Dr Kirstie Bridges from Woodbridge Medical Centre (Charnwood)
Job Role
GP Partner with an interest in women's health
Why do you think it is important for your patients/clients/colleagues to be more physically active?:
Being active is good for everyone and for so many reasons. Not everyone enjoys being active, or so they think!
Making activity accessible can be tricky but this is something we need to focus on. Activity comes in so many forms - taking up a new skill or sport, doing something in the comfort of your own home or even building it into your daily routine. As well as the obvious physical health benefits, exercise and activity are fabulous for mental health, building self confidence and worth, and can help bring people together in a social situations.
More and more we are seeing evidence that being active increases your healthy lifespan, so even if you don't want to live forever, it will help you live well while you are here!
Why should other health professionals promote being physically active?
At our Practice, we have our eyes wide open to the benefits of physical activity. Although we all have interests in different branches of medicine, we all see the value of improving activity across our population. We try to lead by example by keeping active ourselves, and try to support patients who perhaps need a bit of help and encouragement to get going.
Being active reduces the risk of developing so many illnesses and diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and strokes, cancer (to name a few), and can delay the progression or reduce the impact of many more, for example dementia, Parkinson's Disease and, of course, menopause. Exercise also has growing evidence to support its benefits in mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Activity, done the right way, really doesn't have any drawbacks so it's a no brainer, surely?
Useful links
Read the stories of the inspirational Let’s Get Moving Champions from throughout Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.
Your local Physical Activity, Health & Wellbeing Team
For further local information and opportunities, contact your local Physical Activity, Health & Wellbeing Team.
Advice, tips and opportunities
Visit our dedicated website section which provides advice, tips and local opportunities to help you move more in your own way.
We offer a range of newsletters which will send the latest updates, events and opportunities straight to your inbox. Check out our Newsletters!
Follow our accounts on social media to see more regular opportunities and of course, updates from the Let's Get Moving Champions!
Inspired by the national This Girl Can campaign, LLR Girls Can is the place for women and girls across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland to find a way to get active that suits them.
