Autumn is a great time to get out and about and increase your activity levels.
The days are cooler, and this means you can be out more without overheating or risk becoming really dehydrated.
So if this half term, you want some ideas for getting the kids/grandkids out and about *and* keeping active, or you just need more ideas for how to keep active in autumn, this is the blog for you.
Here are some easy ideas to get your movement up with seasonally appropriate activities!
Walks through woodland
Who doesn’t love the colours of Autumn? Woodland walks are always a lovely pastime, but they seem extra special when the trees are changing colour and the sun is streaming through their branches.
Pop on your wellies and a scarf and take your kids, partner, pets or friends out wandering.
Raking the leaves
The beautiful reds and golds of the trees don’t just have to be viewed to be enjoyed.
Pick up a rake and build a huge pile of leaves – you can burn upwards of 400 calories per hour raking and bagging up your leaves!
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try jumping in!
Raking is a fantastic aerobic activity – and aerobic activity is not only great for our physical health, but releases endorphins and boosts our mental health too.
Conker collecting and pumpkin picking
Nothing screams Autumn in the UK like conkers and pumpkins.
Head to your local park and pick a load of conkers (mind the prickles!) to freeze ready for conker fights.
Or maybe you’ve grown out of conker fights and need something a bit more adult?
Pumpkin patches are everywhere and carrying your newly acquired squash back to the car is great as a resistance and strength exercise.
Bonus points for taking it home and get your arms working with some carving too!
Couch to 5km
We all know running is a brilliant way to get aerobic exercise into our lives, but it doesn’t come naturally to all of us.
Luckily, there are lots of ways to get into running nowadays.
Why not try out a ‘Couch to 5k’ programme that helps you to run 5km with it’s simple and effective approach to building up your stamina!
You can find a programme on the NHS website!
Prep a bonfire
Try chopping wood to build a solid base for your fire and gathering up your garden cuttings and trimmings to burn on it.
Chopping wood, or sawing up small branches is a brilliant way to get some activity into your day.
Once it’s alight, why not satisfy your sweet tooth by toasting a couple of small marshmallows on it.
Find an indoor pursuit
And if the nights become too cool or dark for outdoor activities, why not find something you can do inside, that you can continue during winter?
Try out some indoor racket sports like badminton or squash, or if you’re looking for something at home, why not follow some online videos like HIIT, yoga or pilates?
Remember, activity doesn’t have to be strenuous all the time, a raised heart rate or a little added intensity is enough to get your movement levels up.