Find your Active at work!

April brings warmer days, lighter evenings and fresh spring air so why not get outside more this month! Getting outside may sound simple enough but we should take time in our schedules to reap the benefits of getting active outdoors and inspire others to do the same.

Natural light and time around nature has proven benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing. As well as being a low-cost activity, enjoying the outdoors can reduce anxiety, improve your mood and make you feel restful and at ease. Incorporating time in the fresh into your day can have short and long term benefits which can positively impact your work and day to day life.

Spending time outside can literally put a spring in your step and during Stress Awareness Month we should be utilising the great outdoors. Time spent in nature can lower our heart rate and blood pressure which contributes to stress and the feelings associated with anxiety or panic which means setting aside this time to get outside can reduce stress levels.

There are different ways to include allotted outdoor time into your schedule, this could mean suggesting to your colleagues that you take your meeting outside and walk together. Similarly, you could travel to work or school actively instead of taking a car or public transport which will increase your time spent in the fresh air. Small changes and understanding the need to prioritise time spent outside can be the first step to better physical and mental health.

Getting outside doesn’t only refer to walking or running. Be creative and think outside the box, to find what works best for you and what will boost your mental wellbeing. Gardening, for example, is a

great gentle activity that can be for all ages and if you plant vegetables or fruits then you can even put your time outside to use and harvest your own healthy food!

Get outside this April and feel the benefit! Visit: https://www.activeessex.org/find-your-active/find-your-active-workplace-edition/

• Do you want to grow your own plants, fruit and veg? #MoveWithUs and get outside this April, try gardening with your friends or family it’s the perfect Spring activity!
• Could you actively travel to work or school? Active travel can increase time spent in fresh air and daily movement which will benefit your body and mind!
• April is the perfect time to get outside! Getting active outside and taking in the fresh spring air and nature around us can reduce anxiety and stress, feel the benefits and enjoy the outdoors.
• Try something new! Enter a new month with a new goal and try something new you think you’ll love! Whether that’s gardening, yoga or a dance class
• Walk and talk this April! Invite a friend, family member or colleague for a walk outside to connect and refresh. It will benefit your mental and physical wellbeing and help start important conversations.

There will be soon walks to join for our Basildon and Brentwood Alliance network! subscribe to get more information