Life in Salford 29 • June 2020 18
Staying well If you want to lose weight, stop smoking and improve your health, Salford City Council’s health improvement service is here to help. The service has put its community groups on pause for now – but has launched Health Improvement Connect. It will use every means it can, from What’s App, Zoom, Facebook and email to phone support or even posting information to your home to carry on supporting people. There’s a full range of activities from live cook along healthy eating sessions to gardening groups. Call the Spirit of Salford Helpline on 0800 952 1000 or email health. improvement@salford.gov.uk or visit www.salford.gov.uk/his
Keep active
Stop smoking
It’s really important to keep moving and even a small amount of activity can lift your spirits and boost your mental health.
There’s never been a better time to stop as smokers are at higher risk of more at risk from serious complications of coronavirus.
Twenty to 30 minutes a day or 150 minutes a week of exercise which leaves you just slightly out of breath is recommended but if you’re not used to this level of activity build up slowly. Walking is an easy way to do this and you can work it into your day in 10 minute bursts. Taking a daily walk helps you get fitter and stronger and helps lower your blood pressure. Join in the walk everyday programme and share your step count. If you’re looking to improve your mobility, gently tone and strengthen your muscles and try to prevent falls, ask for their easy exercises which you can do sitting in a chair. Or if you’re looking for something more challenging the couch to 5K group will help you go from sofa surfer to runner. There are also virtual exercise classes and a cycling group with expert advice to help you ride safely.
Smoking damages your lungs, increases your risk of respiratory diseases and weakens your immune system, making it harder to fight infections. It also raises your chance of developing heart disease and various cancers. Smoking exposes you to around 4,000 chemicals and reduces the oxygen in your blood which affects your skin. You’re also burning through money. Based on a pack of cigarettes costing £10.04, 20-a-day smokers can expect to spend £3,664 per year and 40-a-day smokers will spend £7,329 per year. Salford City Council’s stop smoking service can tailor support to meet your needs and help you plan to quit and achieve your goals. Staff can offer podcasts, video conferencing, regular emails, telephone support and prescriptions for nicotine replacement therapy including patches, gum or nasal sprays. www.salford.gov.uk/stopsmoking
