Jo Whiley: ‘Exercise and bitching with friends are my go-to mood-boosters’
What makes you feel good?
Is it a long walk in the woods with your dog, a sweaty HIIT session or an afternoon gossiping with friends?
Whatever your preference, it’s more important than ever to carve out these mood-boosting moments in your day.
A recent study from AXA Health showed that 60% of us admit to having less get up and go in the winter months, which is no surprise.
However, it also found that 70% of us said short bursts of activity can lift our spirits and make us feel better.
‘A cup of coffee and a croissant in the morning definitely sets me up for the day,’ says radio DJ and television presenter Jo Whiley, 56.
‘Then I try and swim two to-three times a week and I’ve made myself start working out with a trainer. Oh my God, I went on Monday and I’m still in pain. I also play badminton or table tennis with my youngest daughter Coco, but I try to be realistic and not put too much pressure on myself.
‘Yesterday, I went swimming and there were some people training for a triathlon. I felt like I should be doing something like that, but I have a shoulder injury and I was just happy doing my 30 lengths. We should be inspired by others but realistic about what is obtainable for us as individuals. That might be taking up the 50 Squats A Day challenge, some skipping at home, or just going for a walk.’
The AXA Health campaign is trying to encourage people to think differently about how and where they get their feelgood moments from, to boost not only physical health but mental health, too.
‘I know if I’m having a day where I feel particularly bleak, the best thing I can do is swim, go for a run or just take my dogs – Brodie the Sproodle and Django the Golden Retriever – for a walk,’ says Jo.
‘If I can combine the walk with a catch-up with a friend, I find that particularly therapeutic. Yesterday, I didn’t want to go swimming as it was cold and wet outside, but I made myself and as soon as I got in the water and did a couple of lengths, I felt better. It really changes my headspace and my mindset.’
Jo has spoken openly about how she has struggled with menopause symptoms like low self-esteem and brain fog. And, while she says she’s ‘a bit further down the line now with it now,’ she credits Davina McCall and Mariella Frostrup for getting the conversation going.
‘I’m just so happy people have spoken out and there’s no longer the stigma there once was. We just need to carry on that conversation. It’s fine to say “my hormones are all over the place today and I’m really struggling,” and thankfully there’s lots of information out there now. I’m OK at the moment and I feel strong and healthy, but if I am having a bad day, exercise and bitching with my friends is my go-to mood-booster.’
Jo currently presents her Jo Whiley Show on weekday evenings on Radio 2 so is no stranger to the elusive work/life balance.
She lives in Northamptonshire with her husband Steve, who she married in 1991, and they have four children together: India (29), Jude (23), Cassius (20), and Coco (13).
In 2014, she undertook a 26-hour treadmill challenge for Sport Relief and then in 2020 she completed the Dare2Tri challenge in Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester for the same cause.
‘I’m always up for a challenge and I love all those obstacle courses like Tough Mudder,’ she says.
‘I like signing up to events because once you’ve committed to doing an event, you have a huge incentive and you simply have to get on with training for it. I’d like to do the Blenheim Palace Triathlon again, I just have to rope in some friends. We had a blast last time, we were such a motley crew.
‘Running a marathon is not for everyone, so maybe it’s a Parkrun, or Couch to 5k. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have right clothes and equipment, at the end of it you’ll feel fantastic.
‘It’s important to keep on top of your health and wellbeing even if you’re not feeling up to it. A few star jumps while the kettle boils or singing power ballads at full volume while doing the vacuuming will do wonders.
Jo, is looking forward to a summer of fun.
‘I can’t wait for a family holiday,’ she says.
‘We haven’t seen my husband’s Dad for two years and he’s in his mid-eighties and lives in Thailand. Then we have a summer of festivals coming up. Glastonbury! Hurrah! And Latitude, etc. I’ll be going along with my family I’m so looking forward to socialising and having fun times again.’
Jo Whiley is the face of AXA Health’s Feelgood Health campaign. For more info, go to axahealth.co.uk/feelgoodhealth/the-hub.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
MORE : ‘The first two weeks are really important’: Paralympian Sean Rose on the importance of rehab for spinal injuries
MORE : Sleep expert reveals top tips for having a better nap
MORE : Here’s why getting back into exercise is so hard after you take a break
window.fbApi = (function () {
var fbApiInit = false; var awaitingReady = [];
var notifyQ = function () { var i = 0, l = awaitingReady.length; for (i = 0; i < l; i++) { awaitingReady[i](); } }; var ready = function (cb) { if (fbApiInit) { cb(); } else { awaitingReady.push(cb); } }; var checkLoaded = function () { return fbApiInit; }; window.fbAsyncInit = function () { FB.init({ appId: '176908729004638', xfbml: true, version: 'v2.10' }); fbApiInit = true; notifyQ(); }; return { 'ready' : ready, 'loaded' : checkLoaded }; })(); (function () { function injectFBSDK() { if ( window.fbApi && window.fbApi.loaded() ) return; var d = document, s="script", id = 'facebook-jssdk'; var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) { return; } js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async = true; js.src = "https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); } if ( !document.body.classList.contains('image-share-redesign') && 'object' === typeof metro ) { window.addEventListener('metro:scroll', injectFBSDK, {once: true}); } else { window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', injectFBSDK, {once: true}); } })();
For all the latest Lifestyle News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.