Getting active
Stress also affects your body. Your body and mind are linked. To deal with stress it is good to look at both. Healthy body: healthy mind.
Try to do 30 minutes exercise a day. This is to try to make your heart beat faster for 30 minutes. This can be 15minutes two times a day. It could be 10 minutes three times a day. The easiest way to do this is to go for a quick walk. Aim to be a bit out of breath but still be able talk ok.
- Walk or cycle to work
- Park your car further away from work or get off the bus a few stops early.
- Take the stairs instead of the lift.
- Go for a walk during breaks at work.
- If you miss an exercise session you planned to go to, forget about it and try to make it to the next one.
- Exercise with a friend, or go for a walk with a friend instead of going for a drink.
- Get active with your whole family. Go swimming, walking or go out on a bike ride.
- Choose exercise that you enjoy.
- Set goals for yourself. Reward yourself when you achieve them.
- Keep a note of how good you feel during or after exercise to remind yourself next time you don't feel like it.
How could exercise help you?
Make a note of the different ways that exercise could benefit you. It could be that you want to lose weight, improve your body shape, reduce your blood pressure, reduce the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, extend your lifespan, meet new friends or extend your life span. Take a note of some of the benefits that apply to you.
What are the main things stopping you?
Make a note of the reasons why you don't exercise at the moment. Challenge each of these reasons and work out a way to solve the problem. For example, if you don't exercise because you have no one to look after the children. Take the children swimming or out for a walk, encourage them to exercise with you.
