Fitness 4 The power of your breath When our bodies are in pain, it often signifies to our brain that were in danger, which, in turn, can cause our breathing to change. Simply returning our attention to our breath is a quick and easy way to let our body know its safe, which can be especially useful when our breathing patterns change during exercise. Breathwork can help combat pain in many ways, says Jo Peters, author of The Little Book of Breathwork. My favourite and fastest breathwork practice that can be done absolutely anywhere is simply inhaling for a count of four and exhaling for a count of six. Give this a try when out on your next walk and notice how your body feels after. 5 Stack it up When it comes to physical activity, you might be surprised by how much you actually do. The good news? Even being on your feet making a cuppa counts! The even better news? You can stack little exercises onto existing habits, making them easier to stick to. So why not add some gentle squats in while youre waiting for that kettle to boil. 6 Add a little joy Mustering up motivation to exercise can be hard enough even more so when its painful so why not make enjoyment the driving force of your movement? Whether youre thinking of signing up to a class or just popping on your favourite music and moving your body at home, dancing is a great way to get those endorphins flowing. 28 versusarthritis.org PP26-28_Inspire_Summer 2023_Mental Fitness.indd 28 17/05/2023 12:30