Easy moves to LIFT YOUR MOOD

Shape up and keep smiling with these simple exercises

Feeling low and lost your motivation? Working out might be the last thing you want to do when you’re down, but a blast of movement could be just what you need to feel lighter and brighter.

‘The link between exercise and mental health is huge,’ says Woman’s fitness expert Annie Deadman. ‘The charity Mind (mind.org.uk) states that there is solid evidence to show that people who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer from depression and stress.’ Ready to get moving? Try Annie’s routine to give your body and mind a boost.

Your happy workout starts here

These exercises use both upper and lower body muscle groups, says Annie. ‘So, as well as valuable strength training, your heart has to pump blood in both directions, which will boost your cardiovascular fitness and signal your brain to release feel-good endorphins.’ It’s a win-win.

Complete each move, working for 40 seconds, then have 20 seconds rest. Aim to do a minimum of four rounds of each. Do this session two or three times a week – plus a daily walk – to help lift your spirits.

1  PLANK ROW Get into a plank position with hands  holding a pair of dumbbells under your chest and your feet wider than your hands. Squeeze your glutes, tense your legs and engage your core. Try not to raise your hips. When ready, bring one dumb-bell towards the hip then replace and repeat with the other arm.