GET FIT WITH YOUR FAMILY
5 Easy Ways to Get Everyone Moving
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. 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.
It’s almost beach-read season! But any time is a great time to read when you’re immersed in a page-turner. While there is no shortage of books on the market — or ways to read them! — sometimes it’s hard to know how to find your next favorite novel or series. Here are three great ways to get a customized recommendation. 1. Use the web. Sometimes you’ve gotta go digital to go analog. There are several great websites that will provide recommendations for readers based on their past favorites. Email the staff of Literary Hub at BookRecs@LitHub.com a list of three books you love, and they’ll email you a personalized recommendation. Or you can check out NPR’s Book Concierge online, which lets you filter by the type of book (e.g., memoir, historical fiction, etc.) you’re looking for, as well as different categories (e.g., funny stuff, for sports lovers, etc.). WhichBook.net is similar to the NPR Book Concierge but is even more user-friendly. 2. Ask the pros. The internet is great, but there’s no substitute for an old-fashioned conversation with a fellow word nerd. Librarians may be one of the world’s most underutilized resources. They are often prolific readers and also have a keen sense of what’s popular right now. If you’re not a patron at your local library, support a local bookstore and check out the staff recommendations or ask for help in finding a book in your favorite genre. 3. Join a book club. This is a great way to introduce new authors and subjects into your literary world. Book clubs are usually free to join and come with the added benefit of getting to socialize with fellow readers. Search online for a local or virtual book club or follow along with celebrity book clubs online. If you like fun fiction, follow Reese Witherspoon’s book club, Hello Sunshine, on Instagram. com/hellosunshine. Oprah’s book club remains as popular as ever, as well. Her monthly picks range from fiction that will entertain you while making you think to self-improvement books that could change your life. If you want to go deep on current issues and support authors of color, check out rapper Noname’s book club at NonameBooks.com. Noname also sends her monthly book picks to incarcerated individuals through the Prison Program. TURN THE PAGE ON BORING BOOKS 3 Ways to Choose Your Next Read
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.
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