Active Adults in Somerset

Why Be More Active?

There are lots of reasons to be more active. Moving more is good for your body and mind, helps stop you getting serious health problems and it can help you sleep better.

Just a few small changes can make a big difference to your life and how you feel.

For Your Body - Being active has lots of benefits for your body. As well as lowering your risk of developing serious health problems such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, being active helps keep your heart healthy, keeps your muscles, bones and joints strong and can help improve your balance.

For Your Mind - If you are suffering from depression or anxiety, being active every day can help to ease the symptoms. Physical activity can also help with stress. Although it won't make your stress disappear, it can help clear your thoughts so you can deal with any problems more calmly.

Enjoy Life Now and Tomorrow - Being active slows the natural breakdown of your bones and muscles, and helps you maintain a healthy weight and good circulation. It also helps maintain your brain. Being active helps keep you healthy and prevents health conditions that can hold you back – so you can make the most of every day now and in the future.

Find our more about the benefits of being active

How Active Are You?

To stay healthy or to improve health, adults need to do two types of physical activity each week: aerobic and strength exercises.

Guidelines for adults aged 19-64

To stay healthy, adults aged 19-64 should try to be active daily and should do:

at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week or
75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, such as running or a game of singles tennis every week or
A mix of moderate and vigorous aerobic activity every week. For example, two 30-minute runs plus 30 minutes of fast walking equates to 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity,

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