Published Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 14:09
As part of the Let’s Do It for Lancashire public health campaign, BwD Councillors and health leaders have shared their own ways of staying active to inspire you to work out at home or outdoors, safely and within the current daily exercise rules. The pandemic has pushed the NHS to its limits, and it’s easy to feel helpless while the coronavirus continues to threaten our communities.
One way you can take control is ensure you stay active and maintain a healthy weight. This reduces pressure on organs, particularly the heart and lungs, which are most impacted by coronaviruses, and helps your body to fight diseases including Covid-19.
Better health is available to everyone, no matter what your age or ability. And getting active with a health condition doesn’t mean you have to stretch yourself. It’s enough to do what you can, when you can, like going on short walks for just 10 minutes a day.
Blackburn’s Executive Member for Wellbeing, Cllr Damian Talbot said: “Looking after your health is more important than ever, and the Council’s Healthy Weight Declaration shows we are serious about improving the borough’s health. We want to enable residents to be more active to maintain a healthy weight which helps you fight diseases including Covid-19.”
Executive Member for Adult Social Care & Prevention, Cllr Mustafa Desai said: “The past year has been tough for most people’s mental health. I cannot stress highly enough how simply going for a 10 minute walk can benefit you, physically and spiritually, both of which contribute to mental health and everyday wellbeing.”
NHS app Active 10 is a good place to start – the app sends you daily updates and you can set goals and reminders to nudge you into action.
Blackburn’s Assistant Executive Member for Growth and Development, Cllr Zainab Rawat said:
“I stay active by trying to swap at least one car journey a day and cycle to as many meetings as I can.”