As we transition from the busy and energetic summer months to the darker days of autumn, now is the ideal time to think about resetting and focusing on your health and well-being.
Working with HSL, occupational therapist Julie Jennings recommends embracing the growing trend of “Slow Fitness” — a gentle, mindful approach to staying active that is perfect for the cooler, more reflective months ahead. It can even be done from the comfort of your own armchair!
Julie shares: “Slow fitness can have a very positive impact on mental and physical health. Activities like yoga and Pilates allow you to stay active and increase your strength and flexibility.
“Other activities, like Tai Chi and Qi Gong, allow you to take a more mindful approach through their focus on controlled breathing, and are particularly effective at combating stress and anxiety, as well as physical fitness.”
“It’s also a great option for those who might have health barriers that prevent them from taking on higher intensity activities” she adds.
Julie shares 3 reasons slow fitness should be on your agenda for autumn:
- Stress release
“As evenings start to get dark earlier, leading to the days feeling grey and shorter, this can often lead to lower moods and in some cases, feelings of anxiety. Taking the time to partake in gentle movements and focusing on your breathing can help to promote relaxation – which in turn aids in releasing both emotional and physical tension.”
- Joint friendly exercise
“As temperatures drop, joint discomfort can become more pronounced. The great thing about slow fitness activities is they allow you to remain active whilst putting significantly less pressure on your joints.
“They’re a great substitute for more intense alternatives that might cause you pain or discomfort as you get older, or if you suffer from chronic joint discomfort from conditions such as arthritis.”
- Seasonal routine
“A shift to colder weather and dark evenings can often put a halt on partaking in frequent outdoor activities. Slow fitness allows you to be adaptable and is easy to do from your own home. With activities like yoga or meditation, all you need is a mat and a quiet space, and you can follow along with tutorials on YouTube – just search for slow yoga routines for beginners.”
For those looking to incorporate slow fitness into their weekly routine over the autumn months, try to find a few days a week where you can dedicate half an hour to an activity of your choice, “listen to your body and practice at your own pace.”
If you struggle with mobility or need to remain seated but want to keep moving, simply find a comfortable chair, like an armchair or recliner, and try out some gentle stretches. This helps to promote flexibility and circulation, but with increased support from the chair, putting less strain on your muscles and joints.
“A comfy chair is also the perfect spot to practise meditating and slowing down your thoughts, with a large selection of guided meditations online available to follow along if you don’t know where to start,” Julie advises
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