Engaging in Physical Activity: How regular exercise supports both physical and mental health

I’m Not a Runner—and That’s Okay

Let me be honest right out of the gate: I don’t run. Not for fun, not for fitness, not even if I’m late. I’ve tried. A few times. And every time I do, I hear my knees whispering, “This is not our journey.” So, I’ve stopped trying to be someone I’m not. I’m not a runner—and that’s okay.

Rethinking What Exercise Looks Like

But here’s the thing—I’ve come to accept that engaging in physical activity doesn’t have to mean Lycra, sweatbands, and half-marathon training schedules. It doesn’t even have to mean a gym membership (although, yes, I’ve tried that too… for three heroic weeks before the novelty wore off and my gym towel became an overpriced rag in the laundry). What I have learned over the years is that moving your body—however you can, however you choose—does wonders for your mind as much as it does for your muscles.

The Science Behind the Sweat

Science, of course, backs this up. Regular exercise gives our body endorphins which can help us feel good, ease pain as well as calm our nervous system. Thereby reducing stress and anxiety. Physical movement can also boost our energy, improve sleep, and support cognitive function.

Walking: My Mental and Physical Reset

For me, walking has become my happy place. Not just any walking—ideally along the beachfront where I can smell the salt in the air and pretend I’m in a movie montage, or down a leafy nature trail where I feel like Snow White minus the woodland creatures. There’s something magical about the rhythm of walking and the way it clears out the mental cobwebs.

Yoga, Pilates, and the Joy of Pyjamas

I’ve also dipped my toes into yoga and Pilates (metaphorically, though sometimes quite literally in downward dog). The science here is equally compelling—yoga and Pilates help build strength, improve flexibility, and reduce inflammation. They also support better posture, core stability, and mental focus. Plus, you can do them in your pyjamas. That’s a win in my book.

Housework: The Accidental Workout

Sadly, in some ways but very productively in others, the most consistent physical activity I do is my housework workout. This includes vacuuming which is very formatted, followed by mopping which almost becomes a dance, and finally scrubbing the shower to really build up a sweat.

Gardening Gains and Hedge Battles

Next, there is the garden workout, including lawn mowing, weed pulling, and the occasional battle with an overgrown hedge. It’s not glamorous, but it gets the heart pumping and the job done.

Micro Workouts for a Busy Life

As my life got busier with kids and now grandkids, I have adopted what I call “micro workouts.” Five to ten minutes of stretching, a few strength exercises using body weight or resistance bands, maybe even a cheeky sun salutation or two. These little bursts of movement are manageable, realistic, and they add up.

Move Your Way, Your Style

So, if you’re like me and exercise isn’t your first love—know this: you don’t have to run marathons to move your body with care. You just have to move. In your own way, in your own time, in a way that feels good.

And sometimes, that’s as simple as putting on your favourite playlist and dancing while you mop the kitchen floor.