| We all know the impacts of physical activity on our body – including weight loss, a healthy heart and maybe even some rippling muscles! But did you know the positive effect it can have on your mental health and wellbeing too?
According to scientists, getting outside and being active helps maintain and improve wellbeing in a number of ways, including:
🌟Better sleep – by making you feel more tired at the end of the day, you’re likely to sleep better which helps you feel refreshed and ready to face the next day
🌟Happier moods – Physical activity releases feel-good endorphins that make you feel better in yourself and give you more energy
🌟Managing stress, anxiety or intrusive and racing thoughts – doing something physical releases cortisol which helps us manage stress. Being physically active also gives your brain something to focus on and can be a positive coping strategy.
Here are our top tips on how you can get outside👇
🌳Go on a walk first thing in the morning before work to ease into the day and collect your thoughts.
🌳Drink your morning coffee or eat your breakfast outside.
🌳Take up gardening or have a vegetable patch to tend to. If you have no outdoor space, look into local communal gardens or allotments.
🌳Go on walks with friends to replace meeting for dinner or drinks.
🌳Watch the sunset in the evenings.
🌳Read a book or listen to a podcast in a park.
🌳Plan a fun day trip to explore a new area.
🌳Do a workout in your local park (hello Bootcamp SE16!)
🌳Take your meetings outside or try a walking meeting
🌳Take your work breaks outdoors.
Commit to getting outdoors once a day and see the improvement it makes! |
