Adults across North Somerset are being urged to be more active after statistics revealed approximately one fifth of adults in the area are not meeting national health guidelines.

North Somerset Council’s Sports and Active Lifestyles team have launched a “Your 30 Minutes Your Way” campaign which aims to encourage adults to be more active each day and that being active doesn’t need to cost money.

Current guidelines from Public Health England recommend that adults should be moderately active – meaning your heart rate is increased but you can still hold a conversation - for at least 150 minutes per week.

As well as the numerous physical benefits, being active can also aid good mental health. It can improve sleep, maintain a healthy weight and manage stress, and improve overall quality of life.

However, the latest Active Lives Adult Survey published by Sport England earlier this year showed that 23% of North Somerset residents aged over the age of 16 are classified as ‘inactive’ and are taking part in less than 30 minutes a week of physical activity.

“Most of know that we should be physically active” said Cllr Mike Bell, executive member with responsibility for adult health. “But, for a lot of us, modern life seems to get in the way and we can find it difficult to fit physical activity into our daily lives.

“We want to remind people of the important health benefits of being physically active and help them find a way to get active that they enjoy and can maintain.

“Being active doesn’t have to mean spending money on gym memberships or exercise classes. Walking your dog, dancing, gardening, even household chores can all ‘count’ as being active. It’s any physical activity that raises your heart rate, gets you feeling a bit warmer but when you could still have a conversation with someone.

“It’s all about getting active in a way which you enjoy so that you’ll make a permanent change and lead a more active lifestyle. It really is a case of your 30 minutes, your way”

Residents are being asked to pledge they will try and take part in 30 minutes of physical activity each day.

To sign up to Your 30 Minutes, Your Way and be in with a chance of winning a prize, go to www.n-somerset.gov.uk/your30minutesyourway. You can also follow Go 4 Life North Somerset on Facebook for regular updates, news and ideas on how to be more active.