This article was written by a Kooth mental health writer and contains the following themes: movement, mental health, being active, mentions of food.

We’re often told that being active is really good for our bodies and minds. While most of us can agree that being active is something we should do, the reality is that not everyone feels able to be active by playing sports or joining a gym. Some of us don’t feel like we have the energy – at least not every day!

Moving naturally, however, is something everyone can do on their own terms. Moving naturally is about finding small, achievable ways to move more every day. Moving naturally might include playing sports, but it doesn’t have to if it’s not our thing. Everyone can be active in their own unique way. We don’t have to be good at sports, or be the fastest runner; we can simply find ways to move that works for us.

**Here are five ways you can easily add movement to your day.**

### 1. Have a morning stretch

When you wake up in the morning, spend some time stretching your body. Whether that’s having a giant yawn with your arms stretched up to the sky while you’re still in bed, or doing some more purposeful stretching as you get out of bed, stretching is a great way to add a bit of natural movement to your morning routine.

### 2. Walk the dog

If you’re lucky enough to have a furry friend, taking them out for a walk benefits you as well as them, even if at first, it’s only five minutes down the road and back. Not only can walking the dog help you to be active naturally, being out in the fresh air, meeting others, and just spending some time with your pet can help you feel good, too.

### 3. Play outside

Playing out is not just for little kids. Whether you get out in the garden, meet some mates for a kick-around in the park, go for a bike ride, or even find a tree to climb, getting out to do something playful and fun in whatever way works for you can make such a difference to how you feel physically and mentally. 

### 4. Move more at home

When you’re relaxing at home, taking the easy approach to do things can become second nature, especially now we have more gadgets to do things for us! Changing things up slightly can add some movement to even your most chilled out days. 

* Get up and change the channel rather than using the remote.

* Get it yourself instead of asking someone else to get you something.

* Help out around the house if you can.

* Collect your food rather than ordering in. 

* Play an active video game that gets your body moving.

* Dance to your favourite song

### 5. Be your own transport

If it’s an option, why not get from A to B in a way that gets you moving more. Walking, cycling, or even skateboarding might be do-able if you’re not going that far, rather than relying on lifts, or public transport. If that doesn’t feel possible, maybe using the stairs rather than a lift or escalator when you’re out and about feels more manageable? 

**How do you add natural movement to your day? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.**