We all know that exercise and the benefits of fitness include improving our physical health, but did you know that it can also affect our mental health?
Regular physical activity is known to improve our quality of life and overall wellbeing. A quick 10-minute walk can boost your mood and energy, as well as make you feel more alert.
You don’t need fancy gym equipment either, it’s easy to care for your wellbeing and exercise at home. Here are some simple ‘moments for movement’ tips you can follow to add a bit more activity to your daily routine:
- If taking a bus, why not get off a stop or two early and walk part of the way? If driving, you could always park a little further away from where you’re going
- Take the stairs instead of the lift or escalator
- Practice relaxation breathing. Breathing exercises can help you relax and are among the best ways to reduce stress in your body. This is because when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to relax and calm down
- Why not use the time you spend waiting to move more? When you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, for your kids to come out of school or the bus to arrive
- Spend more time with your family by going on regular family walks.
To find out more about looking after your wellbeing and mental health, visit our Better Days myWellbeing webpage. You can also find out more about Togetherall, our free Better Days myWellbeing mental health support service. Togetherall offers you free, round-the-clock mental health support through an online peer support community. They provide a safe and anonymous online space where you can connect with a global community of others through shared lived experiences. It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and moderated by real, live, licensed professionals.
