Getting active for 30 minutes a day boosts physical wellbeing and has mental health benefits: better sleep, more positive mood and reduced stress and anxiety.
There are plenty of ways to boost your fitness and mood:
- Leave the car at home and walk or cycle.
- Gardening, vacuuming or washing the car count towards your daily activity target.
- Join a kick-about with the kids, play hide and seek or tag.
- Do a brisk 10-minute daily walk. Walk to the shops or to work.
- Take the stairs not the lift.
Adults aged 19-64 should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, a week. Children should have at least 60 minutes of activity during their day.
Make #YourMove Find more ideas and support including FREE 1-2-1 coaching to become more active at livewelldorset.co.uk or call 0800 840 1628.
A problem shared
It is often easier to open up and talk when taking part in a shared activity, such as sport, gardening, crafting or just a stroll.
Men are sometimes more at ease chatting side-by-side, rather than face-to-face. This could be on a walk, run, bike ride, fishing, in a car or tackling DIY.
If you think someone you know may be struggling, these tips might help:
- Ask how they are, then ask again – often we say we’re fine when we’re not.
- Ask questions and listen –
- Show you care
- Have patience
- Use open questions
- Say it back – repeating things back will help reassure them you’re listening
- Have courage – and keep trying if you’re worried about them
- Try not to ‘find a fix’ – it’s natural to want to help but unless they’ve asked directly, try to just listen and prompt
- If you’re supporting someone who’s having a tough time, remember to take care of your wellbeing too
Find tips on how to support others at lightonmh.uk/support or samaritans.org
