Whatever stage of life we and our families are in, it’s important to stay healthy and age well. Physical activity is not only good for your body, but it’s also great for your mind!

Being active doesn’t have to mean taking out an expensive gym membership or running marathons. Finding an activity you enjoy can give you a goal to aim for and a sense of purpose. It can also be a great way to meet people, have a break from daily life and gain confidence. Other benefits include:

  • Less tension, stress and mental fatigue
  • A natural energy boost
  • A sense of achievement
  • More focus and motivation
  • Feeling less angry or frustrated
  • A healthy appetite
  • Having fun.

It’s even better if you’re able to get active outdoors. Research shows that being in nature can make us feel happier, feel our lives are more worthwhile, and reduce our levels of depression and anxiety. Nature doesn’t have to mean forests or national parks either: walking to a local common, visiting a friend’s garden or simply noticing trees and flowers planted by the roadside can boost your mental well-being (Mentalhealth.org.uk).

How active do I need to be?

Any amount of physical activity is better than none. Finding an activity you like and are able to do regularly is more important than pushing yourself to do something you don’t enjoy. You could try brisk walking, mowing the lawn, dancing, swimming, following an exercise video or online class, trying a new sport or anything that gets your body moving. For further information, visit Exercise guidelines - NHS (www.nhs.uk).

There are a range of activities that you can access within the community to increase your activity levels from walking, to low impact exercise classes to exercising within your home.

Local physical activity offers: 

  • LiveWire Lifestyles Exercise offers - A range of ways to get back into exercise should you want to visit alternative options to the above. For further information, please call 0300 0300 0818 or email [email protected]. Example Livewire programmes include:
    • Health Walks 
    • Cancer Exercise & Wellbeing Programme is a free 6 week structured exercise programme for anyone with a new diagnosis of cancer, having treatment or recovering from cancer. This programme is also suitable for those where no further treatment is planned. 

    • Mind, Movement, Menopause is a 6 week support programme to help women who are experiencing the different stages of menopause. The programme includes nutrition & weight management, exercise, HRT, and coping strategies. The programme consists of 45 minutes of exercise followed by 45 minutes of education and support talks to share personal experiences. 

       

  • Community Centre offers - Low impact exercise classes for all ages – you can email [email protected] or call 01925 818017 to find out what classes are currently running in your area.
  • Warrington Youth Zone – Local centre for children/young people including a gym, sports hall, dance, indoor rock climbing, boxing and martial arts. Annual membership is £5 per year, plus 50p per session.
  • Walking football - for both men and women, please visit My Life Warrington or for a women’s only option, or you can visit Birchwood High School's Walking Sports page
  • Park Run - is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event based in Warrington. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it’s up to you!
  • Warrington Wolves Rugby - Disability Football and Disability Rugby League at Warrington Wolves Foundation.
  • Cycling - Walton Lea Partnership are able to repair and resell bikes that have been donated or handed on by the police. They have a number of different styles and sizes available at any one time with prices around £25 to £50

  • Getting active in your local green spaces and parks

     

Useful websites:

16 December 2024