Happy February!
With Valentine’s Day drawing near, February is designated heart health month. One of the top New Year’s resolutions made (and broken) is to exercise more. By one month into the new year, most have given up on that resolution and gone back to their usual routines. If exercise is already part of your daily/ weekly routine, wonderful. If it is isn’t, it is never too late to start. And what better example to set with your children than for you as parents to also set aside time to exercise as well.
We all know regular exercise is one of the pillars in maintaining optimal health regardless of age and body size. This does not necessarily mean spending lots of money on exercise equipment, gym memberships, or organized sports teams. Rather, the focus should be on enjoyable activities, preferably as a family, that allows you and kids to move your body to get the blood flowing, muscles working and have fun!!! It really doesn’t matter what you do as long as you move and get your heart rate up.
The benefits of exercise are incalculable. It not only keeps bodies strong as kids grow and adults age, but it also increases concentration and is protective against mental health problems. Exercise increases endorphins that are the body's feel good hormones that can reduce stress and increase positive feelings. Some exercises can also increase bone density, something important as we age.
Small children are always on the move. Finding ways to help them burn that energy during the day will likely pay off for you later at bedtime.
Some ideas for indoor activity during the winter for the whole family include YouTube videos on yoga or kid workouts. Or simplify, turn up the music for an indoor dance party. See who can come up with the craziest moves. The winner picks the bedtime story later that evening or gets the night off from doing dinner dishes.
Take short breaks during homework time with stretching/jumping jacks, walks outside or a quick bike ride ( with a helmet).
Parents, if your child is involved in organized sports, take the time to walk around the gym or track while they practice their own sports.
It takes about 30 days to create a habit. If you and the family can commit to exercise for 30 days, you might find you won’t want to miss days after that. It’s best to schedule it onto the calendar since you are less likely to cancel on yourself if you actively carve time out of your day. It’s never too late to start and your children will enjoy spending the time with you.
