Category: Health

Rise and Shine or Unwind? Exploring the Benefits of Morning and Evening Workouts

Posted on by Megan Leeson

Earlier this term, we opened our first new gym in over 20 years! Located in Hiatt Baker, the largest hall of residence at the University, students living in this accommodation can now keep active more conveniently. However; whether you live near a gym or not, exercising in all forms in the morning and evening has many benefits! In this week’s blog, our Facilities and Operations Manager, Gordon Aitken, discusses these physical, mental and emotional benefits.

Incorporating sport and physical activity into your daily routine, particularly at the start and end of the day, can offer numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Whether you’re a morning exerciser, an evening athlete, or both, there are distinct advantages to scheduling workouts during these key times of day. This is the beauty of the new gym that has opened this term at Hiatt Baker, enabling busy students to best incorporate being active into their lives.

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How to Return to Sport and Competition After a Long Break

Posted on by Megan Leeson

Whether you’re new to a sport or want to get back into moving more, our Business Development Officer Vicky Dickson shares her story and top tips on how to return to sport and competition after a long break.

I am an endurance athlete, an adventurer and someone who likes to test my personal limits. I have taken on a 24-hour event, completed 75 miles (120.7km) in June, and am aiming for a 100-mile event next year. Two years ago I left the sport and activity that I had built up over the years, mentally broken. (more…)

Staff Football Has Been an “Absolute Game Changer to My Overall Wellbeing and Fitness”

Posted on by Megan Leeson

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (13 – 19 May 2024) is Moving More for our Mental Health. As part of our campaign, we spoke with our Student Wellbeing Manager and Staff Football Club organiser, Jon Jerrome, about how the football club helps University of Bristol staff to move more. The club recently launched its first ever member survey with a view of understanding the impact of Staff Football, particularly on the wellbeing of it’s players. Here is Jon’s summary of the results.

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Micro-dosing Strength Exercises and the Butterfly Effect for Runners

Posted on by Megan Leeson

This week’s blog post is written by one of our Physiotherapists, Henry Abrahams. As a Physiotherapist (MSc) and a Personal Trainer with a BSc in Sports Science, Henry also cofounded MoveWell, selling sustainable recovery fitness and rehabilitation products. Henry shares his knowledge on how micro-dosing strength exercises is a great way to incorporate strength work for runners, as well as the top three exercises you can do!

We often hear ‘build strength to improve your running’ and ‘your ability to recover’ but let’s be honest, it can be difficult to find the time.

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5 Reasons to Move More in 2024

Posted on by Megan Leeson

As we start the New Year and our New Year’s Resolutions get underway, our Development Officer, Molly Poulter Williams, explains how moving more in 2024 can benefit not only our body, but also our mind.

Do you set yourself New Year’s Resolutions? If you do, you’re not alone.

More than 60% of Brits set themselves New Year’s Resolutions in 2024 – the highest rate seen since 2019. And it’s looking like this year is shaping up to be a year for health; the top-three most popular resolutions for adults focus on physical self-improvement, with mental health awareness and improvements coming in a close fourth.

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5 Reasons Why You Should Go Out and Walk in the Rain

Posted on by Megan Leeson

This week’s blog post is from our Development Officer, Molly Poulter Williams, as she gives 5 reasons why a rainy walk has more well-being boosting benefits than you think!

At this time of year, it’s difficult not to think that certain creatures have got it right with this hibernation malarkey. However, as tempting as it is to spend the next 6 months cocooned in your cosiest blanket, we’re here to tell you five reasons why you should grab your waterproofs and head out for a walk in the rain this season:

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10 Ways to Stay Motivated in Winter

Posted on by Megan Leeson

As winter fast approaches, James Rowntree, our Group Health and Fitness Manager, tells his 10 top tips on how to stay motivated when it’s cold and dark outside.

Why do we find it so much harder to keep our activity levels high in the winter months? There are some legitimate factors working against us:

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5 Tips For Tackling Exercise Anxiety So You Can Start To Feel The Benefits

Posted on by Beck Throup

In case you missed it, it’s Mental Health Awareness Week this week – this year the theme is: anxiety.

Anxiety is a very normal emotion and something we will all experience from time to time. There are many reasons why we may feel anxious; relationship worries, exam stress, financial hardship, social situations. However, anxiety can get out of control and lead to a more serious mental health problem, so it is important to be aware of our own anxiety triggers and learn strategies to help us cope with feelings of anxiety when they arise. (more…)