#Wellbeing series: A guide to increasing your physical activity

Physical Activity and Mood – A guide to increasing your physical activity

Buzz Manchester Health & Wellbeing Service

To stay healthy, you should try to be active on a daily basis. Adults aged over 10 should aim to do:

• 150 mins of moderate intensity activity each week or 75 mins of high intensity activity 
• Strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all major muscles 

If you choose a physical activity that you enjoy doing, it will help to keep you motivated. This can include anything from walking in the park, to work, with friends, playing sports, running, bike, dancing gardening energetic housework and more

There are many reasons physical activity benefits your mental health, these include:

• Endorphins and enkephalins – chemicals that can make us feel happy increase in production when we do physical activity
• boosts our self-esteem
• Learning new skills, achieving goals and improves self-worth
• Meeting new people 
• Gives structure to your day
• Can improve the quality and quantity of sleep 
• You will feel more relaxed, less stressed and tense, think clearer, better concentration, better mood

Talk to your GP before embarking upon a programme of physical activity. This is particularly important if you have a medical problem or are on medication. 

For the full guide, access: https://d1jw0l0b625fbx.cloudfront.net/docs/Physical-Activity-and-Mood-December-2016.pdf