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Why is activity important?

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Physical activity is essential for good health and contributes to overall positive wellbeing.

Many of the leading causes of disease and disability in our society are associated with an inactive lifestyle.

These include coronary heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

To benefit health, adults should achieve at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. Every 10 minutes counts, try to be active every day.

Moderate-intensity activity is activity that makes you breathe slightly harder and feel slightly warmer than normal but still allows you to talk.

And it isn’t restricted to formal exercise or sports - any form of activity during leisure, work or travel counts, even walking the dog or gardening.

And remember that every 10 minutes counts.

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Why bother with physical activity at work?

It isn’t always easy to fit physical activity into our busy lives. Many of us spend long hours at work and may have a long and tiring commute.

Add in family, domestic duties and other commitments, and we’re struggling to keep awake, never mind be active!

On the other hand, we already spend half the day at work - so why not create opportunities to be more active during this time?

It’s easier than you may think - it isn’t necessary to spend the lunch hour at the gym. Many jobs involve long periods of physical inactivity, such as sitting down in front of a computer.

So you can add active minutes to your day by just making simple changes to your routine. For instance:

  • get up and do something during lunch or break times
  • take the stairs instead of the lift
  • travel ‘actively’ to and from work – for example, by walking part of the way.

All this can all help towards achieving 150 minutes of physical activity a week.

The workplace is also an ideal setting for busy people to try out new activities without additional travel.

For instance, a lunchtime yoga session can be more convenient than going to the gym in the evening.

Find out more about the benefits of physical activity for employers

Find out more about the benefits of physical activity for employees 

Check out the free Workplace Wellbeing Tool to improve the health and well-being of your employees.

Need support?

Ask our Health at Work team for help. Email us on healthatwork@bhf.org.uk or telephone 0300 330 3311.