Laura Muir Leads Winter Campaign Against Seasonal Affective Disorder

Olympian Laura Muir is launching a campaign aimed at encouraging Scots to engage in physical activity this winter to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The 1500m runner has partnered with sports supplement brand Move Pre Workout for its “Move Through It” initiative, which supports the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). This campaign comes at a time when mental health issues affect approximately one in four people in the UK each year, with SAD impacting around two million individuals, according to the NHS.

The “Move Through It” campaign promotes practical steps to improve mental well-being regardless of the weather. Muir, who hails from Milnathort, Kinross-shire, stated, “Part of you knows it’s going to be hard, wet, and cold, but there is also something really rewarding about it.” She emphasized the mental and physical benefits of exercise, particularly in adverse conditions, noting, “When you come back from a session in horrible conditions, it’s even more rewarding. You feel so much better physically and mentally for having gone and done it.”

Muir, who has garnered multiple titles in the women’s 1,500m event, including gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, encourages individuals to train with friends. She explained, “If you’re meeting someone, you’re committed to that person, so you can’t not show. It also can be much safer than running alone, especially for women.”

The initiative is particularly timely, as the colder months can exacerbate feelings of isolation and depression for many. Muir’s message seeks to foster community connections through sport, making it easier for people to stay active during winter.

Move Pre Workout, based in Edinburgh, is taking tangible steps to support mental health initiatives by donating £1 from every tub or carton sold during the campaign to SAMH. Additionally, all profits from specially created t-shirts and bundles will also contribute to the charity, further amplifying the campaign’s reach and impact.

Muir, a silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, recently finished fifth in the final at the Paris Olympics, achieving a new personal best. Her advocacy for mental health awareness through physical activity aligns with her athletic philosophy, highlighting resilience not just in performance, but in daily life as well.

As the winter season progresses, Muir’s campaign stands as a reminder of the importance of community, movement, and mental health, encouraging Scots to embrace physical activity as a powerful tool against SAD.