NHS resources for a Happier, Healthier You!

Regular physical activity has many health benefits for your body and mind. Below, you can find tips on how to incorporate exercise into your daily routine to get you moving more every day.

Couch to 5K

Taking up running can seem like a scary prospect, especially if you feel out of shape or unfit. The NHS have designed a free app called ‘Couch to 5K’ to help and support you to begin your running journey.

This app is primarily aimed at new runners and will help you gradually work up to running for 30 minutes straight (5K) in just 9 weeks. It involves 3 runs a week with a rest day in between, starting off with a mix of running and walking to gradually build up your fitness and stamina. Week 1 involves running for a minute at a time in between walking, making the challenge feel achievable right from the start and creating realistic expectations.

Active 10

Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active and become healthier. A 10-minute brisk walk a day can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.

The NHS free ‘Active 10’ app is a low intensity physical activity app that anonymously records and tracks your steps. From this, it tells you how many minutes of walking were classified as ‘brisk’ and gives you tips to boost your activity.

It shows you when you are walking fast enough and long enough to get health benefits by combing intensity and time, rather than just distance or steps. For more information and to download the app, please click the link https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/. The NHS advises you to speak to your GP first if you have not exercised for some time, or if you have medical conditions or concerns, and to make sure your activity and its intensity are appropriate for your fitness.

NHS Wellbeing Audio Guides

The NHS have published some short mental wellbeing audio guides to help you boost your mood.

They have been created with doctors and cover topics such as coping mechanisms for low mood and depression, anxiety control training, confidence building, sleep improvements and general mood boosting.