Learn how keeping active can protect your mental health this Mental Health Awareness Week (May 10-16) …
Mental Health UK is running a fantastic ‘5 Ways To Wellbeing’ campaign this week to help people across the country learn how to care for their mental health. The theme is nature, and it’s a great way to make your wellbeing a priority.
What Are The 5 Ways To Wellbeing?
They are five simple pillars to help you focus on your mental health:
- CONNECT
Work on building and nurturing meaningful relationships with friends, family, or colleagues.
- BE ACTIVE
Increase your physical activity to keep anxiety at bay!
- TAKE NOTICE
Be mindful and aware of the world around you.
- KEEP LEARNING
Challenging ourselves can improve confidence.
Giving back to the community or giving our time to help others can be so rewarding.
We’ve already looked at CONNECT and lots of different ways to nourishyour wellbeing with the help of Mother Nature. Now it’s time to turn our attention to BE ACTIVE. We all know physical activity boosts our mood and releases feel-good endorphins but sometimes it can be difficult to muster up the motivation or interest to actually get moving. Try these outdoor ideas to see if you can kick-start your motivation today!
- GIVE
TASKS TO TRY:
- GENTLE STROLL
If you’re not particularly active or have mobility issues, start small. Go for a short walk and try increasing the length every time, building it up until you feel more comfortable. Being outdoors and breathing in fresh air can instantly lift your mood, even if it’s just for a short time.
- PARTNER UP!
Join a friend for an outdoor workout or walk. Pairing up can make you feel more supported and less self-conscious when out and about. You can run together, cycle or take a long walk a few times a week.
- EXPLORE AND ENJOY
Try exercising somewhere you’ve never been before. Ask friends or family if they know of any good walks or routes nearby to try. Just remember to always stick to path networks, tell someone where you’re going, and to take and wear the right equipment.
- GOOD FOR THE SOUL
Soothe your soul with a fishing trip. It can be incredibly relaxing to lay by a river, listening to the water trickle past and the birds singing in the tree. It doesn’t matter if you don’t catch anything – the pleasure is in the scenery and peace! Take a furry friend or a two-legged one if you’d prefer to have some company.
- OLD-SCHOOL GAMES
Grab a group of friends and head to the park for a game of rounders or cricket! It’s a good way to let off steam and connect with friends as you play the games you loved as a child.
- GARDEN YOGA
Start your day right with a spot of yoga or a mini workout in the garden. Clear a space on the patio or lawn, roll out your mat and focus on your body and breathing. You can look on YouTube for beginner yoga tutorials or follow someone like Joe Wickes for a simple all-over body workout. Namaste!
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