Exercise and physical activity
It is not necessary to exercise hard to get better health. Small touches in everyday life can be very important.
What is a healthy life centre (HLC)?
Healthy life centres (HLCs) are a municipal service which aims to promote good health and prevent ill health. HLCs can help you set specific goals and achieve them, by finding activities and services which are suitable for you.
Guidance and follow-up will be provided both individually and in groups based on your needs and what you want to achieve. HLC is a health service which is run by health professionals.
All HLCs are responsible for helping you to:
- increase your level of physical activity
- improve your diet
- quit smoking or using snus
Many HLCs offer services to children and young people and their families. Some also offer help to cope with depression and stress, sleeping difficulties and high-risk alcohol consumption.
The Norwegian Directorate of Health also provides information about HLCs (in Norwegian).
How to get in touch
HLCs are aimed at people who have an illness or who are at greater risk of developing illness and who are in need of support to change their lifestyle or cope with health challenges.
Your general practitioner (GP), another healthcare professional or NAV can give you a referral, or you can contact your local HLC yourself.
More than half of the municipalities and districts in Norway have an HLC. If you are wondering whether there is an HLC near you, please contact your municipality or see the overview of HLCs (in Norwegian).
There are also offers in learning and mastering skills, which are intended to help you gain a better understanding of your personal situation and mastering life.
Physical activity at HLCs
HLCs will help you get started with physical activity by providing individual guidance and offers to participate in a range of groups and activities. These activities take place both outdoors and indoors and are organised so that everyone can take part, regardless of their physical fitness or ability. Emphasis is placed on the joy of physical activity and social companionship.
They can also help you find activities that are suitable for you, which you can continue doing on your own when the follow-up at the HLC is finished.
See also the Activity Diary — for people who want to get into better shape (in Norwegian), which may be useful.
Diet at HLCs
HLCs can help you improve your diet through individual guidance and "Bra mat" (good food) courses. During the course you will be given practical advice on choosing food products and cooking, learn to understand product declarations and ghet to exchange experiences with other people.
See how you can put together a healthy meal.
Quit smoking or using snus at HLCs
HLCs can help you to quit smoking or stop using snus through individual guidance and tobacco cessation courses. It is often easier to quit together with other people.
There is no single best answer to how to quit smoking or using snus. Those who get professional help tend to succeed more often than those who try on their own.
Get help to quit snuff and smoking
Use the Slutta app, talk to healthcare professionals or pharmacies, use medicines, check the offer at the nearest Healthy Life Centre.
Illustration: Helsedirektoratet
“Lev” (Live) -tools and inspiration to make changes
“Lev” (Live) is a campaign and communication initiative run by the Directorate of Health which covers physical activity, mental health, diet, tobacco, alcohol and sleep.
In connection with this, a range of digital tools have been developed and brought together to support people who want to change their lifestyle and overcome health challenges. These tools are only available in Norwegian.
One of these tools is the app “Heia meg”, which provides support in various situations.
“The Heia meg”-app
“Heia meg” (Go me) is an app for people who want to make changes to their lifestyle. The app will cheer you on every day and offers useful hints to make it easier to make changes in your life. The app is only available in Norwegian.