Relax while being active
There are ways that you can be active that are relaxing and enjoyable. After all, moving more can be a great way to clear your head and feel great afterward.
Finding a calming activity you can do around the home is one way of continuing to stay active while government COVID-19 measures mean we are all spending more time at home. Some people find activities like yoga and Pilates calming and centring, even at levels they sometimes find challenging. Heraldo found his Pilates classes could sometimes stretch muscles he didn’t even realise he had!
These sorts of activities can be done at a variety of levels, including at a very low intensity helping you to gradually build up. And they can have the added benefit of helping you build up strength and improve balance and coordination. If you want give this a go, try out one of the low intensity videos in our list of resources.
If you feel comfortable leaving the house for exercise, there are other ways you can move that you might find relax you and help clear your head. Some people, including Ian, find activities like cycling can help lift their spirits and improve their focus. Ian uses an electric bike when he gets out for his daily form of exercise, which allows him to take his cycle ride at his own pace. And Heraldo walks in the green areas near his home, taking the opportunity to both move more and get closer to nature.
Sometimes, being active can provide the opportunity to unwind. Moving doesn’t have to be high intensity to count! A walk to the shops or a trip to the park can provide the chance to get outdoors for a short while, plus gives you the chance to top up your Vitamin D. You can track the walking you already do with the Active 10 app, which is linked to in the relevant resources section.
