This year's Wellness Challenge; running for the ninth year, is taking into account not only the current COVID-19 pandemic but also the mental health challenges that social-isolation and anxiety can bring.

Val Choo Foo, the city's in Motion Community Facilitator says that while the program will look similar to previous years, the always-included educational component is going to lean heavily into the mental wellness aspect.

"There's kind of a different theme on mindfulness, calmness, acceptance and then gratitude and doing random acts of kindness.  So hopefully by focusing on that it will help people during the Wellness Challenge beyond the physical and nutrition too."

Within the limitations of COVID-19 restrictions, some of the team aspects of the challenge may have to take place a little differently, however, Choo Foo believes that the Wellness Challenge is one of the few activities that can still be successful even within the current health climate.  While much of the fun of the challenge in years past resided in getting together as a group to encourage each other by perhaps exercising together or cooking a healthy meal together, she says that technology like Zoom and social media can create many creative ways to keep that connection to a team from the comfort and safety of one's own home.

Failing that, she adds, there's no reason that a person couldn't sign up as an individual, with the only downside being that they wouldn't qualify for the team awards.

The Wellness Challenge will be running from January 18 - February 14, 2021.

Interested teams or individuals can register by emailing v.choofoo@swiftcurrent.ca.

This year, Choo Foo says they are adding a Facebook event to the challenge, which all team captains will have access to.

The deadline for registering is January 13, 2021.  However, Choo Foo calls the deadline a "soft" one.

"It's to encourage people to kind of get organized, (though) I never really turn anyone away.  The disadvantage, if you come in late, is that you're just not going to get as many points because you haven't been in it for the first day or two."

Choo Foo also acknowledged the support of the Kiwanis Club, citing their continued support of the challenge each year.