“Being physically active…can help add years to life and life to years”

Yes, absolutely, we agree – in fact, do more if you can! And for many of us, the easiest and most accessible way to do this is to get active outdoors. Furthermore, the staggering number of options in nature that are available to citizens around Europe means that there is plenty on offer to always keep your experiences enjoyable and interesting. Whether searching for wildlife in the back yard and local parks close to home, or completing a list of far flung summits that you want to reach, the opportunities are really varied. Wherever you live and however experienced you are, the outdoors offers something for you.

We love these words from WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: “Being physically active is critical for health and well-being — it can help add years to life and life to years.” He added that “every move counts” and we wholeheartedly endorse these statements, which underpin much of what the #itsgreatoutthere campaign stands for – just have a look at the huge range of stories and activity ideas on this website alone.

It’s also really important to note that the WHO’s guidelines are the reference in the field of physical activity promotion and have been for a long time. These new guideline are published at a very crucial moment and a vital aspect about them is that they now take a very inclusive approach, with specific guidelines for people with disabilities. More than ever before, the World Health Organization is stressing the importance of every bit of activity for everyone, under the new motto ‘Every move counts’, and this too is completely aligned with the goals of the coalition.

You can read more about the WHO guidelines HERE.