Keeping Your Family Physically Active
Many families find that participating in regular physical activity with their family is a great way to connect and build strong relationships. It is important to be a role model for your children. Help your kids participate in age-appropriate physical activities by setting aside time to do something together.
You can easily put action into your lifestyle by offering a variety of activities that move different muscles. Find balance between different types of physical activity (cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, strength, and balance). Set a regular schedule for physical activity and make being active a part of daily life – even if it is parking a little further from the store or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Remember to keep it fun and practice moderation (move enough to be active without overdoing it).
Adults need at least 30 minutes and children and teens need 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. We want to avoid being sedentary. Kids, teens, and adults are sitting around a lot more than they used to since nearly every aspect of our life often revolves around a screen.
Too much screen time and not enough physical activity led to numerous health issues, both physical and mental. When we are physically active on a regular basis, our bodies benefit from stronger muscles and bones, we sleep better, lower our risks for some chronic illnesses and a have better outlook on life.
Sources: The Mayo Clinic, Kidshealth.org and Eatright.org