Today's focus is 'Be Active', as regular activity is known to boost your mood, reduce anxiety and encourage healthy habits. Regular exercise is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups, and it is essential for promoting wellbeing. Exercise doesn't need to be intense for you to feel good, as slower-paced activities such as walking, can improve your sleep and your mood, as well as increasing focus and reducing stress. Doing something is always better than doing nothing. Walking can also have the benefit of encouraging social interactions as well as providing exercise. We must just remember to stick to current Government guidelines regarding exercising during lockdown and meeting up with other people, but here are some ideas for during lockdown and as things begin to ease.
Ideas to get physical
Here are a few ideas for during lockdown -
- Go for a walk at lunchtime
- Do some easy exercises, for example stretching or yoga to increase blood flow and flexibility
- Engage in family fitness - go for a walk together as a family or household, or a bike ride or even host a dance party in your lounge
- Try to walk everywhere as much as you can instead of using the car for a short journey
- Visit a park that is local to you, or explore the local area, whilst raising your pulse and heart rate by running around
- Enjoy cycling, it provides a scenic and superb low-impact workout, all you need is a bike, helmet and water bottle
- Online workouts or live streaming on social media means you can join celebrities as they exercise at home
- Dance like no-one is watching, turn the music up and move the furniture back to have your very own dance party
- Set some goals and stick to them, keeping your workouts interesting or trying something new
The harder you exercise means you can give yourself an extra treat as a reward!
Some ideas for after lockdown restrictions have been lifted -
- When shopping or at work, take the stairs, not the lift
- Walk into work/school, perhaps meeting up with a friend or colleague
- Choose to get off the bus one stop earlier than usual and walk the final part of the journey
- Organise a work sporting or fun activity
- Have a kick-about in a local park
Action for Happiness - February Calendar
Today is 'Be gentle with someone who you feel inclined to criticise', something that could have a huge impact on their mood and wellbeing, and yours too.
A copy of the calendar can be accessed here - Friendly February 2021
Young Minds
Click on the website here to find out more about - Young Minds
Quote of the Day
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