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Finding a type of exercise that you enjoy and can consistently incorporate into your routine is key. It's important to chat with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have underlying health conditions or concerns.
And if you’re a great friend, supporting someone with their mental health, here are ways you can get active AND talk at the same time!
Choose activities that both you and your friend enjoy and are comfortable with. The key is to find something that allows for chat without compromising safety or form. Enjoy the opportunity to connect, motivate each other, and make exercise a social and enjoyable experience.
Go hiking or take a leisurely walk in a nearby park or bush track. Natures pretty powerful for our mental health, so enjoy the scenery while having a meaningful conversation, getting away from the day to day bustle of life.
Taking regular walks, whether outdoors or on a treadmill, can provide a low-impact form of exercise that helps reduce stress, improve mood, and boost overall mental well-being.
There are some great walks in NZ listed here.
Lace up your running shoes and go for a jog or run together. Use this time to catch up and share thoughts while getting your heart rate up.
Exercising regularly by engaging in running or jogging activities is great fitness for mental health. You can increase endorphin levels, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Grab your bicycles and go for a ride with your friend. It's a great way to explore your surroundings and have a conversation on the go and enjoy the benefits of physical activity on your mental health.
Whether indoor or outdoor, cycling is an excellent feel good exercise for mental health. It increases blood flow to the brain, releases endorphins, and improves cognitive function.
Practice yoga poses and flows with a friend. Research shows partner yoga promotes balance, trust, and connection while allowing you to have a conversation during the practice.
Practising yoga combines physical movement, breath control, and mindfulness, promoting relaxation, stress reduction, and improved mental clarity. It has been shown to enhance mood and decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression.
There are some free online yoga classes listed here.
Play a game of tennis or badminton with your friend, it’s a great way of engaging in friendly competition while having a chat. You’ll also be improving your physical fitness and enjoy the health benefits of exercise.
Take a dance class together, such as salsa, Zumba, or hip-hop. Not only will you have fun and get moving, but you can also chat during breaks or after the class.
Dancing not only provides a fun and creative outlet but also offers a cardiovascular workout that increases serotonin levels and improves self-esteem and body image. Just 30 minutes of exercise will help improve your physical and mental health.
There are some cool tutorials here.
Go kayaking or canoeing on a nearby lake or river - and let’s face it we have some of the most epic ones in the world right on our doorstep. Enjoy the peacefulness of the water while having a conversation in between paddling.
Try stand-up paddleboarding together. It's a great way to enjoy the water, work on balance, and have a chat while gliding along the surface. It’s also loads of fun to see your pal bomb into the water once in a while!
Set up a circuit of exercises in a park or backyard, such as jumping jacks, push-ups, squats, and lunges. Take turns completing the circuit while having a conversation during breaks.
Attend group fitness classes together, such as aerobics, kickboxing, or spin classes. Sweat it out while engaging in conversation before or after the class.
It’s also an awesome way to meet new people who may well be there for the same reasons you are.
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