Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness. Evidence shows it can also improve your mental wellbeing by:
- raising your self-esteem
- helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve them
- causing chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood
Being active with others can help us feel more connected and motivates us to build new habits. It doesn't have to mean going for a run if that is not for you, just do what you can to move your mood. Any form of physical movement can be beneficial, so find something you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
The Mental Health Foundation has produced a pocket guide called How to look after your mental health. It uses exercise to show the positive impact physical activity can have on your mental wellbeing, including some tips and suggestions to help you get started. They also have many more how to guides you may find useful to support your mental health.
Think about how you could move or stand more at work – build habits to bring more active movement into your workday. Here are some of the things you can do to stay active:
- take the stairs rather than the lift
- go for a lunchtime walk around campus
- sign up for our Bath skyline walk on 20 May, 12.00 to 13.30 for National Walking Month
- download Big Stretch − a free app that monitors time spent at your workstation, reminds you to take regular breaks and gives you a range of desk-based exercises