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Messages of Hope and Friendship #2
17/04/2020

What am I doing? Noel Thatcher MBE 
Paralympian, 5-Time Gold Medallist


We are all living in challenging times.  The COVID-19 global pandemic has changed our lives virtually overnight bringing huge challenges to our physical and mental health and well-being.


This is compounded by the vital need to maintain social distancing and self-isolate.


As a Paralympian, Physiotherapist and ambassador for several disability and sports organisations I know just how important it is to exercise to maintain a healthy mind and immune system so here are some of the ways in which I have tried to stay in good shape during the restrictions.


Above everything it is absolutely vital to follow the Government’s rules on social distancing and exercising in your home or close by in open spaces. 


 Exercise should be fun and that means different people will like different types of exercise.  I have been walking, running, playing football with my son as well as doing ラジオ体操 (Japanese Radio Exercises). I have also been using simple relaxation techniques and breathing exercises to help deal with the anxiety and uncertainty of the current situation.  This is also useful when you are sharing a small space with the same people for long periods of time. Where possible try to exercise in nature. 


It is great to do some breathing exercises with the breeze on your skin and the bird song as a soundtrack.


As well as exercise I have been trying to sleep more and eat well both of which help my mental and physical well-being.  It is when you are asleep that your body recharged so lack of sleep can be a real challenge in coping with our new way of life.


I would love to hear how you have been keeping yourself healthy so please let me know @noelthatcher on Twitter


Noel Thatcher MBE is a five-time gold medallist Paralympic athlete from the United Kingdom. As well as excelling in athletics, he is a fluent Japanese speaker who spent a number of years living in Japan. Noel uses both his running expertise and knowledge of Japanese in his work. He is both a physiotherapist and an advisor on Japanese language and culture.