{"id":66695,"date":"2025-07-25T13:01:40","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T12:01:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=66695"},"modified":"2025-07-25T13:01:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T12:01:44","slug":"every-move-matters-celebrating-how-we-move-in-devon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/every-move-matters-celebrating-how-we-move-in-devon\/","title":{"rendered":"Every Move Matters:\u00a0Celebrating How We Move In Devon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The NHS is urging people living in Devon to celebrate how they move as part of the South West \u2018Every Move Matters\u2019 campaign.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Devon is a fabulous county, with lots of green and blue spaces \u2013 brilliant coastal and countryside areas where you can grab your jacket and go and explore with family and friends, lots of wonderful cycling, walking and wheeling opportunities, such as the impressive Tarka Trail<\/a> and the South West Coast Path<\/a>, ready to support your aim to be more physically active every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you don\u2019t need to go to the gym everyday to feel the benefits being active can bring. The South West \u2018Every Move Matters\u2019 campaign is about highlighting how moving just a little bit each day can build a stronger, healthier future for us all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting with simple movements could be the first step towards reaching the Chief Medical Officers physical activity guidelines which recommend that adults should aim for 150 minutes a week (just 20 minutes a day).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Movement looks different for everyone, from walking the dog to dancing in the kitchen, to joining an exercise class or going with friends cycling.  There is no wrong way to move, and each person has different needs and reasons that motivate them to try to be more active for their health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Justin Varney Bennett, South West Regional Director of Public Health said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cEvery move, at every age and at every ability can have an impact on how we feel. Being active every day is a really simple way to be healthier at every stage of life, whether it\u2019s playing catch with your grandchildren, dancing round the living room or walking to work, getting moving has huge benefits for physical and mental health, and it\u2019s fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Chief Medical Officer recommends for adults at least 150 minutes of moderate activity every week with strength building exercises on at least two days. Moderate physical activity is the kind that gets you a bit warm and breathing a bit harder, but you can hold a conversation, and there are loads of ways to build it into everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re championing Every Move Matters, from walking the dog to adding in a couple of trips up and down the stairs, it all counts. You don\u2019t have to run the coastal path to feel the benefits. By making movement part of daily life, we can all build our strength, boost our mood, and improve our long-term health. Being active every day has health benefits from reducing the risk of some forms of cancer to improving the symptoms of fatigue caused by many drug treatments, from diabetes to dementia being active can make a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can choose what works for you, dancing in the kitchen, walking with friends along the beach, going to the gym, playing kick about with your mates in the park, small steps taken regularly lead to lasting change. For people who don\u2019t know where to start, there are some fantastic resources and websites that can support people to try simple movements and build up gradually, and don\u2019t be afraid to try different things and find what works for you.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Starting with simple movements could be the first step, so we\u2019ve listed some ideas and resources below to help you get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n