Elevate Your Wellbeing: Unlocking Healthy Lifestyle Achievements for 2025

Acquiring expert assistance and establishing small, attainable objectives will enhance your self-assurance – and sustain your motivation throughout the upcoming year.

Here’s how…

ONE YOU KENT

Our One You service is available to assist you with:

• increasing your physical activity
• reaching a healthy weight
• making nutritious food selections
• reducing your alcohol intake
• quitting smoking

Head over to www.kent.gov.uk/oneyou to begin, discover group walks nearby, nutritious recipes, and additional resources.

If you aim to quit smoking, you may also visit ‘Smokefree Kent’ to identify the optimal quitting path (now featuring the Allen Carr ‘Easyway’ program) for you.

Keep an eye out for our newest animations such as this one and updates regarding physical activity, healthy eating, and family wellness across KCC social media platforms (including X-Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) and in GP practices, should you be visiting one.

EVERYDAY ACTIVE

Our Everyday Active Kent program provides a variety of complimentary, or affordable, and accessible activities throughout the county.

Engaging in activity that suits you can:

• enhance your physical health
• increase your mental health and wellbeing
• connect you with new individuals and expand your social network

Explore the Community Pages and the Activity Finder on the Everyday Active site for sports and activities available in your locality.

BE A CHAMPION

Are you engaged and enjoy participating in your community? You could assist others in becoming more active by joining as an Everyday Active Champion.

Former NHS Health Trainer Julie Calder is a representative for the Isle of Sheppey.

Julie remarked that her volunteer work “varies from assisting an individual by providing a home exercise scheme, to collaborating with organizations like Parkinsons UK, or aiding a local instructor in establishing a Walking Netball group in Eastchurch.

“I cherish my champion position because it is incredibly varied and it enables me to aid my community, clubs, services, and residents in promoting more active lifestyles.”

Discover more from Julie and other champions here: Meet our Everyday Active Champions.

To learn more about becoming an Everyday Active Champion and to register, please email Yasmin Hosken, Everyday Active Officer at Active Kent and Medway: yasmin.hosken@kent.gov.uk. Yasmin is particularly eager to connect with prospective volunteers residing in the Maidstone and Sevenoaks regions. If this resonates with you, do reach out!

HANDY FREE APPS

• Better Health apps – ranging from discovering food swaps, reducing alcohol consumption, to weight management plans and resources for quitting smoking, there exists a free app or downloadable tool to assist you in achieving your objectives atwww.nhs.uk/better-health/#apps-and-tools
• Kent Connected App – assists you in discovering Kent and maintaining an active lifestyle, including #ExploreKent walking and biking paths. Obtain it at www.kentconnected.org/our-app

HEALTHIER FAMILIES  

• Discover simple methods for the entire family to eat healthily and increase activity with NHS’s Healthier Families

KCC Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Ellen Schwartz, stated: “To maintain fitness and well-being, it’s advisable for adults to engage in approximately 20 to 30 minutes of activity each day. However, even a daily 11-minute brisk walk is advantageous and can alleviate discomfort, especially in your lower back, hips, and legs. It also enhances your balance, which can help prevent falls and potential injuries.

“Have you made a New Year’s Resolution to improve your health? The key is to find a method that aligns with your lifestyle. You’ll also be more inclined to achieve your goal with professional assistance – and One You Kent, Everyday Active, along with many other resources are available to support you.”

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, Dan Watkins, remarked: “Minor lifestyle modifications, such as replacing a sugary treat with a piece of fruit, are beneficial for both body and mind; and activities like fitness classes are excellent ways to connect with others and engage in your community.

“With numerous opportunities to be a healthier and more active you in 2025, do not hesitate – it’s more straightforward than you believe, so start today!”