We know that movement is good for us. There are huge physiological benefits to increasing our movement. It raises our heart rate and this in turn increases oxygen to our brains and muscles, resulting in an energising effect. It maintains our strength and flexibility, and our balance. Moving around stimulates our senses and offers new and varied viewpoints. All of this combines to have a positive effect on our wellbeing.

But it’s important to know that you can get the benefits of movement without needing to be particularly into ‘fitness’ or ‘exercise’. You can enjoy movement simply by embracing being busy.

It’s easy when we are tired and feeling sluggish to want to sit down, scroll on screens, and move very little. But even small amounts of movement will energise us. It’s going to sound silly, but putting the vacuum round, running up and down the stairs with the washing, or getting down on your hands and knees to clean the kitchen floor is enough to gently raise your heart rate and give you a wellbeing boost. Knowing you’ve done something useful with those ten minutes will add even more of one.

So put on some loud music while you are in the kitchen and dance. Have some weights in an attractive basket to hand, and add some resistance. Walk to the post box and drop that letter. Dig the garden. Mow the lawn. Scrub the shower. It’s all movement that will raise your heart rate. And when you start to see any activity as an opportunity to energise, things feel less like a chore and more like part of a full, busy and active life.