Our Slí na Sláinte Coordinator Tara Curran shares some simple tips on ways to keep motivated to exercise during these trying times

It can be difficult to keep motivated to exercise at the moment particularly as many of us are motivated to go for a run or a walk by our usual group of walking or running buddies.

However that motivation is missing during this time as we are all asked to stay at home and stay apart to protect ourselves and our families from the coronavirus.

For many this means that our usual form of activity is no longer possible, we can’t go to our gym or train with our sports team, running club or active retirement group. However, if you are not cocooning, you can can still exercise within a 2km radius of your home, once a day and you can exercise alone or or within your family unit.

To maintain good physical and mental health it is recommended that adults do 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity at least five days a week, but ideally every day.

Exercising outdoors, particularly in green space, is not only good for our physical health but is also hugely benefical for our mental health and is a great way to reduce stress and increase energy levels. Walking, jogging or cycling are perfect ways to get active at moderate intensity outdoors.

Here are some simple tips that may help you to keep motivated to exercise:

• Schedule activity into your day, everyday
• Try to get out to your local green space during daylight hours
• Set yourself a personal challenge such as to walk 100km in four weeks
• Take part in a virtual step challenge with friends using the many free apps available
• Follow a structured plan like Couch 2 5k or our Move More Walking Challenge
• If you don’t currently exercise regularly why not use this time to create new exercise habits
• Many gyms and fitness coaches are posting free online workouts so look on social media or You Tube and try some new virtual workouts
• Dig out any exercise equipment you have like a yoga mat or dumbbells etc. and create a workout space in your home, if you see it you will use it

We are here for you 

We are living in difficult and uncertain times and here at the Irish Heart Foundation we are very aware of the extra challenges people living with the effects of heart disease and stroke face.

The Irish Heart Foundation has developed a number of services to support you at these difficult times.

Telephone and email support

Our nurses are available on phone and email support Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. Call 01 6685001 or email support@irishheart.ie

Further useful sources of information:

HSE

World Health Organization

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

Health Protection Surveillance Centre

Please note the information on this page is for general guidance and comes from national and international guidance. It is not intended to replace the individual support of a medical professional.