But one of the simplest and most powerful ways we can support our health can still feel out of reach for many people.
Moving more can sound daunting, especially if life already feels heavy, busy or limited by pain, illness, caring responsibilities or low confidence.
That is why our Move more – Live more campaign starts from a place of understanding, not pressure.
It’s not about gyms, fitness targets or keeping up with anyone else. It’s about recognising that every extra move, however small, can add something meaningful to our lives.
It also supports our Let’s Get Moving Strategy (2024 – 2034) by helping make everyday movement a normal, achievable part of daily life for people across Brighton and Hove.
For some people, moving more is genuinely hard.
If you’re living with a long-term health condition, feeling exhausted, anxious or isolated, or simply unsure where to start, the idea of exercise can feel like another thing you’re failing at.
I want to be clear that this campaign is not about judgment.
It’s about kindness to ourselves, and to each other, and about finding ways to feel a little better in daily life.
Movement does not have to look a certain way.
It might be standing up and stretching after sitting for a while.
It might be a short walk to the shops, a few minutes of dancing in your kitchen, or some chair-based movement at home.
It might be gardening, playing with children, walking and talking with a friend or moving together online.
We know from national and local evidence that being active, even at low levels, can make a real difference.
Regular movement can help lift mood, boost energy and improve sleep.
It can support mental health by reducing stress and anxiety and helping us feel more grounded.
For many people, it can also help manage long-term conditions and reduce the risk of serious illnesses like heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
But the benefits go far beyond physical health.
Moving more can help us live more connected lives.
When we move with others, we often talk, laugh and share experiences.
A walk in the park, a local class or a community group can help reduce loneliness and remind us that We’re not alone.
For people who feel isolated, these moments of connection can be just as valuable as the movement itself.
Movement can also build confidence.
Trying something new, sticking with a small routine or simply noticing that you feel a bit brighter afterwards can change how you see yourself.
Over time, those small changes add up.
They can make everyday tasks feel easier and help people stay strong, steady and independent for longer.
One of the things I value most about Move more – Live more is that it puts choice back in people’s hands.
After open heart surgery last summer, my doctors encouraged me to keep moving.
Small daily activities like using the stairs and walking to the shop helped my recovery and lifted my mood.
This campaign shares stories from local residents who have found ways to move that works for them.
It also signposts free and low-cost activities across the city, because cost should never be a barrier to wellbeing.
We’re lucky that our parks, seafront and green spaces offer chances to move in ways that support both body and mind.
Time outdoors has been shown to lower stress and improve mood, and even a short walk surrounded by nature can feel like a reset in a busy day.
We also know that moving more can help people save money and simplify life.
Walking or cycling instead of driving, where possible, can reduce costs and build movement into routines we already have.
Small changes, like getting off the bus a stop early or meeting someone for a walk, can make movement feel less like a chore and more like part of everyday life.
Perhaps most importantly, moving more helps us feel more alive.
It reminds us what our bodies can do, not just what they cannot.
It helps us focus, cope with change and build resilience during tougher times.
And it gives us moments of achievement worth celebrating, however small they may seem.
If you have struggled with being active before, I want you to know that this campaign is for you.
You do not need to be sporty, confident or motivated.
You just need permission to start where You’re.
There is support available, including tailored advice for people living with long-term health conditions from the We Are Undefeatable campaign, and welcoming communities across the city and online through our Healthy Lifestyles Facebook Group.
By moving a little more, in ways that feel right, we can live fuller, more connected and healthier lives.
More information about Move more – Live more campaign and how to get involved is available on the Brighton and Hove City Council website or by calling 01273 294589.
Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care
Source link
[Featured]
[Just In]
