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Being Active

Being active is really important for our health and wellbeing

Being and staying active can help to protect against a range of health conditions including heart disease, cancer, muscular skeletal (MSK) conditions, diabetes and dementia, and is a great way to improve our mental health and wellbeing. Moving our bodies, along with healthy eating, can help us maintain a healthy weight.

Children, young people and adults should aim to be active every day. The type of activity you take part in should make you breathe faster and feel warmer.

There are lots of ways you can be active. You could try:

  • brisk walking  
  • gardening
  • dancing
  • online classes
  • taking part in a new sport or activity
  • riding a bike

Physical activity

Physical inactivity means not moving your body for extended periods. This can lead to serious health issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and being overweight, all of which increase the risk of heart and circulatory problems.

Regular physical activity can help reduce these risks and improve your overall health. Being active includes any activity that raises your heart rate, such as hanging out laundry, walking, or playing sports. You should be able to hold a conversation while being active.

Staying active not only protects your heart but also enhances your general wellbeing. Start incorporating more movement into your daily routine to help improve your general health and wellbeing.

If you are not currently active

If you are not currently active and are concerned about starting to exercise safely, please consider talking to a health professional about the types of activity you could try before you begin.

If you are pregnant or considering starting a family

If you are pregnant or want to start to a family, then it is never too late to start being active or consider low-impact exercise. Visit our Best Start pages for information about how to keep yourself healthy before, during and following pregnancy.
 

If you have a disability

The NHS Wales and Disability Sport Wales Health Disability Activity Pathway was set up to support disabled people to be more active.  Speak to your local Health Disability Activity Pathway contact to find out about how you or someone you care for can find inclusive and disability-specific activities in your community.

 

By making small changes, you can make a big difference

Did you know that nearly two out of three people in North Wales are regularly physically active? It is never too late to start.

 

 

Every movement counts

Not moving for long periods of time (or being inactive) can be bad for your health, and can increase your risk of developing serious health conditions.

If you experience pain or have low mood, being and staying active can help, and could be even more important for your wellbeing.

Here are some tips to help you be active safely:

  • move in a controlled way, keeping your muscles as relaxed as possible
  • take notice of your breathing whilst doing an activity, and try to avoid holding your breath
  • pace yourself, splitting a task into smaller chunks
  • take regular breaks
  • plan your activity in advance and space out your exercise over the week or several days
  • set yourself realistic goals
  • try to make an activity enjoyable or rewarding
  • slowly build up your activity over time, increasing the difficulty or length of time you do it for
  • if you experience pain, doing gentle activity can help make you feel better – always start slowly and gently, and build up your level of activity gradually 

For more information on health advice and wellbeing visit the Health Advice section of our website. 

Useful resources and links