As the cold weather creeps in, and the nights shorten, it is natural to want to stay in and try to keep warm. Keeping active within your own capability during winter though is important and will help to keep you well.

Why it’s good to keep moving - and in winter!

Exercise has a:

• Long-term positive impact on our physical health. People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing many long-term (chronic) conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers.
• Positive effect on mental health by helping to reduce stress and improve sleep and mood. Benefits of exercise - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

What can help?

• Find something to do that you will enjoy, start at your own pace and build up.
• Keeping active can be fun and sociable - whether as part of a structured group and/or in an informal group with friends.

Look at the ‘Getting active’ section below for links to ideas. Some of these can be done indoors or in groups or on your own. If you do exercise alone, please be aware of your personal safety.

Getting Active - Useful national and local information

Get active - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk) – Some tips of getting active including at home workouts

Join the Movement | Sport England provides links to free (and some paid-for) on-line exercise programmes for everyone including for older adults, pregnant women, people with a disability or long-term health condition/s.

Find a leisure centre or activity in Shropshire. Find local leisure centre facilities, including swimming and Skate parks/BMX facilities.

Find your nearest Fitness and wellbeing exercise classes around Shropshire.

Parkrun UK runs are a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event, which take place every Saturday at 9:00am. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

Runs take place locally at Alderford Lake (Whitchurch), Shrewsbury (The Quarry), Telford (Telford Town Park), Ludlow (Mortimer Forest), Alveley (Severn Valley Country Park) and Oswestry (Henley Lane). Visit the Parkrun UK website to find out more information and see other Park Run locations. You will need to register just once, before attending.

This Girl Can is an initiative to help celebrate active women no matter how they do it, the school run, home work outs or participating in a team, there is no judgement.

Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin are a local charity and one of 42 organisations within the Active Partnerships network who work collaboratively with local and national partners to create the conditions for an active nation using the power of sport and physical activity to transform lives.  They run ‘Elevate’ classes which are designed to improve strength and balance for local people aged 60+.

Shropshire Family Information Directory is an online directory of local and national organisations and services that exist to support children, young people and families. Take a look at the 'things to do' section for activities near you.

We Are Undefeatable – When you’re managing a long-term health condition, being active is about finding what works for you. This site provides great information about the campaign for adults with long-term health conditions including getting started, people’s stories and ways to move more.

Social Prescribing

Social Prescribing is available in all Shropshire GP Practices and can work with you to find a local voluntary and community-based activity which will best suit your needs. Find out more here.