2.2. Select activities that support a healthy lifestyle

This guide will help you answer 2.2. Select activities that support a healthy lifestyle.

Choosing activities that promote a healthy lifestyle is a key part of supporting individuals in health and social care. These activities improve physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. They also encourage independence and create better routines, while reducing the risk of illness.

To select the right activities, consider the individual’s abilities, preferences, and circumstances. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether working with children, young people, or adults, support workers should carefully think about every person’s unique needs and limitations. Incorporating activity planning strategies can enhance engagement and ensure that the chosen activities resonate with the individual. By assessing their interests and physical capabilities, support workers can tailor experiences that promote both enjoyment and personal growth. Furthermore, regularly revisiting and adapting these strategies allows for continuous improvement and motivation, adapting to any changes in the person’s life or health status.

What is Healthy Living?

Healthy living refers to practices and habits that improve overall health over time. It involves balancing physical activity, good nutrition, mental wellbeing, and rest. When selecting related activities, keep in mind that the focus is on promoting these areas of health to create a better quality of life.

In simple terms, healthy living means making choices that benefit the body and mind. Activities that support healthy living reduce health risks and improve mood, making them essential in health and social care settings.

Physical Activities for Healthy Living

Physical activity is one of the best ways to improve overall health. It helps control weight, strengthens the body, and reduces the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart conditions. Physical activities come in many forms, making it easy to choose something suited to the person you’re supporting.

Examples include:

• Walking – Ideal for people of all ability levels as it requires no special equipment. Walking boosts cardiovascular health and can be done almost anywhere.
• Cycling – This is great for improving leg strength and heart health. It can be done outdoors or using stationary bikes indoors.
• Team sports – These not only improve physical health but also help with teamwork and social skills.
• Gardening – A calming way to encourage movement while being outdoors.
• Dance classes – Suitable for children or the elderly, depending on the style.

Some individuals may have disabilities or illnesses. In such cases, gentle or tailored physical activities are better options. Examples include chair yoga or swim therapy.

Nutritional Activities for Healthy Eating

Nutrition is a cornerstone of healthy living. Support workers can guide individuals in creating better eating habits. Along with education, hands-on activities help people connect with the food they eat and understand its impact on wellbeing.

Examples include:

• Cookery sessions – Teach individuals how to prepare balanced, nutritious meals. Focus on every food group, reducing high-fat and high-sugar options.
• Meal planning activities – Work with individuals to create weekly meal schedules that ensure variety and balance.
• Healthy shopping trips – Assist with food shopping while demonstrating how to choose fresh and nutrient-rich items.
• Food tasting – Encourage trying new foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Gardening for food – Show individuals how to grow their own produce.

Engage individuals in decision-making. By allowing them to select recipes or grow their favourite vegetables, they gain independence and learn long-term skills.

Activities Supporting Mental Wellbeing

Mental health is equally important as physical health. Selecting activities to support mental wellbeing helps reduce anxiety, lower stress, and promote happiness. Emotional health often improves when individuals connect with others and take breaks from overwhelming settings.

Examples include:

• Mindfulness or relaxation classes – Practising relaxation techniques helps people manage stress better.
• Art and crafts – Helps express emotions and channel creativity.
• Day trips to natural settings – Time spent in nature improves mood and concentration.
• Social groups – Exposure to new people can combat loneliness.
• Music therapy – Reduces anxiety and stimulates the brain.

Introduce outdoor options whenever possible. Sunshine and fresh air are natural mood boosters. For those with limited mobility, sensory activities like aromatherapy or soft-touch items work well.

The Role of Sleep and Rest

Sleep and rest are significant parts of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Activities supporting good sleep patterns can boost overall health. Poor sleep and rest habits increase the chances of problems like fatigue, weight gain, and depression.

Consider the following activities:

• Bedtime routines – Help establish calming bedtime activities, such as reading or light stretching, to improve sleep.
• Sleep environment checks – Work with individuals to make their sleeping spaces comfortable, dark, and quiet.
• Awareness sessions – Teach individuals how daily habits, like limiting caffeine intake, improve sleep quality.

Promote a balance between activity and relaxation in all routines. Too much stimulation or rest can affect physical health.

Engaging Children in Healthy Activities

Children need specific activities to improve their health as they develop. For children, creative and playful activities are better suited because they associate fun with learning.

Examples include:

• Team sports – Great for building teamwork, coordination, and fitness.
• Healthy eating games – Use flashcards, cooking tools, or food sorting games to teach children about nutrition.
• Storytelling with health themes – Share stories where characters make good choices about food or exercise.
• Playground time or outdoor games – Boost physical activity and promote social skills.
• Dance or music movement – Energising and engaging ways to improve fitness.

Children’s activities should be short and full of variety. This keeps them interested and motivated.

Encouraging Healthy Habits in Young People

Young people may resist some health-based activities due to peer pressure or lack of interest. Finding modern, relatable activities makes it easier to engage this age group.

Suggestions include:

• Gym sessions – A personable way to promote independent fitness.
• Healthy meal workshops – Provide tips on preparing easy, nutritious meals on a budget.
• Mental health discussions – Encourage open conversations about anxiety or stress.
• Outdoor challenges – Activities like hiking or sports matches develop teamwork skills while boosting fitness.
• Social media projects – Collaborate on health campaigns or posts that encourage better lifestyle habits.

Keep these activities interactive. This helps create better engagement while increasing their confidence.

Adapting to Adults and Older Adults

Adults and older adults have different priorities based on their day-to-day challenges. Choosing appropriate activities for adults involves balancing their personal goals, medical conditions, and ability levels.

Examples for adults include:

• Group exercises like Pilates or yoga – Suitable for improving core strength and posture.
• Budget-friendly meal planning – Teaches ways to eat healthy without spending too much money.
• Travel clubs – Offers physical and mental stimulation for those who enjoy short trips.
• Walking clubs – Encourages movement and socialisation.

For older adults:

• Chair-based exercises – Focus on gentle movements to build strength and flexibility.
• Gardening projects – Encourages activity while engaging the senses.
• Memory games or puzzles – Stimulates brain activity for mental alertness.
• Music and singing sessions – Can trigger happy memories and improve mood.

Be patient and understanding while introducing new activities. Health improvement takes time, especially at older ages.

Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Activities

After selecting activities, evaluate their success. Observe how individuals respond. Do they enjoy the activity? Are there noticeable improvements in their health or mood? If not, adapt the activities to better suit their needs.

Keep an open dialogue with the individual. Always ask how they feel about the activities they’ve tried. Changes in health, interests, or routines may mean that fresh suggestions or adjustments are required.

Encouraging Choice and Inclusion

When selecting activities, always respect personal preferences. Each person has the right to choose activities they feel comfortable with. Whenever possible, offer various options. This makes healthy living feel collaborative and enjoyable.

Support inclusion by avoiding activities that someone might find too difficult, unsafe, or stressful. For example, running might not suit an individual with arthritis. Suggesting alternatives like swimming shows understanding of their condition.

Conclusion: Build Healthy Habits

Selecting activities that support a healthy lifestyle benefits everyone. It builds long-term habits, fosters independence, and improves physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Matching activities to individual needs and circumstances makes them more effective and enjoyable. Most importantly, small steps towards a healthy lifestyle can lead to lifelong benefits for the people you support.