Healthy Ireland, Let Get Set Campaign

 

Getting Started

Being physically active is beneficial for your physical and mental 

health and overall wellbeing. It can help you deal with anxiety 

and stress. Getting outdoors, if you can, is really important. With 

many of us spending more time than usual indoors over recent 

months, getting back to an active routine can be challenging. 

Here are some tips to get you going.

• Start small. If you are starting a fitness journey, you need to take
•  things one step at a time. Start with any activity that raises your
•  heart rate, makes you breathe faster and feel warmer. This could
•  be a brisk walk, riding a bike, dancing indoors, or exercising at home.
• Be consistent. Keep at it (even if there are some tough days) and 
• you will see results soon.
• Find ways to fit activity into your day, or to encourage yourself to 
• get moving. Try walking the short journeys that you sometimes drive, 
• doing some stretches indoors, or taking a quick walk on your 
• lunch break (weather permitting).
• Partner up. Getting a friend or family member involved will 
• keep you motivated.
• Don’t overdo it – take it slowly, or you will get disheartened.
• The important thing is that no matter what your age or 
• circumstance it’s important to keep moving - indoors or 
• outdoors - to help you enjoy better health.
• The easiest way to be active is to find something that you enjoy
•  doing. Check with Sport Ireland and your Local Sports Partnership
• to see what’s available in your area.
• The National Physical Activity guidelines recommend 30 minutes
•  of moderate to vigorous physical activity five days a week for 
• adults, and 60 minutes for kids, but short bouts of physical activity 
• (even 10 minutes at a time) can quickly add up.
• Many local and sports clubs run social teams for different age
•  groups. This way you get to play your favourite sport no matter 
• what your fitness or skill level, and it’s a great way to get 
• out to meet like-minded people, while being more active.

For more examples of how to get started, go to our partners 

website in the HSE

Activity for older people

As you get older it is really important to stay active. Being active 

can help your body to stay strong and supple, improve balance and coordination aiding in falls prevention, cheer you up and boost 

your energy.

Just 30 minutes activity a day indoors or outdoors could have a

 huge impact on your health.

Here are some tips to get you going:

• light housework, gardening or walking around your garden are all 
• good ways to keep active while staying safe
• Sport Ireland have developed a series of exercise videos specifically 
• for older adults. You can find them here
• Siel Bleu have some great exercise videos on their YouTube 
• page
• the HSE also have some more tips and info on indoor exercises 
• for older people here
• Age and Opportunity have a Fitline that you can call for tips and 
• advice on getting active
• Age and Opportunity are livestreaming their Movement Minutes 
• exercise videos on Facebook on Mondays, Wednesdays and 
• Fridays at 11am
• Watch more videos from Age and Opportunity

You will find more tips and information at gov.ie/healthyireland