July 18, 2024
As part of our Travel Well programme, we caught up with Dr Florian Batstone to see how he keeps active.
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you keep active
I’m Florian Batstone and I’m a GP. I have a busy life as a GP but I also try to be active a lot.
I cycle to work. It works out that for an extra 10 minutes of journey time choosing to cycle rather than drive, I get 25 minutes of exercise, twice a day! On days off, I walk our dog. I try to jump around to keep my upper body moving as well as my legs. I do a bit of stretching and some push-ups whilst in the park taking her for a walk.
How has been more active benefitted you?
I think it keeps me sane. It is very good for my mental health. Even if I have had a very busy day, cycling calms me down and puts a smile on my face. My cycling to and from work is very enjoyable and relaxing but also wakes me up and refreshes me.
What’s your favourite thing about walking / cycling?
It gives you time to think. It helps clear your mind and you reflect on things and you somehow do it in a more relaxed way because you are active whilst you are thinking.
How will the Travel Well activities help your patients in your area?
Inactivity and being overweight is becoming an increasing problem in society. If people move more and lose weight or maintain a healthy weight that would be fantastic for their health. It also really helps with anxiety and depression, which are increasing problems in society too. Outdoor activities and movement, built into one’s daily life – are really good for helping with these conditions.
What are the health benefits of active travel?
There is a lot of scientific evidence written about the benefits of movement and being outside. It calms your mind, reduces anxiety, reduces development of arthritis, helps you lose weight and maintain a good weight too to name but a few!
Is there any advice you’d give to your patients who want to be more active?
It will help your mental health, your physical health and you will feel better about yourself!
I think in this time where we are all increasingly worried about the climate, transporting yourself without burning fossil fuels, and being more active makes you generally feel happier about yourself.
Also, I would like to recommend that for cycling, pannier racks are really useful and they improve the experience a lot. Sadly many bike aren’t fitted with them. I recommend people get pannier racks so you don’t have to cycle with a backpack. It can be uncomfortable, cause you back pain and make your back sweaty. Also, rain trousers are a great idea!
