Healthy lifestyle

Finding time for a healthy lifestyle

Following on from our last newsletter, you may now be finding time to do a little stretching at work and taking small breaks away from your desk. This will help relieve and prevent aches and pains that result from sitting in one position for long periods of time.

To support the exercises you do in the workplace, what fitness routines do you find time for when you leave work?

Most of us find time for things that we enjoy and which are fun. We can often find time to watch a new movie, go out for a meal & spend time with friends.

All of us have 24 hours a day and we need to prioritise what we do. Some things we must do, some we'd like to do, and some we know we should do but never get around to doing. Our time can be taken up entirely with what we regard as necessities, such as work and family commitments - leaving little space for our own wellbeing and fitness.

Wellbeing means being well - fit and active, as well as being mentally alert and confident. We must make time for our own wellbeing, otherwise we'll eventually find that we don't have the energy needed to lead a dynamic and fulfilling life.

How can we motivate ourselves to find the time for a healthy lifestyle?
One way is to make our fitness routine more enjoyable so that we'll actually do it.

Choose to exercise in a beautiful place like a beach, a park or near a river.
Walk to or from work or at lunchtime.
Exercise with a friend.
Vary your activity, so that you don't get bored.
Try new forms of exercise that appeal to you.
Choose activities that are fun and that you want to do.
Exercise at home with a Yoga, Pilates or Swiss ball DVD or video

From a fitness perspective, the important thing is that you are moving, either stretching and toning or doing strengthening exercises.

Physical activity is an essential part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Being physically active has been shown to be positively associated with good mental health. It can help in the management of conditions like depression, anxiety and stress relief.

Exercise has also been shown to have a positive effect on a range of medical conditions including hypertension, diabetes and lower back pain.
To achieve these health benefits, it's recommended that you take 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (for example brisk walking, yoga class or gym - something different each day perhaps) on 5 days of the week. That's 1.5% of the total time in a seven-day week - and for a priority like improving your health and wellbeing, it represents an excellent investment of time and effort.

Now the homework......keep a diary over the next month of what exercise you do each day, make a note of how you feel both on the days when you do exercise and the days that you don't. You may be surprised and inspired by your observations.

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