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10:27 AM 31st January 2021
family

Living Well for 20 Minutes a Day

 
People from across Bradford and the surrounding areas are being encouraged to join the 20 Minute Movement to help them feel healthier.

Fozia Naseem and daughter Hanna Ahmed
Fozia Naseem and daughter Hanna Ahmed
Launched by Living Well, an initiative led by Bradford Council’s Public Health and NHS Bradford and Craven CCG to reduce preventable ill health, the team listened to over 1,800 residents and 36 different health-related organisations, to understand what Living Well meant to them.

Rose Dunlop, a consultant in Public Health who is leading on the campaign, said:
“People of Bradford district told us they want to exercise more, eat better and do things that make them feel good about themselves. The 20 Minute Movement is not about the expensive gym or fancy trainers; it’s about the simple things, day to day that keep you healthy and happy.”

NHS guidelines recommend adults aged 19-64 should do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week, to raise your heart rate, breathe a bit faster and make you feel warmer. This includes things like brisk walking, riding a bike and dancing.

Rose added:
“With over half of respondents doing less than the recommended amount of exercise every week; we created The 20 Minute Movement to break down that 150 minutes into bitesize chunks that are easier to achieve!

“We want people to join online and commit to being active for at least 20 minutes a day. You could break up your 20 minutes and do something indoors for 10 minutes in the morning and something outdoors for 10 minutes in the evening. Joining the movement is about making a promise to yourself that moving more can make you feel better about yourself.”

The campaign is supported by Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Places at Bradford Metropolitan District Council. She said:
“The current lockdown is having an enormous impact on mental and physical well-being. Getting off the couch or stepping away from the computer screen to do something physically active for 20 minutes or more every day can help significantly.”

Living Well has teamed up with several local champions to show just how easy it is to get a bit more active. They’ll feature on billboards, posters and social media.

Fozia Naseem and her daughter Hanna Ahmed, wanted to show they love to go for bike rides round Lister Park. Fozia said:
“The park is the perfect place for a cycle. It’s safe, the paths are really wide and it’s pretty flat. I know it can be really hard to motivate yourself, but getting on my bike with my daughter and having a chat as we ride feels great. I’d encourage anyone to give it a go.”

This sentiment was echoed by Gill and Peter Hill from Haworth. Peter added:
“We are limited in what we can do during lockdown, but getting out for a short walk each day not only makes me feel positive, Gill and I get to have lovely natter as we wander around where we live - without distractions.”

“Whether you walk alone to rediscover your local area like Zimran Malik, who enjoys listening to music and podcasts while out and about, or combining walking and talking, it’s not just about getting outside,” reminds Rose.

If you’re isolating or it’s too icy to get outside, there are still lots of things you can do at home to get a bit more active throughout the day.

Dr James Thomas, GP and clinical chair, NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group said:
“Moving around and getting your heart rate up for just 20 minutes a day can give you a real boost – both mentally and physically. There are so many easy things we can all try and do to fit moving more into our everyday lives - from making an effort to walk a little each day to just getting up out of a comfy chair more often – every little bit of movement can help make us that bit healthier.”

“Deborah and Ross Reynolds from Shipley were a couple who told us they loved to dance in the kitchen. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a kitchen disco? It doesn’t have to be Friday night to turn the volume up! Have a boogie while cooking or doing the dishes!”

Mums from Allerton, Lorrett McIntosh and Rozina Tariq agree that getting outside with the kids is a great way for little ones to burn off some energy so they’re calmer and more settled in the house and the fresh air and getting moving makes them feel better and sleep better too.

All people across the whole of Bradford District can join The 20 Minute Movement at www.mylivingwell.co.uk; where you can sign up for regular information and tips, download a social media badge, find ideas to help inspire others around you to join too and get your friends, family and colleagues moving a bit more.