Got to keep moving

"You may may leave the home to exercise. Exercise should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area."

The benefits of exercise in relation to physical and mental health are well documented - you don't have to search very far or very hard to find a dozen or more reports, journals and articles proclaiming the mental health benefits and it's more important than ever to look after our mental health.

It can be easy to think that you'd love to go walking in the Peaks or the Lakes but if that's not your "local area" then, unfortunately, you have a social responsibility to not go. The hills and lakes were there long before you arrived and will be there long after you go - they will wait for this madness to be over and greet you in sunshine or drizzle, but only when it's safe to do so.

Fortunately, no matter where you live, there will always be somewhere you haven't been, a road not travelled or a park not explored. Even in the depths of the city there is somewhere new to go.

There are so many online resources to find new walking, running or cycling routes. Try the ramblers website, or the ordnance survey app. Even google maps will give you bird's eye view of your estate or village and may show up an area you may have missed.

The main issue is: what is your local area. Boris has muddied the waters by going 7 miles from home to cycle around the Olympic Park. For some people that's beyond their local area (would you travel 7 miles to your local shops or your local pub or takeaway?) but for others that's easily covered as part of daily exercise. If you're someone that errs on the side of caution then stay safe and try not to venture beyond your local community. Whatever you do, stay safe and follow the guidelines as much as possible.

And who doesn't like holiday planning? But it may be time for trip planning with a twist. It's hard to get excited about far off lands as we don't know when we can next travel abroad, but that shouldn't stop us looking more locally. Why not use those online resources to start short-listing walks further afield? We've eyed up a few walks in the Peaks and the Downs and Snowdonia for when we can travel a little more freely and can get away for a weekend.

How are you keeping your spirits up? Are you still getting your daily steps in? Let us know in the comments!