What the UK's Most Active Region Can Teach Us About Healthy Ageing

I love it when research confirms something I've always felt to be true.

A recent report from Our Future Health, based on information shared by almost two million people, found that the South West is the most physically active region in the UK, with more than 57% of participants meeting the NHS recommendations for physical activity.

As someone who grew up in Devon and now lives and works in Gloucestershire, that didn't surprise me at all. We're incredibly lucky to be surrounded by rolling hills, woodlands, rivers and coastlines. Walking the dog, gardening, swimming in the sea, cycling to the shops or simply getting outside are part of everyday life for many of us. Here, movement often feels less like exercise and more like a way of life.

What struck me most, though, wasn't the statistics. It was the reminder of why movement matters in the first place.

So often we think about exercise in terms of weight loss or fitness goals. While those can be important, regular movement offers so much more. It helps us sleep better, lowers stress, keeps our muscles and joints strong, and supports our brain health. Most importantly, it helps us stay independent so we can continue doing the things we enjoy for years to come. To me, that's what ageing well is all about.

The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, together with strength training on two or more days. As we get older, balance and flexibility become just as important. That might sound like a lot, but it doesn't have to mean hours in the gym.

Movement can be woven into everyday life. It might be walking with a friend instead of meeting for coffee, gardening, swimming, taking the stairs, dancing around the kitchen or joining a Pilates class. Every little bit counts, and the best form of exercise is the one you enjoy enough to keep doing.

Another finding that caught my attention was what researchers called the "midlife exercise gap". Activity levels often dip during our thirties before increasing again later in life. Men tend to be most active in their twenties, while women's activity levels continue to rise around retirement, eventually overtaking men's after the age of 65. I find that incredibly encouraging because it shows that it's never too late to build healthier habits.

One of the greatest benefits of living in the South West is that nature is never far away. Spending time outdoors encourages us to move without it feeling like another job on the to do list. Fresh air, daylight and green spaces can help reduce stress, lift our mood and support better sleep. Sometimes the healthiest thing we can do is leave our phones at home and head outside for a walk.

Whether you're already active or looking for a gentle place to start, remember that every bit of movement makes a difference. You don't have to be perfect and you don't have to do it all at once. Small, consistent choices build healthier bodies, calmer minds and happier lives.

If this report tells us anything, it's that healthy ageing isn't about perfection. It's about making simple choices, day after day, that help us feel stronger, healthier and happier, both now and in the years ahead.

To your health,

Rose