Staying Healthy After Lockdown

Stay healthy in your body and your mind as you begin to shift back into ‘normal’ life. We have so many opportunities on our doorstep to get active this summer!

So, 2021 hasn’t had the best of starts however, there has been a lot of promising news in 2021 regarding the pandemic. The vaccine roll-out has been and is continuing to be very successful and the governments easing of covid restrictions has set out a roadmap to better days to come. Now that summer is looking to be relatively ‘normal’ in terms of the restrictions, it is important to understand the negative pressures around men and women to achieve the ‘perfect summer body’. This idealised body figure is very unrealistic, and fuelled by social media accounts flaunting their own ‘summer bodies’. 9 times out of 10 these images have been edited or taken in a way that only shows their best angles. After all, they will only post what they want you to see.

Setting small, personal goals or just a goal to be healthier, in general, is a far more effective way to feel fulfilled by the work you are putting in rather than looking at somebody else’s body and saying “I want to look like that”. We all have different body shapes and sizes and that is what makes us unique! As you begin to reach your own goals and feel healthier, this can help to make you feel happier about your body and put you in a better mindset quicker as opposed to setting an end goal and struggling to achieve it.

Gyms

We have such a wide range of gyms to choose from in Plymouth, all with unique selling points and specialised equipment tailored to the exercise you want to do.
Although this may sound obvious, just turn up! You may not feel ready and you may leave straight away but allowing yourself to do something whilst your there is a great start. Even just 20 minutes in the gym will help give you the motivation you need to go again. That being said, try not to lift too heavy as this can cause injuries and consequently won’t make you stronger any faster.

Try to enjoy the workout you are doing. Believe it or not, it can be fun as well as challenging! Start by doing an exercise you particularly enjoyed doing pre lockdown, this can have a positive effect on your mental health too.

Gyms are particularly busy between 5-8 pm, so try your best to avoid those times if you are worried about crowded places. Going in the morning is usually a quiet time to go and it puts your mind in a positive place for the rest of the day.

Get outdoors

The weather is beautiful in May so why not get outdoors and soak up some vitamin D! – Always apply sun cream. Whether you’re walking, cycling, jogging or doing a spot of yoga, getting outside and breathing the fresh air instantly relaxes your mind and makes you feel refreshed.

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise because we do it every day. Begin to pick up the pace and increase the length of your walks to feel a difference in your health. If you are close enough, walk your children to school, this way you have ticked two things off your to-do list in one go.

We are gifted with such an abundance of places to walk in and around Plymouth. From coast to countryside, Dartmoor to the city centre, we are so lucky. The South West Coast Path will give you all the views of our spectacular coastline and The Dartmoor Way will take you into the depths of the moors.

Water sports

Being an ocean city, water sports and wild swimming are all very easily accessible. The list of water sports you can do are endless in Plymouth and the wider area with instructors, courses, sessions and kit hire available for almost any activity.

Get on the board, in the boat or swim in the sea this summer! If you love outdoor swimming but the thought of going into the Plymouth Sound makes you anxious, our very own Tinside Lido & Mount Wise Swimming pools are open from the 1st of May!

Get your trainers or water shoes on, grab a bottle of water and go for it!