Movement is about supporting your health, not fitness targets or intense exercise. This page focuses on everyday movement and how small, realistic changes can support long‑term health. You don’t need to join a gym or follow a plan. Doing a little more than you do now is a great start. You don’t have to move more every day. Any movement is better than none, and small changes add up.
If you’re unsure what’s safe for you, your GP practice can help.
Video shows Lee Ashworth, CWW PCN's Health & Wellbeing coach, explaining different ways you can move to improve your health.
Moving your body regularly helps support:
- Energy levels
- Digestion and gut health
- Joint and muscle health
- Mood and sleep
- Long‑term health risks, including some cancers
Movement supports health over time, it doesn’t have to be intense to be helpful.
What counts as movement?
All of these count:
- Walking (short or long)
- Using the stairs when you can
- Housework or gardening
- Playing with children or grandchildren
- Stretching or gentle exercises
- Any activity that gets you moving more than sitting
Remember, there is no “right” type of movement! The best one is the one you can keep doing.
Keep it realistic
Many things affect how active we can be, including:
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Pain or long‑term conditions
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Tiredness or poor sleep
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Work patterns and caring responsibilities
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Confidence or past experiences
Movement should fit your life, not the other way around.
Movement, weight & long‑term health
Regular movement can:
- Help maintain a healthy weight over time
- Support digestion and appetite
- Improve confidence and wellbeing
This isn’t about weight loss or targets, it’s about supporting your body in ways that feel manageable.
Healthy Weight & Long‑Term Health
We recommend these reliable sources for more detail:
- Physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64 - NHS
- Physical activity and cancer | Cancer Research UK
- Get active - Better Health - NHS
- Get running with Couch to 5K - Better Health - NHS
Last reviewed: January 2026