Physical Health
How:
Take time to encourage healthy habits in your children. Spending time with them being active or doing these activities together as a family can be so much fun!
Consider the Consequences – During stressful times we often fall to habits that can be harmful on our health. This site outlines the health impacts from vaping.
Build your best day is an online way to provide children and youth with choice of fun and creative physical activities. Everything from running from Zombies to sword fighting a pirate is included. There are even quiet activities that encourage connection with others. This handout helps children and youth plan their best day!
Races/Competitions:
This is an extremely obvious kind of physical activity. You can organize races with a small prize for your child in a yard or area around your house.
Get creative with the type of race. You can have a three-legged race, a one-legged race, a crab walk race, etc.
Also, let’s not forget the classic race of deciding on a finish point that’s a bit far off and any route can be used to get there to see who wins. Jump rope (skipping rope) races are great, too, as its maximum leg exercise combined with a cardio workout!
Create some skipping, bike, hacky sack, scooter, skateboard, dribbling, volleying, etc. challenges for self or others.
Why:
Exercise increases your overall health and your sense of well-being, which puts more pep in your step every day. But exercise also has some direct stress-busting benefits. It pumps up your endorphins. Physical activity helps bump up the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins.
Getting outdoors for a walk or exercising inside helps to boost your mood, provides a temporary distraction or escape from the worries of the day. It will also help you sleep better and leave you feeling accomplished and confident.