U.S. VA promotes #MindfulMay

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs used its social media feed on May 16 to push a #MindfulMay message tied to physical activity and Whole Health resources, according to VA materials reviewed Sunday. The post directed readers to agency content that encourages movement through familiar activities rather than formal exercise alone. (news.va.gov) The linked material fits with VA’s May 2026 healthy-living theme, “Be Physically Active,” listed by the department’s National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. The agency’s Whole Health pages also frame mindfulness as a practice that can include movement, music, yoga and other daily routines. ### What did the VA point people to? (va.gov) A VA News post dated May 11, 2026, titled “Live Whole Health #317: Moving your body to ‘feel good!’,” tells readers that “moving the body is important to your Whole Health—no matter how you do it.” The article describes movement as any activity that uses energy to move large muscles and says different activities can build stamina, strength, flexibility or balance. The May 11 article centers on an 18-minute video led by Matthew G. Lloyd, identified by VA as a neurologic music therapist at the VA Central Iowa Healthcare System. VA said Lloyd plays classic country music on guitar while leading warm-ups and gentle exercises aimed at the core, lower-body strength, endurance and motor control. (prevention.va.gov) ### Why was music part of a mindfulness push? A separate VA News article published February 5, 2024, under the #LiveWholeHealth series says music “activates many of the brain’s regions and networks” and can support well-being, quality of life and memory. That piece says adding simple movement creates a “brain-body activity” and points readers to VA creative arts therapies. (news.va.gov) The 2024 article also uses the same “Music and Movement” format, again featuring Lloyd and the VA Central Iowa health system. VA said music therapists use listening, singing, playing, creating and improvising to support treatment goals tied to physical, emotional, cognitive and social health. (news.va.gov) ### How does VA define mindfulness in this program? VA’s Whole Health “Mindful Awareness” page says mindfulness means paying attention “on purpose, in the present moment, and without judgment.” The page says mindfulness can improve well-being by reducing stress, building resilience, helping manage pain, and improving focus, anxiety and depression. (news.va.gov) The same VA page says formal and informal mindfulness practices can include meditation, grounding, guided imagery, art and music. It also names yoga, Tai Chi and qigong as activities that combine mindfulness with physical movement, allowing people to strengthen mind and body at the same time. (news.va.gov) ### How does this fit into VA’s broader 2026 calendar? VA’s Healthy Living Monthly Topic Schedule lists May 2026 as “Be Physically Active.” That schedule is published by the department’s National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and places physical activity alongside other monthly themes such as sleep, alcohol use and stress management later in the year. (va.gov) The Whole Health program gives veterans additional digital entry points beyond a single post. VA’s virtual-resources page says users can access the Live Whole Health app, videos and podcast episodes designed to support a Whole Health journey. (va.gov) ### Where can veterans go next? VA’s Mindful Awareness page says many VA medical centers offer in-person or virtual mindfulness-related activities and tells veterans to contact their local facility for Whole Health offerings. The page also links to the Mindfulness Coach app and other short mindfulness exercises. (prevention.va.gov) VA’s Whole Health video library includes guided sessions on body scans, breathing, chair yoga, joint mobility and music-and-movement exercises. The department’s outreach-events page separately lists events for veterans, caregivers, service members and families seeking wellness programs and other VA resources. (va.gov 1) (va.gov 2) (va.gov 3)