Against the backdrop of such unprecedented times comes a brand new ‘normal’. Tightly coupled with this; a powerful obligation for lifestyle change and for some people this can be extremely difficult. With many people being let go, furloughed or forced to take annual leave from their jobs: an abundance of free time is now on our hands. With this comes a lack of structure, meaning and motivation and unfortunately, as a product of this many people begin to experience heightened feelings of anxiety and depression.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Only recently has psychological well-being experienced the attention that it deserves and it’s so, so important particularly now more than ever, that people have a place, person or a service to turn to in their times of need. Personally, my ‘rock’ that I turn to in times of struggle and need is physical activity and exercise, I also know that from a scientific point of view; exercise really is medicine.

Have you ever experienced that overwhelming feeling of intense happiness and excitement when you get off your first rollercoaster ride? Well, when you’re out there exercising; whether that be on a pleasant bike ride, lifting weights in your back garden, jogging to the rhythm of your favourite music or even just walking out in the sun; when those same endorphins strike and you’re hit with that wave of euphoria, there’s no greater feeling in the world…

With this abundance of free time and lack of direction, many individuals may slip and fall into a pattern of lethargy and sedentarism, I know I have before today. Others grab the opportunity by its horns and use it to create happiness and positive memories. By choosing the latter, you’re allowing your future self to look back on these times as a period of rest, recuperation and rejuvenation.

Go for a walk in the sun, get your old bike out of the shed and give it some mileage, set yourself a fitness goal and reach it, play games out in the garden with your family.

Become the person who grabbed this opportunity by the horns and utilised exercise to make this unprecedented time one filled with happiness and vitality.