With the nights drawing in and the option of a cosy night on the settee ahead after a wet and cold day, the last thing on many people’s minds is pulling on their trainers and heading out for a walk.
But the changing of the seasons is a great time to bring in some more physical activity into our daily routine – and I’m not talking about going from being settee-dweller to gold medal Olympian.
While most of us understand that being active is good for our physical health and overall fitness, there is strong evidence that shows that it can improve your mood and mental wellbeing too.
Physical activity can help people with mild depression and evidence also shows that it can help to protect people against anxiety.
Sounds great doesn’t it – but how does this happen?
Physical activity is thought to cause chemical changes in the brain, which can help to change our mood.
Some scientists think that being active can improve mental wellbeing because it brings about a sense of greater self-esteem, self-control and the ability to rise to a challenge.
But it’s nearly winter we hear you say!
The good news is that physical activity doesn’t necessarily mean heading off to the gym, if going to the gym is not your thing.
The guide for adults is 150 minutes of physical activity (something that gets your heart beating a bit faster) a week.
This could be cycling, fast walking, swimming, dancing – something that will get you out and about – but most importantly, get you smiling too.
Recently, the CCG joined forces with Active Cheshire to become #PartOfTheMovement which is aiming to get us all more active, and happier at the same time.
So what are you and your family waiting for?
Wrap up warm, a brisk walk with friends and family on a crisp autumn day is a fantastic thing.
