I try to exercise every day after work – I do a different thing on each day. This keeps me interested and breaks up the exercise routine. It also helps me to prescribe specific exercises to my patients, as I have first hand experience in what has worked for me!

Mondays – walk at the beach and watch the waves/surfers/swimmers and generally feel the sea breeze (great for stress management and when I am feeling lazy!)

Tuesdays – high intensity cycle class and sweat out all the frustrations of the day (cardio and weight loss)

Wednesday – core stability class (great to share tips with back pain sufferers)

Thursdays – muscle strengthening with light weights (osteoporosis prevention and weight loss)

Fridays – yoga/pilates/balance class with meditation at the end (reduces my anxiety levels, and helps my brain to wind down).

I find I am a more credible prescriber of SNAP, having practised what I preach. I often see patients at my gym, or they see me walking to and from work with my gym gear in my bag. I think this sets a great example. Patients sometimes tell me that they don’t have time or they are too tired to exercise.

I can genuinely tell them how exercise is helpful for both mind and body, and I try to motivate them to make time in their busy routine for self care.

Dr J, Country NSW