ANEWYEARINKENT
SIX ( SIMPLE ) STEPS TO WELLNESS … CONT .
Be Active
Let ’ s face it , most of us are pretty busy these days … Whether you ’ re studying or starting out in your career and throwing everything at proving your worth in the working world ; you ’ re in the throes of family life with young children demanding all your time while you constantly sort through an endless pile of odd socks ; or you ’ re in later life and finally taking a break having been through all of these challenges , life still seems very full . Resultantly , many of us don ’ t make enough time for exercise and movement .
While the suggested level of activity for adults is 150 minutes a week , one in 20 people aren ’ t doing anywhere near this , and that ’ s perhaps because people confuse the idea of ‘ activity ’ with that of ‘ exercise ’ and can ’ t stand the thought of hitting the gym . Being active just means getting your heart rate up , feeling warmer , breaking into a light sweat and making your lungs work harder , which can be done in a multitude of ways .
Walking , of course , is often underrated but really effective ; aim for 10,000 steps a day and mix up your routes to make it more interesting . Otherwise , try cycling , gardening , dancing , playing a light sport , or jogging – there ’ s no doubt about it , doing a physical activity you enjoy ( and , crucially , that suits your level of mobility and fitness ) will make you feel fitter and healthier , and will very quickly become an effortless habit .
TRY THIS : Ballroom & Latin for Beginners at Broadstairs Adult Education Centre , kentadulteducation . co . uk / courses / ballroom-and-latin-beginnersbro-124987-m-nc
Keep Learning
It was the ancient Roman poet , Horace , who suggested we all ‘ carpe diem ’ way back in 23 BC , and it was unlikely he was bored , plonked on the sofa when he did . Seizing the day doesn ’ t have to be about hurling yourself out of an aeroplane , or being busy all the time , but if you ’ ve ever wanted to learn French , brush up on your photography skills , or finally set about writing your memoirs , now is the time . That said , many of us immediately associate learning with our childhood or school days , and , as adults , we redefine our priorities , pushing learning to the back of our minds as something we ’ ve already done . Not so ! In fact , learning in adulthood has been proven by science to help improve and maintain our wellbeing , boost self-confidence and self-esteem , nurture a sense of purpose , and help us make friends . Pretty powerful outcomes just for exercising a brain that we already have at our disposal .
‘ Learning ’ doesn ’ t need to be overwhelming , however , and is best defined in the broadest sense . You don ’ t have to rush into a gaining a formal qualification or set your sights on becoming a pilot ( unless you want to ), so start small . Rediscover an old interest , ask for a bit of diversification in your role at work , sign up for an online course , or start cooking recipes that would ordinarily be out of your comfort zone . Set yourself a challenge that you know you ’ ll enjoy achieving and your confidence will soar ; plus , you ’ ll have fun , which is never a bad thing and allows your natural exuberance to shine from within .
TRY THIS : The Kent Cookery School – Beginner Kent Cookery Course , kentcookeryschool . co . uk / cookery-courses
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