Keeping active

Keeping your body active contributes to enhancing your overall quality of life. It plays a pivotal role in lowering the risk of major health conditions such as cancer, stroke and cardiovascular disease while boosting energy levels, self-confidence, and reducing stress.

Incorporating activity into a busy routine may seem daunting at first, but developing new habits and making small lifestyle adjustments can have significant benefits over time.

NHS guidelines suggest aiming for a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week is advisable. This can be achieved through various activities spread throughout the week, tailored to different age groups:

• Children (under 5 years)
• Children and adolescents (5 to 18 years)
• Adults (19 to 64 years)
• Older adults (65 years and over)

It’s important to consider integrating exercise into daily activities. This could involve taking short walks during lunch breaks, opting to take the stairs instead of the lift, or exploring new activities such as netball or dancing. Additionally, incorporating brief home workout sessions into your routine can be beneficial.

To support your fitness journey, the NHS offers a collection of free exercise videos covering aerobics, pilates, yoga, strength training, and resistance exercises, ranging from 10 to 45 minutes and led by experienced instructors. Age UK also provides a range of physical activity videos tailored to different needs and preferences.

For further guidance on getting active, visit the NHS Better Health website. Here, you can access resources such as the Couch to 5K app, designed for novice runners, and the Active 10 app, which encourages brisk walking for just 10 minutes daily.

Find Your Active Essex

The Active Essex ‘Find your Active’ campaign celebrates the fact that physical activity is inclusive and for all – it’s just about finding what is right for you. The Find Your Active, activity finder will allow you to discover what physical activity and sport opportunities are available near you.

Whether you’re wanting to join a new group, try out a new class or see what sessions are available as part of Find Your Active, explore the finder! If you would like to get your session on the finder, we would love for you to input your details too!