Get Active
Being active is not just about running a marathon, playing tennis, or going to the gym. There are many ways to get active which can be really easy to incorporate into your everyday life. You don't have to play sport, go to a sports club or get involved in vigorous exercise that makes you all hot and sweaty. There is strong evidence to support that moderate intensity activity is enough to bring about massive health benefits and help prevent illnesses.
'Moderate intensity' activities will make you feel warmer and breathe slightly harder than normal. It's a good idea to try and make activity part of your everyday life. For example using the stairs instead of lifts or walking or cycling to the shops instead of driving. You don't have to do the 30 minutes of activity all at once. You could be active for 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes in the afternoon and 10 minutes in the evening. If you are not used to being active, try to build up gradually and remember - any activity is better than none!
There are many ways for families to be active. The best and most sustainable forms of activity are those that can be incorporated into people's everyday lives and that are either low-cost or, ideally, free. The following activities fit this description and can be done by the entire family.
Walk instead of taking the car. Short journeys, such as the school run or a trip to the shops, are perfect for walking and don't require a motorised form of transport. You save money on petrol and can get active in the process. Perfect!
Cycle with the family through the park or along the canal towpath. Cycling is great for improving cardiovascular fitness and there are no real age barriers to using a bike. Just remember to make sure everyone's wearing a helmet and, if it's dark outside, lights are fitted.
Climbing the stairs is an unusual suggestion but perfectly valid in terms of the potential benefits. Encourage your whole family to use the stairs even when they don't have to as it can increase a person's heart rate and strengthen leg muscles. Similarly, when out shopping together, don't automatically use the lift or escalator when there are stairs available.
Gardening can be a great way of adding to an active lifestyle. Planting and weeding is a good source of exercise and also makes your home look nicer.
Be Active, Be Healthy:
There has been lots of government backing for ideas for getting people more active. The Department for Health published their 'Be Active, Be Healthy' strategy in February 2009, which promotes the development of a more active nation.
Click on the link to download Be Active, Be Healthy
Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives:
The 'Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives' strategy is a cross-government strategy that aims to support the creation of a healthy society through linking schools, early years, food, sport and physical activity to planning, transport and the health service.
Click on the link to download Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives
