York Health Trainers are encouraging residents to look after their health and wellbeing as the largest-ever FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off this week.
With 104 matches taking place across Mexico, Canada and the USA over the next five weeks, thousands of football fans will be tuning in - often late into the night - which can disrupt routines and make it harder to maintain healthy habits.
As any football fan will tell you, spectating can be a tense and nervous experience so will put extra pressure on York residents already trying to improve their health and make positive lifestyle changes.
The York Health Trainers team help hundreds of people a year stop smoking, drink less, eat healthier and get more active and continue to do so every week.
They understand the importance of sport and community so have come up with some short video health tips to help viewers enjoy the World Cup without sacrificing the positive changes they’ve already made in their lives.
The tips cover topics such as avoiding unhealthy temptations late at night when games are being played, staying hydrated throughout long viewing sessions and making sure to get adequate rest if you’re watching matches in the early hours when you’d usually be asleep!
Watch out for them appearing on our social media and YouTube channel before England and Scotland matches and throughout the tournament.
Andrew Fenton worked with the health trainers to improve his own physical fitness and health this year.
He said:
“The Health Trainers helped me reset and get my fitness and health back onto an even keel. They gave me goals to set for myself and helped me change habits that I had got into.
“Since working with the trainers I’ve been losing weight – initially a stone and eventually two and a half stone!
“Making healthy changes is challenging but all of life is a challenge. All you can do is try to be the best you can be now – so you’re making it easier on yourself and your health in the future.
“You’ll have high and lows on your fitness journey, but the important thing is to stay the course and do the work. The trainers will support you and by sticking with it, you’ll have more good days than not."
Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care at City of York Council, said:
“We want everyone to enjoy the excitement of the World Cup, but it’s important that it doesn’t come at the cost of your health.
“These simple tips are about helping people make small, realistic choices - whether that’s drinking a bit less, staying hydrated or getting enough rest - so they can enjoy the tournament and still feel their best.”
Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health at City of York Council, said:
“We hope residents and the many visitors coming into our city over the next few weeks will enjoy themselves during the tournament and will remember to take care of themselves and their health too.
“The tips from our York Health Trainers will hopefully remind people to prioritise their own health and wellbeing and either begin or build simple, helpful, healthy lifestyle habits.”
Scott Kay, one of the York Health Trainers, gave the following advice on sensible drinking and staying hydrated.
He said:
“Look at the tournament fixture schedule in advance and decide beforehand which matches you’d like to have a drink during and which you’ll skip.
“Remember hydration is important, especially later at night, so incorporate water and/or soft drinks in between any alcoholic drinks.
“Because a lot of games are kicking off later than usual and during the working week, see if you can switch to low or non-alcoholic versions of your favourite drinks so you can enjoy the taste and wake up fresh and winning – hopefully like the England and Scotland teams will!”
If you live in York, you can get free health advice and support by visiting www.york.gov.uk/healthtrainers; by calling 01904 55 33 77 or by texting 07789 946384.
Free appointments with York Health Trainers are available face to face from 9.00am to 5.00pm at venues across the city (leisure centres, GP practices, children's centres and community centres) or by video call or telephone from 8.00am to 7.00pm.