RED January is coming to Canada

Have you heard of RED January? This inspiring movement, which started in the UK in 2016, is now expanding to Canada, and Canada is the first country outside of the UK to embrace this health movement. If you’ve been trying to encourage your loved ones to get moving, or are looking for more motivation this winter, the Rise Every Day (RED) January project may be just what you need. 

RED January was founded in the U.K. by Hannah Beecham after she witnessed the detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle on her mother’s mental health. The program is designed to inspire people to make real habit changes and incorporate physical activity into their daily lives. Since its inception, RED January has gained increasing support each year, with participants committing to getting active every day throughout January to support their mental well-being.

Now, for the first time, RED January is coming to Canada, led by health coach Janet Omstead in partnership with the GenWell Project, led by Peter Bombaci. The initiative aims to break down barriers to physical activity, especially during the challenging winter months, when 64 per cent of Canadians are inactive and 50 per cent regularly experience feelings of loneliness.

How does RED January work?

Getting involved in RED January is simple. Once you sign up, you can download your calendar and set your movement challenge–this could be running, walking, swimming or any other activity that you enjoy. You then have the option to create a team and share your movement challenge with your friends and family, encouraging them to sign up and join you in your quest. 

The final step is to fundraise. The charity partner for the campaign is the GenWell Project, which works to address social isolation, disconnection and loneliness through the power of human connection.

The power of movement

The main message behind RED January in Canada is to forget about short-lived new year’s resolutions and instead focus on making lifelong changes. Whether it’s running, walking, or engaging in any other physical activity, the aim is to get people moving together. 

“Over the years, I’ve noticed that exercise is often the first thing to get moved to the bottom of the “to-do” list,” says Omstead. “People struggle with finding the time to exercise, and it’s become more of a chore or an obligation. Yet movement is one of the most fundamental pieces of health, because physical activity is a magic pill for thriving. RED January starts your year right by encouraging you to move your way every day and find a friend, neighbour or coworker to do it with you. It’s simple, free to join and fun!”

To sign up or learn more about the campaign, visit the RED January website. Grab your friends and family and start your journey toward improved mental and physical health in 2024.