Find what you enjoy doing
Most types of exercise and movement are good for our health and wellbeing. The important thing is to find activities that you enjoy, as you are more likely to keep going with these. Many people find exercising with others is a good way to stay motivated.
Experiment with different activities until you discover a way to move that suits you and makes you feel good.
If you’re looking for ideas to get you started, our downloadable Move Your Way resource contains tips and advice on moving more for better mental health. Or find a local activity group in your area.
Start gently
If you’re new to exercise or haven’t been active for a while, it’s important to start gently. You could begin with low-impact activities like walking or stretching and build up slowly. Aim to be active most days of the week, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Establishing a routine can help you stay motivated and maintain your progress over time but try not to worry if you find it difficult at first.
If you have a pre-existing health condition or you’re unsure about your physical health, check with your GP before starting to exercise.
Mix it up
It helps if we can be active daily and ideally adults should do two types of physical activity each week. The first type is aerobic exercise:
- moderate exercise such as brisk walking or cycling
- vigorous exercise like playing tennis or running
The second type is strength exercises which work different muscles such as legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms.
The NHS website has recommendations for different age groups and whether you choose to do moderate or vigorous aerobic exercise.
Doing both aerobic and strength exercises each week will help you to stay physically fit and strong. For more ideas, check our video resources.