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A new campaign from NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, in collaboration with local health and wellbeing partners, is dedicated to helping you stay well this winter.
Different local community champions have come together to share tips and resources focused on boosting immunity, staying warm, prioritizing mental health, eating well, and keeping active.
Sophia Hulbert, a clinical specialist physiotherapist, emphasizes the importance and benefits of physical activity, and encourages finding enjoyable ways to stay active.
We’ll share interviews with the different community champions each week throughout the campaign, here on CHAOS, with more information available by searching #staywellcornwall on socials.
Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to get fitter and healthier in 2025? NHS physiotherapist Sophia Hulbert understands all the reasons people give for not starting or sticking with an exercise plan, writes Alex Duff.
In conversation with Tom Howe of CHAOS Radio, Sophia shares practical tips for overcoming the common hurdles that keep many of us from staying active. She also offers advice on how to sustain your fitness efforts long after many have thrown in the towel.
• Barrier One: “I can’t find the time.”
We all should aim for about 150 minutes of exercise a week—that’s 20 to 30 minutes a day. If finding that much time seems daunting, Sophia suggests exercise snacking. Breaking your exercise into 5-minute intervals throughout the day can make it more manageable.
“When you put the kettle on to make a cuppa, do some exercise while it’s boiling and the tea is brewing. Those minutes soon add up, and that’s a great way to fit it in,” says Sophia.
• Barrier Two: “I can’t access organised activities.”
Think you need a gym or a pool? Think again.
“You can get creative in your own home,” Sophia advises. Her favourite tip? Crank up CHAOS Radio and dance around your living room or kitchen like nobody’s watching!
• Barrier Three: “I don’t feel like it today.”
Sometimes, the mere thought of exercising feels like a huge barrier. Sophia’s approach is to start small.
“Something is better than nothing. Start with five minutes a day, then gradually increase. Soon, you’ll find yourself enjoying exercise and naturally meeting your weekly goal.”
And why do New Year’s resolutions always come at the worst time of year? It’s cold, it’s dark, and motivation ebbs away faster than the turning tide. Sophia’s suggestion is to buddy up.
“Find that person who’ll text you ‘We’re going for a run.’ You won’t want to let them down. It creates mutual motivation that keeps you both on track,” says Sophia.
The rewards
Beyond boosting cardiovascular strength and respiratory health, we often overlook the significant mental health benefits of staying active. Sophia emphasises: “It’s about building a wellness for life, that enables you to do all the things you love, without hindrance, because you’re helping your body to work the best it can for you.”
Want to get started?
Check out www.activecornwall.org or head to your local leisure centre or village hall.
“Whatever you decide to do, the most important thing is to find something you enjoy,” concludes Sophia. “You’re much more likely to stick with it, but you’ll also engage at an intensity that makes a difference. If it’s not fun, try something else.”
Because, besides improving your physical and mental health, getting active is your chance to try new things and meet new people. The key to a healthier 2025 is to have fun getting active!
Wailim Wong, of Citizens Advice, shares practical tips for managing energy costs and finding support with the cost of living this winter.
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