Staying active and keeping well

During this period of social distancing, self-isolation and lockdown, it is important to keep active and look after your mental wellbeing. We know this can feel hard in the circumstances, so here we will gather tips and resources that will help you get some exercise, look after your fitness and encourage positive mental health.

Keeping active

• Sport England have launched #stayinworkout with a website full of links and ideas for exercising at home and outside. View their site here.
• Joe Wicks – the Body Coach – is doing daily PE lessons at 9am on his Youtube channel. It might have been initially aimed at children but people of all ages have been enjoying getting involved!
• Cosmic Yoga is another Youtube channel popular with children and families teaching yoga in an enjoyable manner.
• Roots of Yggdrasil were going to be guests at our annual conference showing simple chair yoga techniques for those who are not as physically active. They have turned their routine into a video for you.
• County Durham Sport have a page with useful exercises for beginners, children and older people with links to the NHS advice.

Mental health and wellbeing

• Maintaining Activities for Older Adults during COVID 19 is a useful round up of online resources to help people with dementia.
• The government have guidance on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people during the coronavirus crisis.
• The BBC have put together some advice on protecting your mental health.
• Every Mind Matters; mental health advice from the NHS.
• The Mental Health Foundation are encouraging people to take part in random acts of kindness. It can help reduce stress and improve your emotional wellbeing.

Public health

• Public health services at North Yorkshire County Council are continuing to run and be accessible during the coronavirus situation. You can find a list of them here.
• North Yorkshire County Council have a range of resources and sites covering different aspects of health and wellbeing and staying physically active.

Training and skills

• For online training courses, webinars and digital resources to help keep your skills fresh during this time, visit our Community Gateway.
• Volunteering is a good way of improving your mental wellbeing and gaining new skills. Visit our Volunteering In North Yorkshire website for opportunities from home or remotely.

Let’s get creative

• Rural Arts North Yorkshire has launched #RADISH – Rural Arts Daily Inspiration – as a way for people to stay connected and get creative while staying at home during this difficult time. Through online workshops and talks each day there is something for everyone. Find out more here or follow Rural Arts on Twitter @RuralArts and Facebook @ruralartsnorthyorkshire.
• North Yorkshire County Council has a new community county wide arts project.
  Rachel, their Arts Adult Learning Teacher explains about the project and shows you how to create a mixed media collage.
  Why not join them on their creative journey to explore how trees bring us closer to the wonder of our natural surroundings, inspiring creativity through colour, form and sound as they change with the seasons of the year.

Page updated 10 August 4pm