You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy Kids,” encourages parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time.
5 Easy Ways to Get Everyone Moving Get Fit With Your Family
Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day.
1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll. 2. Have a dance party. Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes, and boogie down for as long as you have the energy. 3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun. 4. Incorporate simple exercises into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks. 5. Get fit in the great outdoors. Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life. But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone.
What’s Better Than a Summer Road Trip?
The Friday before Memorial Day is National Road Trip Day. Perhaps that’s no surprise since it’s the long weekend that ushers in summer. After sticking close to home for the past year, many people are heartened by the vaccine news and ready to make plans to hit the open road. Road trips are a great way to bond with others and, of course, see new places, but they also come with some risks. Drowsy driving, distracted driving (especially when in an unfamiliar place), and car problems can be dangerous and potentially lead to an accident. To mitigate the risks, know your route and be prepared . This means checking your car before you embark on an adventure (especially the air pressure in your tires), ensuring you have basic safety supplies on hand, topping off fluids, and brushing up on how to change a flat tire and replace windshield wipers.
This also means getting a basic understanding of your route, traffic patterns, and potential weather conditions. Luckily, there are plenty of apps that seasoned road trippers swear by. • The Waze app will help you find the most efficient route in any congested area and avoid unforeseen road closures. • Roadtrippers can help you plan your trip from start to finish, including mileage between gas stops and your overall gas cost! • If you’re looking to be more spontaneous but still want a great deal on gas, download the GasBuddy app to find which local stations have the lowest gas prices. Once you hit the road, drive safely, defensively, and without distraction . In addition to following all the normal rules
of the road, be sure to stop frequently to rest or change drivers when possible to avoid drowsy driving. If you need a pit stop but aren’t sure where to go, add the Flush Toilet Finder app , which locates public restrooms in your area. Bringing the kids along? Be sure to pack plenty of snacks and games to keep them entertained so they don’t become a distraction. In addition to bringing a tablet loaded with games or movies, bring along some off-screen options like magnetic travel games, drawing supplies, a car scavenger hunt card game, or good old-fashioned Mad Libs. Finally, don’t forget to make a playlist of your favorite songs or download a new audiobook and bring plenty of your favorite snacks along for the ride. Happy driving!
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