Physical Movement
Getting our bodies moving can help us feel better physically and mentally.
Not only can physical movement help us feel better, it can also reduce the risk of developing long-term health problems.
Aiming for around 30 minutes of movement, five days a week is a great basis to start from.
Different types of activity help us in different ways. For example:
- Walking or jogging help with our fitness levels, heart health and maintaining a healthy weight
- Muscle strengthening activities such as using resistance bands or light weights can help us with balance, core strength and protect our joints from injury
Doing more physical activity doesn't mean you have to train for a marathon!
Check out some of these simple ways to introduce more physical activity into your life from the Turbos and Cyclones.
Tips for increasing your general everyday movement
Set small goals
Set small achievable goals - walking round the block three times a week is a fantastic place to start. Then celebrate when you achieve them!
Get more steps in
Park the car further away from work and walk the extra distance, or take the stairs rather than the lift
Mix it up
Sit less, move more! Break up long periods of sitting with some walking or stretching.
Strength in numbers
Find someone, or a group, to do regular exercise with. You can encourage and support each other!
Remind yourself to get moving!
Have a visual reminder to move your body somewhere around - maybe a post-it note on your computer reminding you to get up and move every hour
Make it regular
Set a routine for structured exercise so it becomes a habit. Make it part of your daily timetable.
Where to find support in our rohe
For support in getting more physical movement into your daily life, the THINK Hauora Physical Activity Education programme could help you.
Physical Activity Education Programme
A supervised individual exercise programme to assist people to use exercise and other lifestyle changes to improve their wellbeing (both in energy levels and confidence).
Worried About...Obesity?
Hear our kaimahi TePiwa talk about being healthy for ourselves, and our whānau. He explains where you can find some extra support if you need it.
Health Navigator
Visit Health Navigator for more information, tips and advice on physical movement and activity.
More from our Turbo-Charge your Wellbeing series
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Palmerston North 4410