How I find time to get active by @tashagizmo

The benefits of being active

There are so many benefits to being active, like lowering your risk of heart disease, diabetes, strokes and other chronic health conditions. It can boost self-esteem, help with quality of sleep and energy levels and also help improve mental health conditions, such as anxiety, stress, depression and more. Activities with your family and children can also help you bond, improve relationships and better their self-esteem and confidence.

Slow & steady

There are lots of exercises you can do postpartum. If you exercised before pregnancy and you had a natural birth, you should be able to return to your usual routine. Just remember it took nine months for your body to change and go through labour, so it’s going to be a slow process to return your muscles and ligaments to their prenatal condition, so take it slow and steady.

If you are thinking of partaking in vigorous exercise, it’s best to check with your doctor or health professional that it is safe for you to do so.

Group activities

Find group activities in your area such as baby gyms or baby yoga. Now that soft plays are back open, you can get involved too. Swimming is another favourite for our family. We like to go on days out where we can walk around or run and play games on the beach.

During lockdown, we started a daily walk routine to keep us busy and get out of the house; we have continued this as we enjoy our ‘talk time’. I even got myself a step counter and aimed for a certain amount of steps a day to keep me motivated, which I have increased over time. Even household chores counts for steps!