Healthy Lifestyle
Physical activity
Adults should do some type of physical activity every day. Exercise just once or twice a week can reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke.
Research shows that physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, clinical depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Exercise with others has been found helpful to tackle symptoms of depression.
Any activity is better than none, and more is better still.
You can find more about the health benefits of physical activity and recommendations for different age groups here
It can be difficult to start increasing your levels of activity but there are lots of things you can do by yourself or with other people. Below are a few ideas.
The Livewell BaNES website has a directory of local activities.
The Wellbeing Courses website is a one stop shop for FREE community courses with online and face to face courses, some delivered directly by the Wellbeing College and some by 3rd sector colleagues. Call them on 0300 247 0050 and ask for Wellbeing Courses.
If you have any concerns about exercising with a health condition, please arrange a routine appointment to speak with your doctor or nurse.
Exercise on Referral
The Exercise on Referral scheme provides low-cost support and guidance to assist with inactivity and those at risk of disease or suffering with a condition that can be improved by physical activity.
This scheme offers a 12-week subsidised access to your local leisure centre for the gym, swimming and/ or fitness classes, as well as a range of other physical activity options. This includes a pre-and post-exercise assessments to ensure the individual receives a tailor-made, safe and appropriate activity programme. All assessments are free and provided by qualified exercise referral specialists.
Please speak to the social prescribing link worker, your doctor or nurse to make a referral.
Find out more information here.
NHS Get Active
The NHS has 3 great free apps to help increase activity:
- Couch to 5k. This is a running programme for absolute beginners and has helped millions of people start running.
- Active 10. This app tracks your step count and helps you set goals to increase your steps.
- Couch to fitness. This is a 9-week programme of 30-minute fitness sessions which you can complete at home at whatever time suits you. No special equipment necessary.
Find more information here or search your app store.
Bathscape Weekly Wellbeing Walks
Bathscape organise volunteer led, wellbeing walks on most days of the week. The groups are open to all, including older people, people who enjoy walking with other people and people aiming to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
For self guided walking trails around the Bath area, visit here and here.
Parkrun
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you! Parkrun is positive, welcoming and inclusive, there is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along.
Our local parkruns are Bath Skyline and Somerdale Pavillion, Keynsham.
Junior parkrun is 2k, dedicated to 4-14 year olds and their families, every Sunday morning. It is held in Odd Down.
We are Undefeatable – Five in Five
Start building small amounts of activity into your day with Five in Five, a five minute mini-workout designed for people living with long term health conditions.
Moving Medicine – Pace up Programme
A 12-week walking programme to increase the number of steps you do, information here.
Active At Home – For older people
This booklet has been developed to support older people to stay active and healthy at home. It was originally created in Sheffield during the covid lockdowns.
Food and Nutrition
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best.
This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
NHS Livewell
Information about balanced diets, 5-a-day and processed foods. More details here.
NHS Food Scanner App
Use the NHS Food Scanner to bring food labels to life. Just scan the barcodes of your family's favourite foods, swipe to see the healthier options available, and make a swap next time you shop.
Plant Based Healthcare Professionals
Dietary advice for those following a plant based diet, or interested in finding out more here.
Foodfinder
BaNES Foodfinder gives a summary of low cost and free food when you need it.
Livewell BaNES
Food Banks and information relating to Free School Meals here.
Healthy Families Support
The Healthy Families team offers a series of free courses to support children, young people and their families reach and maintain a healthier lifestyle.
The courses provided by this service include Cook It!, Leap and HENRY (including Starting Solids and Fussy Eaters).
Support to lose weight
If you're overweight, losing weight will give you more energy and help to reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Loosing weight can be difficult but there are lots of advice and support available.
NHS Livewell
Advice on how to loose weight including a free 12 week weight loss plan, over 100 healthy recipes and exercise videos. More information available here.
X-PERT Weight and Wellbeing
This programme aims to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to achieve weight loss and a healthy lifestyle within a positive, safe and pressure-free environment. This 12-week course offers face to face attendance at a range of venues within BaNES or online via Microsoft teams.
You can self refer on the website.
Second Nature
Second Nature is a weight loss service provided through an app accessible on a smart phone. In addition to the app, the Wellbeing Service referral to Second Nature provides FREE 12-week access to coaching advice from a nutritionist via the app.
To access this service, call the Community Wellbeing Hub on 0300 247 0050 or email BATHNES.thehub@hcrgcaregroup.com.
Slimming World
The Slimming on Referral programme is in partnership with Slimming World, and provided referrals to the service through a FREE 12-week voucher.
To access this service, call the Community Wellbeing Hub on 0300 247 0050 or email BATHNES.thehub@hcrgcaregroup.com.