Being more active
Getting more active is a great way to get into a positive state of mind. This makes us more likely to achieve our dreams and bounce back when things get tough.
When we move, our body produces feel-good chemicals; we start buzzing! And getting active outdoors makes us feel even better. As little as five minutes outdoors makes our bodies more relaxed and makes us happier.
So this page is here to help you make a plan and literally get moving. What are you waiting for?
Plan
Step 1:
What’s your buzz?
You might be the kind of person who enjoys mostly doing things when you’re in a group. Or you might be someone who prefers doing stuff on your own. You might prefer to get involved in something that someone else is organising. Or you might want to try your own thing and make up your own rules.
There’s no right or wrong when it comes to being active. You just need to work out what’s right for you and then make a plan.
Don’t forget to think about:
- Where you might want to try out your move - for example, at home, at school, in the park, at a sports centre or at a swimming pool.
- When you’re going to make your move - for example, a certain time every day or every week.
- Who might need to be involved - for example, a teacher at school, your family, your mates or a coach at the local sports centre.
Make your move
Step 2:
Time to start moving
Here are some ideas for ways to get started:
- Look for ways to move more every day.
- Maybe walk to school or get out in your lunchbreak.
- If you’re meeting friends, maybe make it a swim or do it on skates.
- Challenge your family to make time together active – get off the sofa and throw your best dance moves next time you’re watching those Saturday night shows.
- Get outdoors and get moving.
- Maybe jog to the shop or to school.
- Is there a park or open space near where you live? Why not spend some time getting active there?
- What about seeing what’s going on at your local sports centre and trying something new? You never know what hidden talents you’ve got!
Think
Step 3:
Work out your next move
Once you’ve started making your move, spend some time thinking about what got you buzzing and what was just a pain. Maybe use your journal or a notebook to think about:
- How did it feel when you got active? Good? Bad? Something else?
- What got in the way of you being active?
- Are there other things you could try that might work better?
- Are there things you want to keep doing?
Learn
Step 4:
Stay smart and keep moving
Don’t worry if you find this a hard move at first. Remember, you don’t have to run a marathon. Any kind of activity you do, no matter how small, is good for your body and good for your mind. So think big but start small. And never give up. If one thing doesn’t work or doesn’t feel good, go back to your plan and work out something else to try.