Fall Back
Make the most of the extra hour
This Sunday, 25 October, at 2am the clocks go back by one hour, marking the end of British Summer Time. This means we can take opportunity of the lighter mornings and an extra hour to our weekend by making time for new experiences to enjoy.
To make the most of this bonus time, we have rounded up three wellness activities you can do with your extra hour.
- Challenge yourself with a workout
Our head trainer Scott Gray has just developed two new 30-minute workouts that are sure to increase your endorphin levels and put you into a positive mindset for the day ahead.
The first programme focuses on core exercises, which can improve your balance, stability and support rehabilitation following an injury. The routine will help strengthen the bodies core muscles and provide you with a solid foundation for your physical fitness.
Whereas the High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) programme features fast-paced bursts of activity alongside rested periods to increase fitness levels and burn fat. In fact, a recent report shared that HIIT burned 25–30% more calories than weight training, running and biking.
Each of the programmes have been developed to strengthen the body and improve overall fitness, and can be completed at home, in the gym or outside.
2. Take a walk
When was the last time you took an hour out of your day to just walk? Walking has incredible benefits, not only for our physical health but also our mental wellbeing.
Similar to other forms of exercise, walking improves cardiac risk factors, mental stress and provides a great opportunity to get some fresh air. Also, if you are dealing with a challenge or need a eureka moment for a project you are working on, a short stroll can also help spark creativity and relive any brain fog that you may be experiencing. In addition, a 60-minute brisk walk can burn between 250 and 350 calories, so it will also help those looking to reach their fitness goals.
Why not make the most of The Lensbury’s riverside location and take an hour stroll down the picturesque Thames Path, a National Trail footpath running for 180 miles along the banks of the River Thames?
3. Just breathe
Whether you try meditation, do some yoga or just sit and take in your surroundings, an hour spent dedicated to your mindfulness is time well spent.
Mindfulness exercises can include taking regular and engaged breaths, writing your thoughts into a journal, activating your body through stretching, setting yourself affirmations for your day, and providing yourself with dedicated ‘me time’.
So, go grab a blanket, find yourself a comfortable spot and just breathe…
For more information on The Lensbury and its leisure club facilities, click here.