Being physically active has been proven to have a positive impact on your wellbeing*. It can help to improve your brain health, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.
So, what is physical activity?
Basically, physical activity means any movement of the body that uses your muscles and uses energy. The recommendation for the average adult is between 75-150 minutes of exercise per week. That could be walking, cycling, or skipping. Any activity that raises your heart rate will do.
And what is wellbeing?
Wellbeing includes lots of different factors and doesn’t have one definition. But it could include things like feeling well in yourself and being able to function well, feeling connected to your surroundings, and having a sense of value and purpose.
Being physically active can help you to lead a happier and healthier life, which in turn has a positive impact on your wellbeing.
Where to start
Now we understand how physical activity can improve your wellbeing, where can you start on your journey to improving your health and wellbeing?
A good starting point could be to aim for 2.5 hours over one week of moderate activity, which could be broken down into 5 days of 30 minutes.
Once you have a plan, think about any barriers that might crop up and hinder your journey. It could be cost, the weather, or a general lack of energy after a long day. Work out how you will overcome these barriers – if you are concerned about money, commit to walking in the know that it will cost you nothing other than your time.
And then, make time. Work out when you’ll fit in your exercise around your other commitments. If you’re seeing a friend in the evening, you know that you need to fit your exercise in before uni or work, or on your lunch break.
Then we would recommend tracking your progress. This could be done through something like the NHS tools, a diary, or just the notes section of your phone.
And finally, once you’ve got into the swing of things, it would be a good idea to set yourself some goals to keep you motivated on your fitness journey. Start small, such as achieving 10,000 on several of your activity days, and gradually build it up at your own pace.
Written by the Warehouse Team
*Source: Mental Health Foundation.
