Staying active can lift your mood and helps reduce stress.

Why not spend some leisure time with friends or family trying out new activities in your local community?

Exercise influences the release and up-take of chemicals known as endorphins in your brain that make you feel good. Staying active can lift your mood and helps reduce stress.  Getting active in a green space has been shown to boost mood and improve mental health. ⁽²⁾

Apart from the physical and psychological benefits of physical activity there are also social gains to be made. For example, getting active by going for a walk with a friend or neighbour helps maintain existing friendships while joining a new exercise or walking group helps you to make new friends.

Find an Irish Heart Foundation walking route near you.

Tips to escape your chair during your leisure time

• Schedule time into your week for your favourite activity
• Plan social gatherings around activities like a hike with friends
• Seek out opportunities to get active in your community like completing a parkrun
• Keep motivated by trying new ways to get active