Six ways to stay active this festive period

It’s a crazy time of year. Work meetings, school pickups, housework, appointments… life can get incredibly hectic! Usually the first thing to go is exercise and social opportunities.

We have some tips to help you stay active during this festive period.

Be Prepared

This seems like an obvious tip, but being planned really can make a big difference. Get out your gear the night before and set your alarm. If you are taking the kids, make sure you have their things ready too, it makes things much easier in the morning. And if heading to parkrun, don’t forget your barcode!

Meet a Friend

Organise to meet some friends so you can tick off parkrun and socialising at the same time. This kind of multitasking is great a great time saver when you have a tight schedule and are time-poor. Plus, running or walking with a friend is fun and you might even meet someone new!

Volunteer

Perhaps you have had a really busy week and you don’t feel quite up to running or walking. Volunteer instead! Volunteering is always fun, it’s a great way to socialise and feel engaged with your local community. Volunteering can also give you a sense of wellbeing, meaning you can unwind after a busy week and feel more relaxed.

Run with the kids

Another way to make sure you still get to parkrun and spend time as a family is to bring them with you! Not only are you saving time, but there are also so many benefits for exercising as a family. It’s a great way to chat and listen to your kids whilst also gaining fitness and instilling values of a healthy lifestyle.

Be realistic

Remember to make sure you keep some perspective and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Sometimes life really does get busy and it’s pointless beating yourself up about missing a parkrun here and there. Sometimes family and other responsibilities need to come first. And parkrun will always be there.

Enjoy breakfast

Everyone the post-event feel-good factor over breakfast with mates or newfound friends. And it’s also a good opportunity to get to know your fellow parkrunners, have a few laughs and take a moment to relax and enjoy.