Physical activity is a great way to keep you healthy as well as improving your mental wellbeing. Research shows that doing exercise releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins in the brain. Even a short burst of 10 minutes brisk walking can improve your mental alertness, energy and mood.
There are things you can do to give yourself the best chance of staying physically well, take a look at some free resources below:
Santander Cycles for NHS staff is continuing, and details of how to access the free offer can be
found here.
You may also be interested in TfL’s Cycle Skills training.
NHS staff are now able to sign up to the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme. This is a brand new service for people who would like to lose weight and improve their health and wellbeing.
If you have a BMI of 30 or greater (or 27.5 or greater for staff from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups), you can now access a free, online 12-week weight management programme which is personally tailored to support your journey to a healthier lifestyle.
Keeping healthy and active can be hard, especially with the demands of a busy job, but this digital programme can help you make those small changes, one step at a time. Signing up is quick and easy – just visit this website for more information and to join today!
#DoingOurBit is a specifically designed online fitness platform with over 60 free workouts for NHS staff. Offering externally verified sessions from leading professionals across fitness, wellness, mental health and nutrition. Visit the website here.
Soon you will be able to access the #DoingOutBit app and early next year they hoping to have in-person classes, gym sessions, and swimming. To access the updated platform and additional services you need to re-register or register your details.
Joe Wicks, Founder of The Body Coach App is offering all NHS employees free access to The Body Coach App for three months.
Regular exercise and eating nutritious meals can provide huge benefits for our physical and mental health, and through giving free app access to NHS employees, he said: "I hope I can help them to improve their health and happiness, while they're working hard to support us."
If you're currently an NHS worker and would like free access to The Body Coach app, just fill in the form using your registered NHS.net, HSCNI.net, NHS.scot or NHS.uk email address and get started.
If you work in the NHS, you can save up to 50% on a monthly membership with Better Gyms exclusive NHS Better Health UK membership for £33 per month. Simply choose a corporate membership when joining online and select NHS from the list of companies. The eligibility check is quick and easy – you can upload an image of your valid NHS staff card. Find out more.
Do the physical and mental symptoms of your health condition vary from day to day? Does the unpredictability of how you feel make it difficult to stay motivated?
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy have put together physio-approved advice to get you started:
NHS Get Fit for Free
Information and offers of free workouts including Couch to 5k, strength and flex exercise plans, and more, click here to access.
NHS Fitness Studio
These videos have been created by fitness experts and cover aerobics exercise, strength and resistance, pilates and yoga. Click here to visit NHS Fitness Studio.
Be Military Fit
Be Military Fit (BMF) is for colleagues of all abilities – from those who have never exercised before, through to those who already enjoy regular exercise. The online platform also features a learning and development programme that aims to help you look after and improve your wellbeing, particularly through winter. Sign up using your NHS email address for free
Active 10
The Active 10 app records every minute of walking you do (anonymously). Just pop your phone in your pocket and away you go! Did you know walking briskly, even for 1 minute, counts as exercise? What are you waiting for - take your first steps today!
FiiT
Access to 700+ classes (including HIIT, strength training, combat cardio, yoga, pilates and breathwork) and over 20 personalised training plans. There are classes and plans for every fitness level and goal. The first three months is free for all NHS workers.
Talk to us
We are here to help support you. Get in touch with us below by:
- Telephone: 0300 123 1705
- Email: keepingwell.nwl@nhs.net
- Complete a self referral form