Physical exercise is a great stress-reliever, and teens these days are under a lot of stress. So when two Evanston Township High School students were looking for healthy ways to deal with their anxiety, they developed a program called Moving Your Mind, movingyourmind.com. Free, monthly classes for local teens combine physical activity — from indoor cycling to boxing to yoga — with mental health awareness. “We both wanted an outlet where we could work out with our friends, have fun and be less stressed,” says Mia Levitsky, who co-founded the group with her friend, Meaghan Haughey.
The two wanted to help get rid of the stigma associated with anxiety. In addition to the physical activity, they hand out mental health resource information, so teens know where to go if they need help. And Mia’s mom, social worker Rachel Levitsky, is there if a teen needs to talk.
Anne is a journalist, Zendou martial artist and former bike racer who enjoys training, coaching, writing, and good craft beer.
