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  4. Physical Activity

Physical Activity

Exercise is an effective way of improving your mental and physical wellbeing and improving self-esteem and confidence.

On this page you will find information on:

 

 

Is it safe to exercise outside?

The current guidance is that you can exercise or participate in other outdoor activity.  While exercising you should observe distancing rules (stay more than 2 meters from others) and workout alone or with members of 1 other household at a time.

This advice currently excludes those in houses where someone has symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Health Benefits of Physical Activity

Exercise can reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer by up to 50% and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%.

Research shows that physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, depression dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Examples of Physical Activity for All

Physical activity might include simply walking, climbing stairs, mowing the lawn, or gentle gardening. Strength and conditioning also counts as physical activity and includes activities like pilates, yoga, or Tai Chi.  

Walking

Walking is an activity that can be enjoyed with all the family.  Paths for All provide walking routes and information in your local area click below to find out more:

Paths For ALL Work Place Walking [opens in a new window]

Paths For All Health Walk Finder [opens in a new window]

Cycling

Cycling can be enjoyed by people of all ages and is an easy way to get more active.

For most people, cycling is a safe and effective form of exercise. If you have any health concerns or an existing medical problem, see your GP before you start.

Stay safe Cycling

  • practice in a safe environment
  • wear a helmet
  • be seen and heard
  • check your bike
  • be alert and plan your route
  • always follow the Highway Code

Indoor Exercise

If you are limited in getting outside to exercise there are lots of different physical activities that can be done indoors.

There are many free resources available, here are links to just few:-

NHS Fitness Studio [opens in a new window] provide lots of free workouts that range from 10 minutes to 45 minutes

Yoga with Adriene [opens in a new window] provides a range of free yoga videos for all  levels, from absolute beginner to more advanced.

East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Facebook page broadcasts live keep active at home classes on a daily basis.

See the documents section  for 10 Simple exercises to keep you moving at home.