News
As the days get shorter and the weather becomes cooler, getting out and about can sometimes feel a little more difficult. For people who are blind or partially sighted, darker evenings, wet weather and changing conditions can bring additional considerations too.
Staying active, however, doesn’t have to mean going for a long run or spending hours in the gym. Small amounts of regular movement can support physical health, confidence, independence and wellbeing.
Here are five ways to keep moving as we head into autumn.
1. Find ways to stay active indoors
When the weather isn’t on your side, there are plenty of ways to keep moving without heading outside.
Gentle stretching, chair-based exercises, yoga or following an accessible exercise session at home can all help you stay active. Even everyday activities around the house can contribute towards keeping your body moving.
The important thing is finding something that feels comfortable, enjoyable and suitable for you.
2. Keep walking – but adapt to the conditions
A change in weather doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stop enjoying regular walks.
As the evenings become darker, you might prefer to plan walks during daylight hours or choose familiar routes. Wet leaves, puddles and changing surfaces can also create additional obstacles, so allow yourself more time and consider whether you would feel more comfortable walking with somebody else.
If you use a long cane or guide dog, you may also find that your usual route feels different as conditions change.
3. Make exercise social
Staying active can be much easier when you’re doing it with other people.
Meeting a friend for a walk, joining a group or taking part in an organised activity gives you an opportunity to move while also enjoying some company.
At Bradbury Fields, our Health and Wellbeing activities provide opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to meet others, try different activities and stay connected.
4. Try something new
Autumn can be a great opportunity to find a new activity.
You could try swimming, an exercise class, dancing, an accessible sport such as goalball, or something completely different. You don’t have to be particularly sporty or experienced – the best form of exercise is often simply one that you enjoy enough to keep doing.
If you’re interested in trying goalball locally, the Mersey Sharks offer an opportunity to get involved. The club is delivered through SAVI Northwest, with the new goalball season due to begin in October.
Goalball is specifically designed for people with visual impairments and can be a great way to stay active, meet other people and try something a little different.
If you’re unsure whether an activity will be accessible, speak to the organiser beforehand about any support or adjustments you may need.
5. Build movement into your everyday routine
Being active doesn’t always need to be a planned exercise session.
Walking a little further, taking regular movement breaks, doing some gardening or moving around while completing everyday tasks can all add up.
Setting yourself small, achievable goals can also make staying active feel much more manageable. What matters is finding a routine that works for you rather than comparing yourself with somebody else.
Staying active with sight loss
Changing weather and darker days can present additional challenges for people living with sight loss, but they don’t have to mean giving up the activities you enjoy.
Bradbury Fields supports blind and partially sighted people across Merseyside to build confidence, maintain independence and take part in a range of activities.
If you’d like to find out more about our Health and Wellbeing activities or the support available through Bradbury Fields, get in touch with our team on 0151 221 0888 or email healthandwellbeing@bradburyfields.org.uk