 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Massage Balm with Arnica is widely used by sports professionals. Regular activity improves fitness and life expectancy
People who exercise regularly are likely to live longer and enjoy a better quality of life. In fact, studies have shown that being physically unfit is just as dangerous as smoking in terms of lowering life expectancy. Regular exercise can also benefit mental and emotional wellbeing. The chemicals and hormones that are released in the brain through exercise combat stress and promote happiness. With so many health benefits, it is not hard to see why people are encouraged to exercise. However, many people think exercise is too expensive or simply takes up too much time. In reality, as little as half an hour of moderate activity every day, such as brisk walking, can be enough to improve health and fitness.
The BTCV Green Gym® is a scheme that inspires you to improve your health and the environment at the same time. It offers you the opportunity to 'work out' in the open air through local, practical environmental or gardening work. Physically active people are up to 50 per cent less likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke, but over 70 per cent of us are not active enough to benefit.
There are three different intensities of exercise; light, moderate and vigorous. Light exercise generally allows you to talk at the same time. Examples of light exercise include going for a walk, or doing some light housework, or gardening. Moderate exercise should make you feel slightly out of breath. You should feel slightly worn out, but not to the point where it is unbearable. Examples of moderate exercise are going for a brisk walk, or walking up a hill. Vigorous exercise should make you breathe rapidly, and you should feel like you are just at the point where you are pushing your body's boundaries, without doing yourself any harm. Jogging, cycling, swimming, football and weight training are all vigorous forms of exercise.
Check–out local telephone directories, newspapers and online guides to walking groups, gardening clubs and sport centre facilities in your area. Infolink: BTCV is the UK’s leading practical conservation charity. It supports 140,000 volunteers a year taking hands–on action to improve their urban and rural surroundings. Click here to read BTCV's regular editorial column in Communicatormentalhealth.org. Sources: NHS Direct website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk | BTCV website: www.btcv.org | Goala active visit: About us on this website. Additional sources of information: Bookshops, on the high street and online, commercial health publishers, manufacturers and providers of health products and services, relevant government departments, NHS organisations and local libraries. Health advice: Always consult with your GP or healthcare professional. From your browser | Email the page | Email the page link | Print the page | Add page to favourites ········································································································································
Handy guide to wellbeing series | For you, family and friends
|
Exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Not only does regular exercise help to maintain overall fitness and manage weight loss, it can lower the risk of many life–threatening conditions.
Also, get active and benefit the local community as a regular volunteer with BTCV, the UK’s largest practical conservation charity. Working outdoors is a great way to improve your wellbeing and make friends at the same time.
We know that we should try to be fitter and healthier, and we are also increasingly aware of how important our local environment is. Going to gyms and sports centres does not appeal to everyone. The BTCV Green Gym® is a great alternative to consider. 
For example, Goala active provides weekly five–a–side football and activities in the community in Norwich.
The regular pay–to–play sessions are for adults of all ages to develop their confidence, motivation, fitness, football skills and teamwork.