A new trend has appeared in women’s fitness that will transform the way you think about fitness and wellbeing – low-impact exercise. This means that you won’t need to sweat for hours at the gym, run miles every day or ‘go for the burn’ if you want to get fit, protect your health and focus on your wellbeing.

Low-impact exercise will do the trick, especially if you’re a woman over 40 or suffering from chronic health problems because moving every day is so beneficial for our bodies and our mental health.

As the name suggests, low-impact exercise focuses on slower and more gentle movements that put less pressure on your joints than high-impact exercise. Additionally, it won’t put any strain on your heart or push your heart rate up quickly, making it perfect for beginners, those who haven’t exercised for a while and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Typical low-impact exercises include walking (outside and up the stairs), yoga, Pilates, swimming, skating, dancing, doing housework, gardening, rowing, cycling and Tai Chi.

When it comes to keeping fit after 40, low-impact exercise is ideal. Here are some of the reasons why we love it.

1. Helps build and maintain muscle mass

Choose low-impact exercise and you’ll maintain and build muscle mass that typically decreases steadily with age. This is extra important during the perimenopause, menopause and postmenopausal phases when this muscle loss happens faster. Best of all, low-impact exercise will help you be stronger, more independent, and burn extra calories, even while resting.

2. Promotes good circulation

When you exercise, you’re helping your blood vessels to dilate so they can push blood around your body. This gives you a well-deserved circulation boost and helps your body use oxygen more effectively.

3. Helps you look younger

With all that extra oxygenated blood flowing around your body, you’ll look and feel much healthier, wounds will heal more quickly, your immune system will work better, and you’ll look years younger.

4. Keeps you fit without the risk of injury

With all that extra oxygenated blood flowing around your body, you’ll look and feel much healthier, wounds will heal more quickly, your immune system will work better, and you’ll look years younger.

5. Boosts your mental health

Did you know that when you exercise, your brain releases more feel-good chemicals that help you feel fantastic? Several studies have revealed that exercise really does help tackle stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

6. Improves your heart health

When you exercise regularly, your heart health will improve as your muscles become more efficient at using the oxygen in your blood. This means it won’t have to pump as hard and helps reduce your risk of heart attacks and other cardiac concerns.

7. Free (or budget-friendly) and easy to fit into your daily routine

Low-impact exercise can be done as part of a class, or at home in your own space, whenever you want and wherever you feel comfortable, making it easy to build into your daily routine, even if you believe you’re too busy to exercise.

As your day continues, and your mood and energy levels ebb and flow, having a few go-to essential oils with fresh, uplifting fragrances can help keep you on the right track and feeling your best self. Washing and moisturising your hands with a geranium or lemongrass blend will perk you up in a jiffy. In your workspace, try a reed diffuser – its scent and active aromatherapeutic properties will envelop the room.

To keep stress and anxiety at bay opt for bergamot, and to reduce mental fatigue, try peppermint – both fragrances will also leave you feeling revitalised, giving you the energy to press on with the task in hand. If things suddenly feel too much and you need immediate relief, try dabbing an essential oil blend on your wrists, temples and behind your ears. Chamomile, with its calming, mood balancing properties, is a good one to have to hand.

We understand that it’s often tricky to stick to a new fitness regime because despite your best intentions, life can get busy and you end up struggling to find time.

Don’t give up if you don’t see or feel results immediately because it can take time to notice a difference. Instead, give your new, healthier lifestyle a chance and over time, you will feel better, have more energy, and feel more motivated.

Here are some more tips to help you make low-impact exercise a habit:

Start the day with 15 minutes of yoga or stretching. Keep it simple and you’ll soon form the habit.

Walk more. If you take public transport, get off a stop early and walk the rest of the way.

Find a fitness friend. Ask your friends if anyone wants to come and exercise with you, then sign up for that yoga class, take those walks or organise an activity that keeps you both moving. You’ll find it easier to stick to that new habit and hopefully have fun too!

Move your body whenever you can. Spent the last few hours sitting at your laptop? Or sitting on the couch watching Netflix? Or commuting for hours? Stand up and get moving!

Get everything ready. If you plan to go out for a walk before work, get your comfortable clothes, trainers, and everything else you need ready to grab and go. You’ll find it easier to stick to that habit when you do this!

Consider using aromatherapy. Choose calming blends of oils such as chamomile, lavender, bergamot and ylang ylang when you want to relax, or lime, mandarin, lemongrass and verbena to get you awake and motivated. We love our Stimulating Verbena and Peppermint Pulse Point Roller for a lovely burst of energy.

Improve your physical and mental health. Look good, feel great and make every day beautiful.