Everyone has heard it said that regular exercise is good for us increasing our brain function and improving our mental well-being. But how do you get started? It can be next to impossible at this time of year for lots of reasons.
We all know that some form of exercise is good for us. Be it full on actively participating in team sports, a game of Boccia or a more leisurely activity like a stroll around our lovely waterfront. For a lot of people taking the next step and getting started can be the biggest hurdle.
For those who have never heard of a ‘Green Prescription’ this is a heath professional’s written advice to a patient to be physically active, as part of the patient’s health management.
The programme encourages general practitioners and the community to work together and those involved include:
- general practitioners
- practice nurses
- patients
- physical activity providers
- regional sports trusts (such as Sport Northland and Sport Otago)
- primary health organisations
- district health boards
- Māori health providers
- Community groups.
Most people are not aware they can make a “Self-Referral” to join up with an exercise programme with Sport Northland under the Green Prescription scheme, and Sports Northland will do the work on your behalf in regard to getting your Medical Practitioner’s referral process done. This simplifies things and saves you money, not just with the Doctor’s visit but in joining various physical exercise activities, e.g. Gym membership, fitness classes, Swimming Pool membership and lots lots more.
For more information about the various discounts available throughout Northland follow this link to the Ministry of Health website or phone Sports Northland on 0800 22 84 83.
This scheme is available for individuals and families in the Whangarei, Dargaville, Kerikeri, Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Paihia and Bay of Islands areas.
Physical exercise can help everyone – give it a go and improve your well-being, and that of the whole family.