Helping Kids Reap the Mental and Physical Benefits of Exercise

children and technology Sep 14, 2018

by the editorial team and Sophia Ruan Gushée

 

Digital screens and other technologies have made it more challenging for parents to get their kids to exercise.  

The American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that the majority of kids spend almost 7 hours per day engaged with some kind of technology. However, with a little ingenuity, parents can help their kids reap the many benefits of movement.

Exercise is Essential in Mental, Emotional, and Physical Health

A recent article in Business Insider reported that even Bill Gates and Steve Jobs limited their kid’s screen times. Doing so increases the likelihood of many benefits, including that children will go outside and play, or pick up a sport. Exercise advantages include:

  • Strengthening heart and lungs
  • Keeping blood sugar levels healthy and reducing the chance of non-insulin dependent diabetes
  • Reducing the risk of certain types of cancer
  • Releasing endorphins to improve mood
  • Building confidence and increasing self-esteem
  • Improving academic performance
  • Supporting mental functions such as clarity, cognition, energy, and creativity. According to the Harvard Health Blog, regular exercise helps memory and thinking, reduces insulin resistance, inflammation, and stimulates the release of growth factors by positively affecting the health and growth of brain cells.

Tips to Get Kids to Exercise More

1. Provide children with toys that encourage movements, such as jump ropes, balls, skates, bicycles, and kites. If you have the space and budget for it, ping pong (click on the image below to exploring ordering a pink pong table from Amazon) and badminton can also be an engaging activities that can elevate heart rates while also exercising hand-eye coordination.

2. Support children in joining teams and clubs.

3. Keep the television out of children's bedrooms and in a community room, like a family room.  Make TV time a shared intentional activity. During commercials, stretch, do situps and pushups to encourage your children to consider the wellness of their bodies.

4. Digital screens can also promote physical activity and fun through Just Dance videos (available on YouTube for free; an example is in the video below) and other videos that guide dance or exercise.

5. Connect with your children over a walk or hike.

6. Take the stairs.

7. Park further from the store entrance.

8. Have fun family days where each family member choose a different activity.

9. Learn a new skill with your children, such as fishing, bird-watching, rock climbing, and even a trapeze class.

10. Set a good example.

11. Plant a garden with your kids.

12. Volunteer as a family for a fundraising marathon, or walk.

13. Get everyone a pedometer so that family members can share at dinner how many steps they took so far. 

Exercise Habits Are a Win Win

Parents are role models for their children and can contribute significantly to their child’s mental, emotional, and physical health. By making movement fun and playing actively with their children, parents benefit, too. Parents who establish healthy habits themselves help the whole family stay mentally and physically fit.

 

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About Ruan Living

Ruan Living simplifies a nontoxic lifestyle through its Practical Nontoxic Living podcast, free detox workshops, online D-Tox Academy, and transformative 40-Day Home Detox. It aims to help you avoid toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from what you buy, own, and do— without compromising your joy and convenience. Ruan was founded by Sophia Ruan Gushée, author of the bestselling critically acclaimed book A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Your Toxic Exposures and several detox workbooks. A graduate of Brown University and Columbia Business School, Sophia has served on the Brown University School of Public Health Advisory Council and Well+Good Council. A popular nontoxic living speaker, consultant, and teacher, Sophia lives in New York City with her husband and three daughters. Her passion for empowering others to enjoy nontoxic living began with the birth of her first daughter in 2007. Everything she creates is a love letter to her children and for the healthiest, brightest future possible. You can learn more here: Sophia’s Impact.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. This information is provided “as is” without warranty.

It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. We do not offer medical advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other opinion on your conditions or treatment options. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Ruan Living.

In no event will Sophia Ruan Gushee or Ruan Living be liable for any damages or loss of any kind resulting from the use of this website. Anyone relying upon or making use of the information on this website does so at his or her own risk.

Some of the services and products recommended on this website provide compensation to Sophia Ruan Gushee or Ruan Living. All recommendations are based foremost upon an honest belief that the product, service, or site will benefit our site visitors in some way.  

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