Sitting Too Much Can Be Detrimental to Kids
By Stephen R. Farris
Just how much time spent sitting is too much time for our kids? They spend a lot of time in seats. Think about it. A normal school day usually last about seven or eight hours on average, especially with a lot of school districts going to longer days. So the majority of their school day, that 7-8 hours, is spent sitting down.
Sure, there may be an occasional break like gym class, walking between classes, and going to the lunchroom; but see, that's even more sitting -- sitting at lunch, sitting in class. As your doctor or chiropractor would tell you, all that sitting each day for our kids is just as unhealthy as it is on adults.
This unhealthy habit can lead to future health problems as well, such as colon and pancreatic cancer, heart disease, and back and neck issues just to name a few. And let's not talk about all those video games and telephone apps they play for hours on end sitting down.
There are ways to get your kids to be more active.
Changing Your Home Routine
One of the first things school children like to do when they get home for school is to plop down in front of the television or break out the smartphone and chat with their friends on social media apps. That's fine and it helps bring down their stress levels, but even those should be limited to maybe an hour or so each day. There are things that need to be done around the house as well. Rooms need to be cleaned and trash needs to be taken out, so assign them with responsibilities to do before they can relax. Or maybe set those up to do before and after dinner. That will get them moving around a little more at home.
Exercise as a Family
We all need to stay active in some form or fashion. Make it a habit to get up earlier each morning and have the kids join you in a walk or jog. After work and school, workout together. Try yoga or aerobic exercising. You can plan ahead of time and do some active games outside, like badminton, basketball or head to the nearest park and play tennis. You might even retreat to your roots and play a game of tag. You're it!
The point is, for their health and well-being, they need to be active, especially in their growing years.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Orange Park, Fla.