How to stay active at home
We know that staying active can be good for your mental health, but now we have to stay at home, being active can feel like a challenge.
There are many studies which have shown that doing physical activity can improve mental health. For example, it can help with:
- better sleep – by making you feel more tired at the end of the day
- happier moods – physical activity releases feel-good hormones 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 for difficult times
- better self-esteem – being more active can make you feel better about yourself as you improve and meet your goals
- reducing the risk of depression – studies have shown that doing regular physical activity can reduce the likelihood of experiencing a period of depression
If you are struggling to know what you can do to get started, below is a link to the NHS gym free workouts and exercise plans. There is something for everyone, from gentle seated exercises to more intense workouts.