Many people in the UK are simply not getting the daily physical activity the human body requires. Not only can this contribute to poor fitness and weight gain, but it can also impact your mental well-being.

Of course, the good old British weather keeps us indoors a lot of the time, and there’s only so much physical activity you can do indoors unless you go to a gym regularly. However, with the recent bout of great weather we’ve been having it’s a perfect time to get outdoors and get more active…

…but be quick because we all know the summer will be over before we know it!

Here are a couple of perfect examples of activities that you can consider when the weather is in your favour:

Walking

Walking is a great activity that you can consider at any time of the day, and can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. You can choose to walk to and from work or you can walk with your children to school. You can also take your pets for daily outings. Walking on the treadmill works, but walking outdoors amongst nature and actually getting somewhere works even better. Scotland offers some of the best hill-walking in the world. Anyone can consider it, irrespective of their age and most abilities.

Walking is a great exercise because it is low impact and easier on your joints than running or other high aerobic exercises.

If you happen to live in or around Edinburgh, there are a lot of beautiful walking tours that take place all year round. Simply search online for ‘walking tours Edinburgh’’ and you’ll see a host of options that are available.

Cycling

Similar to walking, cycling is another method of transport that can easily be adopted into your everyday routine. Where possible swap the car for cycling to work, school, shopping or again, with the family dog (or borrow someone else’s!). Doing this will not only get you fitter, but will also help the environment and save you money in the process. Travel to amazing new locations that you may otherwise miss by car or foot.

If you’re new to cycling, carry out some simple online research on cycling safety, rules of the road and cycling equipment before you start out.

Cycling is also great for the whole family to enjoy together, with various equipment available for transporting the little ones with you.

For the more adventurous, mountain biking is another great way to visit untouched parts of the country. Again, seek advice from a local tour operator if you’re new to adventurous mountain biking.

Pokémon Go?

Yes, this is a different type of point to insert into an article like this, but it has actually made the news recently on how the smartphone game, Pokémon Go is getting people out and about and more active than any other gaming app before.

In case you’ve not heard of the game, Pokémon Go is a new smartphone game for children and adults alike that has taken the world by storm. The game uses a phone’s camera and location to detect creatures that the player must ‘catch’. The creatures are virtually all over the world, which means people have to actually go out into their local areas to find them.

It is by far a substitute for professional help, but there have been reports that the game has increased the mental health of some people with depression and anxiety by motivating them to get out of the house and interact with friends and even strangers. It’s more of an introduction to self care, rather than a cure. For those who are inclined to stay indoors all day, it’s a great way to help them feel like they want to get out of bed, get showered, get dressed, get out and socialise.

Lastly, with the growing popularity of sites like meetup.com it’s easier than ever to get involved with groups, activities and sports with like-minded people to help you get out, get more active, have fun and make friends in the process. From golfing to fishing to archery, you’re bound to find something to tickle your fancy so get out there and get active!