Move Your Mood: A Wholistic Evidence-Based Approach to Enhancing Physical and Mental Well-Being in Adolescence [Executive Summary]

Adolescence can be a stressful and difficult period in an individual’s life and, and as such programs which support adolescents throughout this period are crucial. Move Your Mood is a program which seeks to enhance adolescent well-being through pillars that touch on multiple aspects of an individual’s life. These pillars focus on improving the ability to be present and mindful (Practice Mindfulness), encouraging physical activity (Move Your Body), maintaining a well-balanced and nutrient rich diet (Fuel Your Body) and building positive coping strategies (Expand Your Mind). Each of these pillars were developed from and continue to be supported by a strong evidence base for how each of these habits are beneficial to adolescent well-being. The current literature review discusses recent research regarding the impacts these pillars can have on adolescent well-being. Each pillar provides unique benefits to mental and physical well-being for adolescents, and teaching youth these beneficial practices allows them to continue to utilize them throughout their lives, demonstrating the importance of the Move Your Mood program.