Get WalkIN'

Good mental health and good overall health go hand-in-hand. There are many things people can do to protect or improve their mental health and reduce the risk of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Changing or maintaining your lifestyle to include regular physical activity, healthy eating, good sleep and cutting down on alcohol are all good steps. Spending time with friends and family is another.

We know that people who have strong social support networks – people they like, enjoy spending time with and feel supported by – tend to manage stress and maintain their mental wellbeing more effectively than people who are more socially disconnected and feel alone.

Group activities, such as walking, potentially offer the best of both worlds: a good dose of regular exercise and time to have fun and build friendships with others. The relationships built during these meet-ups allow walkers the opportunity to seek advice and support when they’re facing challenges or tough times. As the saying goes: a problem shared is a problem halved.

For people who are living with anxiety or depression, the hurdle of getting started and staying motivated can be hard to overcome. If you’re a friend or career of someone who would like to start walking for their mental health, there are a few ways to support them:

• Provide a structure for your walking: meet at a regular time and place.

• Encourage your friend to gradually build towards their goal.

• Create positive experiences (is there a favorite place you like to walk together?) and celebrate success.

• Don’t treat it as a problem solving or therapy session, but just use the walk to listen.

• If your friend needs additional support, talk to a professional about your concerns and direct your friend to sources of help.

https://walking.heartfoundation.org.au/whats-on/blog/walking-with-friends-is-good-for-your-heart-and-head

We want to hear from you! Click on one response to submit your answer. Responses are anonymous!

• Always walk facing oncoming traffic.
• Use the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, look for a smooth, stable surface alongside the road. If there are guardrails, see if there is a smooth, flat surface behind the barrier where you can walk. If you need to walk on a paved shoulder, stay as far away from traffic as possible.
• Be careful on bridges and narrow shoulders of the road.
• Be sure drivers can see you. Wear brightly colored clothing, and if you walk during low-light hours, such as dawn or dusk, be sure you have reflective material on your clothing or walking shoes, and carry a flashlight.

Saturday, June 6, 2026
Kiwanis - Plymouth, Indiana is hosting their annual Kids Triathalon in Centennial Park! Here is the link with more information on the event and how to register your kiddos:
https://app.givegrove.com/kids2026

Save the Date!

To find more information and register visit:

https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Culver/CulverCommunitySchoolsBoosterClubColorRun

Choose between a fun 1 mile walk/run or a 5k. The 1 mile route will run around the Culver Schools Corporation and the 5k route will run through downtown Culver. The race will start at the front of Culver Community High School, Door 32. Both routes will finish on the Culver Middle/High School football field. This will be a fun run with several color stations manned by our athletes ready to toss color powder on you as you pass by! Registration includes a white race t-shirt and neon sunglasses to wear to show off your colors! Join us for the after party on the football field!

Save the Date!

https://livewellkosciusko.org/physical-1

Mission: Live Well Kosciusko is a local nonprofit on a mission to transform lives and grow a thriving and healthy community.

This organization promotes physical well-being, financial well-being, social well-being, career & purpose well-being, and community well-being.

"As part of our dedication to fostering a vibrant and healthy community, Live Well Kosciusko partnered with local organizations to bring the Gallup Well-Being Index survey to the county in 2020. This survey offered valuable insights into the state of well-being across for Kosciusko County residents."

Download the digital guides to water and greenspaces, including trails you can walk in Kosc. Co! Check these out as you get started. https://visitkosciuskocounty.org/digital-guides/

There are plenty of activities for kids and families each day of the Fat & Skinny Tire Fest, presented by @K21 Health Foundation!

The Fat & Skinny Tire Festival also includes road bike events, kids events, casual tours and rides, entertainment, and much more. Involvement from the community is second to none in Warsaw and Winona Lake, and there are plenty of non-cycling activities for families and friends to see and do.

Check out the schedule each day and for more information visit fatandskinnytirefest.com.

Join us May 15-17th in Warsaw and Winona Lake, Indiana.

Kosciusko County Freedom Fest will celebrate America's 250th birthday in Warsaw on June 5,6,7 2026 at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds at 1400 East Smith Street, Warsaw, right on Winona Lake.

Join the Stars, Stripes & Steps Challenge or join the Freedom 5K! Information below or visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580110891106

https://link.thestepupapp.com/FFZdNB?fbclid=IwY2xjawRJ745leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe5HlvNeBM50e3Z_QgCevzd280WdLYWFS9tvfFLdaUTMa7p1R5_YDw9TwtyhY_aem_qn49lEUqiUKeDvWTMsVc0g

Date: May 16, 2026

Address: 409 IN-14, Silver Lake, IN 46982

Join the Lilly Center for a wildflower identification hike held on the beautiful trails at Wildwood Acres Land Trust. The Hike will be led by Gavin King, the regional manager for ACRES Land Trust, where he'll teach participants how to identify local wildflowers and plants.

The hike will take place on easy trails with minimal hills; however, comfortable, close-toed shoes are recommended as there will be a lot of walking. The Lilly Center will provide light snacks and identification books to borrow during the event. Spring is in full bloom, so let's celebrate its arrival by learning how to identify its lovely blossoms!

This event is underwritten by Depuy Synthes, Zimmer Biomet Foundation, and City of Warsaw Stormwater Utility.

Disclaimer: Event Photography
We often take photos at events that may be used in future Lilly Center communications. Please tell a staff member if you do not want your photo used in Lilly Center media. Event by Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams https://www.facebook.com/events/2312231295925866

To submit your steps weekly please use the Google Form link below!

https://forms.gle/AQ6PyziG6jWtiWy97

or

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMsw7ee_kQjkatpnaMkBduGnoDpgSvrWE6aEs2Yi5y0tMnmA/viewform

Input a total of steps for the entire week. You will use the same link each week but please only submit steps for the previous 1 week of steps.

**If the link is not working try copying and pasting it into the browser directly. It looks like Kosc. firewall may be blocking the link from this page***

Karen Richey

Email: krichey@purdue.edu
Website: extension.purdue.edu/Marshall
Location: 112 W Jefferson St, Plymouth, IN, USA
Phone: 574-935-8545
Facebook: facebook.com/marshallHHS

Purdue University is an Equal Access / Equal Opportunity Employer.