Shake off the festive cobwebs

Rather than hanging around eating leftovers, how about doing one of these activities to keep your spirits up and feel good?

It can be so easy to kick back over Christmas and get fully immersed into never taking off the slippers! It can feel like a huge undertaking, far more than usual, to get up and out and do something active. The following are ideas to shake off those festive cobwebs and get out and about with the whole family, afterwards you’re all sure to feel refreshed and revitalised and back on the wellness path.

WALK

It’s so simple and so underrated. Get some good shoes on and go outside. Apart from said shoes, going for a long walk requires no equipment, organisation or travelling – just walk out the door and go. Walking is one of the best exercises we can participate in, plus you can have a good talk with your nearest and dearest as you go if it isn’t too strenuous.

Benefits of taking a good walk each day will improve your overall fitness, reduce stress on your joints, reduces pain, aids circulation and posture, as well as opening your mind to improve the free flow of thoughts. You may find that you come up with the best ideas or solutions to problems while walking. You may also reduce the risk of cancer or other chronic diseases, as well as improve endurance and reduce anxiety. Altering your mood is also a positive side-effect of walking, you may find yourself feeling a lot more confident and uplifted.

RUN

It doesn’t have to be a full-power sprint but taking a 20-30 minute run or jog in the mornings can really boost your energy levels and help with your cardio fitness. It is also another communal activity, or of course you can take a time out from the intensity of Christmas and go it alone. Either way this is a quick and efficient way to get your exercise in as well as getting some fresh air.

The benefits of a daily run include reducing your risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, cancer, neurological disease, and helps to improve sleep patterns, lighten your mood and improve concentration. And, again, there is no need for any equipment apart from a good pair of running shoes that support and fit you well.

CYCLE

Now obviously this requires an important piece of equipment in the form of a bicycle, but it is also possible to rent them if you don’t own one or you have people visiting who didn’t happen to bring one. Going out on a bike ride is a great family or group activity which is also good for you. You can grab those leftovers and make a picnic, have a route and particular destination in mind or even go sightseeing. Cycling is a healthy and low-impact that the whole family can enjoy, the benefits include cardiovascular fitness, improved muscle strength and agility, reduces stress and anxiety, improves posture, improves joint mobility, and helps to prevent chronic disease.

PLAY

If you have enough team members in your immediate family or friends why not organise a game of something? Our family always used to get together at the beach, whatever the weather, and have a game of rounders or baseball. Depending on your crowd and available equipment, you could try this or cricket, croquet, basketball, football, running races….whatever floats the proverbial boat. This gets everybody out in the fresh air, is a great way to have fun with a big group, and is a healthy and fun way to spend time together.

SWIM

This is not as much a collective activity, however if you happen to live somewhere which is warm in winter it could be a fun pastime for a splash around. Alternatively you could head to the local indoor pool and do some lengths, have a play around in the water for an hour and feel super revitalised afterwards. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise going, and is relatively easy to achieve. Again minimal equipment is required for maximum health benefits, so long as you stick at it that is. Not just on Boxing Day! These include the fact that a good thirty minute swim delivers a full body workout, is wonderful for your overall wellbeing, helps keep a positive outlook, distresses and relaxes you, burns off plenty of calories in a low-impact way, lowers the risk of chronic disease, and increases your energy levels. An added bonus is that you don’t end up hot and sweaty after a swim and if you have any weaknesses or physical issues such as a weak ankle or knee for example, your body is well supported by the water and our buoyancy allows us to exercise freely when submerged.

All these activities are relatively low-impact, fun, require minimal equipment or planning, are cheap and good for the environment. Earn your post Christmas dinner this year by making sure you get out and about and active!