being by moving more. Help them take the next step by making a personalized physical activity plan based on their needs.
Share these social media graphics and posts to inspire adults to get moving.
What’s the best way to get active? Whatever gets you moving! Learn about the benefits of #PhysicalActivity and get ready to #MoveInMay this National Physical Fitness & Sports Month: odphp.health.gov/MoveYourWay #MoveYourWay
Did you clean your house? Walk the dog? Work in the garden? That all counts as #PhysicalActivity! Looking to get active this National Physical Fitness & Sports Month? Use the #MoveYourWay Activity Planner to build a weekly plan — chores included! Check it out: odphp.health.gov/MoveYourWay/Activity-Planner #MoveInMayResources for older adults
Physical activity can make it easier to do everyday tasks, ease pain, help manage health problems, and lower the risk of falls. Moving more can help older adults stay independent and healthy.
Share Move Your Way fact sheets to help older adults prioritize physical activity and get the right mix of aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and balance activities.
Encourage older adults to get moving with these social media graphics and posts.
Physical activity isn’t just for young people. #OlderAdults need regular physical activity to stay healthy, too! Use #MoveYourWay’s tool to find fun activities and build a personalized plan this National Physical Fitness & Sports Month: odphp.health.gov/MoveYourWay/Activity-Planner #MoveInMay
As you age, getting active can help you keep doing the things you love. This National Physical Fitness & Sports Month, use these #MoveYourWay tips to enhance your balance, strength, and overall well-being: odphp.health.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/PAG_MYW_FactSheet_OlderAdults_07-08_508c.pdf #MoveInMay
Do you work with older adults?
ODPHP’s Healthy Aging initiative offers many resources for older adults and professionals who support them. Explore resources from the Healthy Aging initiative to use and share with older patients or community members.
Resources for people of all ages
Staying active can help people of all ages improve their physical and mental health. You can use and share these resources with people of all ages:
- The Move Your Way website features physical activity resources for people at every stage of life in one convenient, easy-to-browse place.
- MyHealthfinder offers trusted information to help people of all ages care for their health, including a section on physical activity.
Health care providers: Start the conversation about physical activity with your patients
This May, take a few moments to educate your patients about the health benefits of physical activity — and equip them with the tools to get moving! Check out this Move Your Way fact sheet with tips and talking points to help you start the conversation.
Encourage your patients to choose activities they enjoy and make a plan to stay active. You can share the Move Your Way Activity planner to help your patients plan a physical activity routine that works for their needs.
Plan a campaign, program, or event
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month is an ideal time to plan a campaign, program, or event in your community — and ODPHP has free resources to help you get started.
Move Your Way Community Playbook
The Move Your Way Community Playbook is a comprehensive implementation guide to help you and your organization plan, conduct, and evaluate physical activity programs, activities, and events. Use its campaign launch task list, budgeting tips, implementation tracker, and guidance for evaluating challenges and successes resources to launch a multi-phased, physical activity communication campaign.
Healthy People evidence-based resources and objectives
Healthy People 2030 provides hundreds of evidence-based resources and interventions to help you address public health priorities, including physical activity. Use these resources to develop your organization’s physical activity programs and initiatives. You can also explore Healthy People 2030 objectives to learn how Americans’ activity levels have changed over time, as well as discover how best to align your efforts with a specific state and territorial health improvement plan.
