ASICS and Golin take a daring step in promoting mental health awareness

ASICS and Golin take a daring step in promoting mental health awareness

World Mental Health Day saw the launch of the ASICS Desk Break campaign, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing the negative impact of sedentary work on mental health. The campaign, fronted by renowned scientist Brian Cox, highlights the benefits of incorporating regular movement breaks during office work.

The Desk Break campaign was inspired by ASICS' mission to encourage movement for mental health and their 2024 State of Mind study findings. The study revealed a strong connection between sedentary behaviour and mental wellbeing, with State of Mind scores declining the longer individuals remain inactive.

The campaign addresses the issue of lack of movement in the workplace, similar to how ASICS' previous project, Dramatic Transformation, addressed a toxic exercise culture. The collaboration between ASICS and Golin for the Dramatic Transformation project influenced the creative approach for the Desk Break campaign.

The campaign features Brian Cox as the 'world's scariest boss' warning about the hidden perils of a sedentary work life. Research shows that two hours of desk work can significantly dampen mental state, but 15 minutes of physical activity can boost mood by over 20%. Participants in the campaign showed a 22.5% increase in their State of Mind scores, indicating better overall mental health. They also felt 33% more relaxed and 28.6% more resilient after taking regular 15-minute movement breaks during work.

Stress levels dropped by 14.7% among employees who took the movement breaks, demonstrating the potential for these breaks to alleviate work-related stress. Productivity increased by 33.2%, and focus improved by 28.6%, showing that short breaks for movement can significantly boost work efficiency and concentration.

Nearly 80% of participants said they would feel more loyal to employers who offer movement breaks as part of their work culture, suggesting such initiatives can improve employee retention and satisfaction. ASICS has changed its own employment contracts to give its staff the right to exercise for their mind daily and is offering this to other businesses through the Desk Break Clause.

The Desk Break Clause provides a legal framework for movement breaks in workplaces, with more than 60 companies adopting this clause across 37 countries. The campaign received public endorsement from the WHO Director-General, reflecting its broad acceptance and potential for lasting change.

ASICS champions mental health through movement and has long-term partnerships with mental health charities like Mind and Mind US. The company encourages its own staff to take daily movement breaks and hopes other businesses will follow suit. ASICS is urging workers worldwide to step away, get active, and join the #DeskBreak movement.

In summary, the ASICS Desk Break campaign proves that regular movement breaks during office work lead to lower stress, better mental health, higher productivity, improved focus, and greater employee loyalty. The campaign not only demonstrates scientifically measurable benefits but also creatively fosters a cultural shift by making movement breaks a workplace norm, combining practical health improvements with strong social and corporate advocacy.

[1] ASICS Desk Break Campaign: https://www.asics.com/uk/en-gb/news/asics-desk-break-campaign/ [2] ASICS Desk Break Clause: https://www.asics.com/uk/en-gb/news/asics-desk-break-clause/ [3] ASICS State of Mind Study: https://www.asics.com/uk/en-gb/news/asics-state-of-mind-study/

1. The ASICS Desk Break campaign, launched on World Mental Health Day, is a groundbreaking initiative focusing on the detrimental effects of sedentary work on mental health.
2. The campaign, backed by renowned scientist Brian Cox, reveals the benefits of incorporating regular movement breaks during office work, including improved mental state and increased productivity.
3. ASICS' Desk Break campaign is rooted in their mission to promote movement for mental health, drawing insights from their 2024 State of Mind study.
4. The Dramatic Transformation project, a previous collaboration between ASICS and Golin, influenced the creative approach for the Desk Break campaign, targeting toxic exercise culture.
5. The Desk Break campaign received public endorsement from the WHO Director-General, indicating its potential to bring lasting changes in the workplace culture, especially concerning mental health.
6. Companies adopting the Desk Break Clause, a legal framework for movement breaks, can expect improved employee retention and satisfaction, as demonstrated by the ASICS campaign.

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