How are local residents benefitting from being more active?
Sometimes someone else's story can be just the thing we need to consider how our own lives may look if we were to apply some changes.
Click on the blue drop down buttons below to read local feedback and stories:
The benefits of moving more
It is often said that exercise is the hidden cure we've all been waiting for and that if we could bottle the benefits of exercise up in pill form, it would be the most widely taken pill on the planet! The case studies listed above outline some of the benefits but here some of the many other benefits linked to doing more exercise.
- Improved physical health - It's medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have lower risk of: type 2 diabetes, some cancers, early death, falls and broken bones, heart disease, and stroke.
- Improved mental health and wellbeing - Moving more can help to reduce the stress hormone in our bodies known as cortisol. It can also give us a boost of energy, help reduce tension, feelings of anger or frustration and gives us a sense of achievement which can help us to feel more confident and gain a sense of self- worth.
- Improved sleep and relaxation - According to the Sleep Foundation moderate to vigorous exercise can increase sleep quality, it reduces the time it takes us to fall asleep and it decreases the amount of time we may lie awake in bed during the night.
- Meeting new people - Trying a new exercise class or attending a group can result in us connecting with like minded people.
- Helps you to manage a healthy weight - If you have been recommended to reduce your BMI and work towards a healthier weight, exercise and movement can help you to achieve that.
To help understand what happens to our bodies when we exercise and why we benefit almost immediately from taking part in some exercise, check out this short video from the British Heart Foundation who explain it perfectly...
Top Tips from professionals in Suffolk
What is recommended?
Well, as adults it is suggested that we do at least 150 minutes of exercise or movement each week which raises our heart rate, makes us warmer and makes our breathing faster (don't worry, it doesn't need to be achieved in one go - You can divide it up over the course of the week!).
It is also recommended that we include some strengthening exercises and simply reduce the amount of time sitting still.
Although these are the recommendations, if you are not doing any exercise right now, these recommendations may all feel a little overwhelming! All movement is beneficial, so start small. If you are not doing anything right now then try something and if you do some, then aim to do a bit more! All movement is good - the more the better and we all need to start somewhere.
Exercises you can do from the comfort of your own home...
Going along to an exercise group or trying a new gym can be really daunting, and for some it is just not the answer, either because you are struggling to find the time to fit anything more into the day, you prefer being alone or you just have not got the confidence yet.
If that's you, fear not!
We have linked below a number of videos and links to activities you can do from the comfort of your own home. Just click on the blue drop down options below to discover more.
Finding support and advice in Suffolk
You may feel motivated to do more exercise but just do not know where to turn.
Luckily, there are a wide range of organisations across Suffolk who can offer you support, groups and advice.
Click on the blue dropdown menu below to learn more about each of the organisations listed and find what you need to get started today!
Want to start setting some goals?
If you are feeling inspired and motivated to begin doing more exercise it might help to start setting some realistic goals.
Download our free goal sheets which get you thinking about why movement is important to you, which long and short term goals you wish to achieve and a tracker which will help you to plan and record your progress.
Click the document below to download your FREE physical activity goal sheet and tracker
Could you help to inspire others?
We would love to hear from you. Share the goals you committed to, to become more active and tell us how you have benefitted from the changes, for your chance to win a voucher to use with your local leisure centre.
Email us details at HealthandWellbeing@suffolk.gov.uk
Submit your entries before 30th April 2025 to be entered into a monthly prize draw.