Staying Active

Given the importance of staying active for the physical and mental health benefits in the current climate, here are some tips, advice and guidance on how to keep or get active in and around your home.

You can go outside to exercise as many times a day as you want, including for a walk, a run or a cycle, if you're well enough and as long as you’re on your own, with members of your household, or in a group of two with one person from another household. Please always follow the latest official advice on social distancing - which means staying more than two metres from others - and follow the advice on general hygiene. It's important that you stick stringently to the guidance.

If you're going outside to get fresh air and to get active, you should try to do so locally, but you can travel to exercise, as long as you're able to follow the guidelines.

 

Walking

Walking is one of the easiest ways to get active, if you have some space and are able to follow the government guidelines on social distancing.

Find out a bit more about its benefits and take a look at some other useful resources. More about walking

 

Couch to 5K

Couch to 5k is a nine-week programme of podcasts that does exactly what it says on the tin - taking you from the couch to running 5kms.

Consisting of three runs a week, the programme gradually builds up intensity and gives you a choice of coaches - from the NHS's Laura, to multiple Olympic champion Michael Johnson. Couch to 5k

 

Active 10

The Active 10 app, from the NHS, is a great way to help you monitor and gradually increase your brisk walking levels over time. If you’re feeling anxious in these uncertain times you could also consider some of the walking meditations from Headspace. It's available to download via the Apple's App Store and Google Play Active 10

 

Cycling

Alongside walking and running, cycling is one of the simplest ways to get active outside and can be done with the whole family.

British Cycling have created Let's Ride Local to encourage safe and responsible cycling - the website includes tips and advice on riding locally, as well as instructions on teaching children how to ride. Let's Ride local 

Good luck – and if you’d like to share your experiences, please contact Shona Malcolm.