Physical Health
The link between physical and mental health is strong, but the influence of physical health on mental health, and of mental health on physical health, can be difficult to pick apart. People experiencing mental health concerns often also have higher rates of physical illness compared to the general population. Likewise, people suffering from chronic disease can report poorer mental health. Sometimes, it can be hard to determine which came first – the poor mental or physical health; other times there is a clear causal pathway. What is well known is that physical conditions such as chronic disease and mental health concerns share common underlying factors such as low socioeconomic status, poor housing conditions, chronic stress, discrimination, work stress or unemployment.
We share select resources below focussed on promoting physical health.
Care City: Keeping well at home guide
What is it?
The booklet contains practical information on home exercises, mental wellbeing, nutrition and hydration and how to stay connected to others.
Type of resource
Booklet
Movement for Modern Life
What is it?
Partnering with the NHS we have some wonderful classes and courses especially designed for those living stressful and often overwhelming lives. We hope that these will be your perfect antidote to the stresses of Modern Life.
We have customised our selection of 1,300+ classes to bring you a selection of classes. You’ll find:
- 10 short breathwork and relaxation classes for when you can only grab a few minutes in the day to take time for yourself
- Some short stress-reliever yoga classes you can do in the workplace
- Some morning energiser classes to do at home
- Evening after-work classes to help relax and restore you
- A long self-care practice for the weekends to make sure you give time to yourself.
We are offering these classes free to all NHS staff with an NHS email address until December 2020 so that we can help you to move freely into health and happiness at this tricky time.
Type of resource
Classes
NHS: 10 minute workouts
What is it?
10 minute workouts:
Short on time? Hate the gym? Too tired to exercise after work? These 10-minute workouts are just what you need.
These equipment-free fitness routines are great to do at home and short enough for you to easily fit them into your daily schedule.
Type of resource
How-to videos
NHS: Strength and Flex exercise plan
What is it?
How-to videos of different strength and stretching exercises to incorporate into your routine.
Type of resource
How-to videos
NHS: Fitness studio
What is it?
Use the tabs at the top of the page to choose a workout from the NHS Fitness Studio’s range of online exercise videos.
Take your pick from 24 instructor-led videos across our aerobics exercise, strength and resistance, and pilates and yoga categories.
These workouts have been created by fitness experts InstructorLive and range from 10 to 45 minutes.
There are exercises to tone your abs, raise your heart rate, and tone your upper arms. You will also find workouts suitable for new mums, such as postnatal yoga, or health problems, such as pilates for back pain.
Type of resource
Online exercise videos
NHS Choices: Strength and Flexibility
What is it?
Download the NHS Strength and flexibility podcasts and get your own personal trainer without the expense. Featuring Laura from the NHS Couch to 5k programme, these podcasts talk you through a series of equipment-free exercises to improve your strength and flexibility. Your goal is to work your way up to podcast 5 in five weeks, by doing each podcast three times a week. By week 5, you’ll be doing press-ups, squats and stretches with ease, feeling stronger, more flexible and full of energy. For those who want to start running, NHS Couch to 5K is another great podcast series to try.
Type of resource
Podcast
Know of other evidence-based resources related to Physical Health not on our list, that should be? Email us at communications@c3health.org.
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