When wanting to take care of your mental health, physical activity is effective and important. Movement has a significant impact on your mood, seeing that it boosts your energy levels, reduces stress, and makes you feel more comfortable in your own skin. Regular physical activity makes your body stronger, moreover being in good physical shape has undeniable benefits for one’s mental health. Besides, increased physical activity can improve your sleep pattern.

Even half an hour a day of brisk walking, provides plenty of benefits. You can also divide your activities into smaller intervals of about 5-10 minutes, throughout the day. Moreover, if you decide to engage in physical activity for more than 30 minutes per day, you will soon notice even further health benefits. It is entirely up to you what exercises you choose to engage in. Perhaps you might enjoy aerobics and stretching, hiking, group training indoors or outdoors, and so on. The best exercise is always the one you enjoy the most – keep up, and if possible, do it with other people!

Here’s how you can start:

• Get off the bus one stop before you are supposed to, or park your car further away than you usually do and walk the rest of the way.
• Skip the elevator and take the stairs - at work, at home, etc.
• Go for a quick walk after dinner.

From the leaflet Simple Advice by the Norwegian Ministry of Health.