Get Active

It’s time to get active!  Research shows that exercise can improve your health, confidence and quality of life. It is a great stress buster and as well as helping you keep the weight off, it will lower your risk of developing major chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

Physical activity can also boost mental wellbeing and change your outlook on life. It can help people with anxiety and depression and might even prevent such problems from developing in the first place.

At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, five or more days a week is all it takes for you to reap the health benefits. Children and young people need to be active for at least an hour every day, for example through active play, sport or walking to and from school.

If you find it difficult to fit exercise into your busy day, a brisk walk, jog or even energetic cleaning are simple ways you can make up your 30 minutes. You could even join a local gym or sports club and make getting fit a social occasion.

The benefits of physical activity include:

• Better health.
• More energy.
• Reduced stress.
• Stronger bones and muscles.
• Better balance, strength, suppleness and mobility.
• Improved sleep.
• Improved body shape.
• Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.
• More social opportunities.
• A sense of achievement.
• More independence in later life.