Could being more active help you feel better?

We're launching a new way to connect physical activity with mental wellbeing.

When we're struggling with our mental health, being active can be one of the first things to disappear. We might spend more time at home. Stop seeing people. Lose our routine. Feel exhausted or lacking in confidence. Even things we used to enjoy can start to feel like too much effort.

And when you're already struggling, being told to 'get some exercise' isn't particularly helpful.

That's why we're launching Move More, Feel Better - our new approach that explores whether being more active could be part of what helps you feel better.

It starts with you, not the activity

We're not here to tell you to join a gym, take up running or become an exercise enthusiast!

When you get in touch with us, we'll start by talking about you - what's happening in your life, how you're feeling, what you'd like to change and what might help. As part of that conversation, we'll look at different areas of wellbeing, including your mental and emotional health, physical wellbeing, relationships and social connection, practical circumstances and any barriers that might be making things harder.

For some people, being more active could be part of the answer. It might be about:

• getting out of the house

• building confidence

• having more structure in your week

• improving your mood or energy

• meeting other people

• spending more time outdoors

• getting back to something you used to enjoy

• having a goal to work towards

For someone else, physical activity might not be the right thing at that point - and that's okay. The important thing is finding support that fits you.

What could moving more look like?

Thanks to funding from ASICS, we can offer some activities directly, like yoga, non-competitive football and Couch to 5K. 

With local funding, we can also regularly offer walking groups and nature activities.

But we also work with organisations across Doncaster that offer a much wider range of activities, so we can help you explore options that fit their interests, circumstances and goals.

The important thing is that we don't start with the activity. We start with the person.

If someone is interested in becoming more active, we'll explore what they would like to get from it and what might make starting out easier. For one person that might be a gentle activity to build confidence; for another it might be something social, outdoors, structured or simply something they used to enjoy.

For some people, moving more may help - for others, it may be community connection, practical help or a combination of different approaches.

Could this be right for you?

You don't need to consider yourself an ‘exercise person’.

Perhaps you've become less active because of life challenges. Maybe you're spending more time at home, feeling isolated, lacking confidence or struggling with energy and motivation. Or perhaps you used to be active but have lost your routine and don't know how to start again.

Get in touch and talk to us about what's happening and let's explore whether moving more could be part of the support that's right for you. Start with a conversation, not a commitment.

Find out more here 

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