Exercise Together for a Healthy Family Unit
By Donna Stark
Tired of working out alone? If so, why not get your entire family involved? And yes, that means your children too! It can't be stressed enough how important it is for children to remain physically active. Exercise helps to increase confidence, decrease anxiety, and improve their overall health and well-being. And when your children exercise with you? The family bonds can be strengthened more than ever before. So, what do you say? Are you ready for a stronger and healthier family unit? If so, take a look at the following tips to get you started!
Make Time
It may seem overwhelming at first to coordinate a time when everyone is free, but you may be surprised by how much free time your family members really do have once you sit down and look at their schedules. The general guideline is to incorporate at least 30 minutes of physical activity for adults and at least 60 minutes for children into your daily routine. Considering your children may be playing at recess or involved in sports throughout the day, you could probably look at smaller amounts of exercise with you, so don't be stressed about time. Your main focus here is simply to instill healthy habits.
Have Fun
There are a wide variety of workouts your family can engage in, but if your children are complaining the entire time and not enjoying themselves at all, you may be setting yourself up for disaster. Stick to those activities that everyone can get behind and have fun with. For some, that may include a gym and some weights. For others, that may mean a bike or some hiking shoes for everyone in the family. Whatever the case, it is important to find something that not only interests each individual but motivates them as well.
Set Goals
Setting goals is a great way to get everyone inspired to move! And, by sharing a common goal or supporting individual ones, the likelihood of success is sure to increase. So start with a family meeting before you begin and see where everybody wants to go with this. Who wants to achieve what results? And how, as a family, can you get there?
A Healthy Family Unit
You may be surprised by the number of benefits that come from family exercise. In fact, they may actually end up being too many to count, so don't put it off any longer! Get started today by finding some activities that everyone loves and planning those regular workouts. Your family will be stronger and healthier for it!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Jacksonville, Fla.