Active living for all people means engaging in regular physical activity and lifestyle choices that promote health, mobility, and well-being at every stage of life.
Tips & Links
Active living helps people with health conditions improve their physical strength, mobility, and overall quality of life. It can also reduce symptoms, manage chronic conditions, and boost mental well-being, promoting greater independence and preventing further health decline.
Things to Do
- Consult your physician or specialist before starting any new activity to ensure the activity is safe and appropriate for you.
- Before starting a new program, assess your fitness level to match your abilities and interests.
- Ask a physiotherapist to suggest exercises best suited to specific condition. Focus on your abilities, explore mobilities aids/devices that could support your activities such as walking poles to improve your function and promote safety.
- Track and record your exercises, any discomfort or pain, changes or new symptoms, and any sleep problems.
- Choose activities that you enjoy as people are more likely to stick with them in the long term.
Make a Plan
- Consult with your physician or specialist before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
- Make an active living plan that meets your own interests with some suggestions from Healthlink BC.
- Learn about the benefits of staying active if diagnosed with cancer or other chronic conditions from the Canadian Cancer Society.
- Make a plan to engage in regular (daily) physical activity to improve strength, flexibility, and balance. This can include activities like walking, swimming, weight-lifting, stretching, yoga, Pilates, or Tai Chi.
- Learn about ways to stay active with a mobility-restricting condition such as arthritis from Healthlink BC.
- Include activity as part of your self-management plan as outlines by the Arthritis Society of Canada.
- Explore local community classes like low-impact aerobics, yoga, or strength training, designed for different health needs.
- Check out recreational programs at community centers in your area offering activities like swimming, walking groups, or arts programs that may improve both physical and mental health.
- Look into outdoor activities for people with health conditions and disabilities, such as those from BC Mobility Opportunities Society. Also, learn about your accessibility to outdoor spaces and how to stay safe.
- For children and youth with different health needs, explore inclusive sports programs like the Special Olympics, Adaptive and Supportive Programs, and Vista Sport BC‘s accessible sports teams.
- For seniors and older adults – check BC Parks and Recreation for programs like “Choose to Move”.
Add your activity plan and goals to your Mywell Health Planner. Ensure your care partners are aware of your goals and explore ways they can offer support and assistance.