水蜜桃app

Published: 18th MAY 2020

Exercising to relieve anxiety during lockdown

Wayne Lewis is a 水蜜桃app volunteer who previously spoke to us about how he uses the 水蜜桃app Network to manage anxiety and depression. We caught up with him to see what he鈥檚 doing to adjust to the COVID-19 lockdown measures.

Man wearing glasses, hood, black cycling helmet and high-vis jacket on cycle path

Times have been hard since lockdown came into effect.

Especially as I鈥檓 not able to travel to see family or friends in Yorkshire.

But remaining positive has been key through this pandemic and being in constant contact over the phone or social media messaging has helped.聽

My routine has totally changed, going out only for essentials, medications and my daily exercise.聽

Relieving stress

Exercise, whether it be a 30-minute brisk walk or an hour cycling, really helps to relieve stress and reduce anxiety.

It also helps when struggling with depression. It鈥檚 great to get outdoors and take in some fresh air so you don鈥檛 feel so secluded from being inside.

Even getting outside just once a day is enough for me to take my mind off events and appreciate what we have around us, such as nature and great scenery.

It鈥檚 really uplifting to be surrounded by nature on my local Network.聽

Locally, the Network has been busier, but it鈥檚 good to see users following the social distancing guidelines.

I see more families using the Network to cycle or take a stroll to get some fresh air.

And the amount of children learning to cycle seems to have increased, which is always great to see.

Changing ways to be active

Seeing people on cycles taking advantage of the quiet roads as well as the Network paths is great to see.

Pollution seems to have dropped substantially.

I use the roads to connect to the Network paths close by and I feel like you can tell the difference in air quality.聽

Although I鈥檓 an avid cyclist, I have also started walking more for my daily exercise during lockdown.

It gives me a chance to process what鈥檚 around and see things I wouldn't usually by bicycle.

So, when the lockdown relaxes I intend to carry on walking more as well, to really take in what there is to see around us.聽

I鈥檓 looking forward to travelling further once the lockdown restrictions have lifted.

I鈥檝e been looking up Network routes online and am hoping to travel to places such as Tynemouth and explore more of the C2C.


Feeling inspired? Look for 水蜜桃app Network routes in your area

Find out how 水蜜桃app is supporting people during the pandemic

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