The benefits of exercise and how to get started

Running motivation, wheelchair friendly exercise, and more ideas to get you moving.

Exercising regularly has been proven to do a lot more than just improving our physical health. The NHS states that exercise is essential for humans and by just adding a few extra minutes of movement into our daily lives we can improve our wellbeing.

The benefits of exercise include:

Releasing endorphins – the brain’s “feel-good” chemicals that are the body’s natural painkillers.
Boosting our endocannabinoids – mood-improving neuromodulators that reduce anxiety and increase feelings of calm.

The NHS advises that exercise can be split into short segments, like using the stairs, getting off a stop early from the bus, or squats at your desk. Try and link exercise with habit-forming behaviours. For example, if you have a morning coffee or tea, then use the time it takes for it to brew to do a few squats! Leave a note on the kettle to remind you. Having it built into another habit can help a new one form!

We Are Undefeatable is a movement supporting people with a range of long-term health conditions. Being ‘Undefeatable’ is understanding that how you feel can change from day to day, that everybody’s situation is unique, and that moving more when you can is just as important as accepting when you can’t. They believe that every achievement, no matter how small it might seem to someone else, is worth celebrating!

To learn more about activities that might work for you and find a wide range of resources, visit their website here.

Other organisations and groups can also help provide advice and resources to help you move more:

Couch to 5K -Taking up running can seem like a scary prospect, especially if you feel out of shape or unfit. Couch to 5K will help you gradually work up towards running 5km in just 9 weeks.
WheelPower has some fantastic wheelchair-based workouts including seated Yoga and workouts for young people using resistance bands, plus much more.
BBC Get Inspired is an initiative which has some great resources on a range of sports.

In Your Area

Why not use WellChild’s In Your Area platform to search for groups, activities, and things to do to help improve your health and wellbeing, across the UK and in your local area!

Find accessible activities In Your Area!

In Your Area is a platform where parents and carers of children with complex needs share their knowledge and find services and activities that help families like theirs.

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