Kids Gotta Exercise too
Kids Gotta Exercise too
Kids lead a pretty hectic life !
Half of their day is spent at school, and the other half is spent focusing on studies and completing the homework given by teachers at school. The time for exercise, recreational activities and play is somewhat lost in this entire process. This sedentary lifestyle affects the health of children adversely to a great extent. Children must be encouraged to exercise and balance study time and physical activity time .
Sedentary Lifestyle of Kids
We live in a world where everything is driven by technology and this can lead to a sedentary lifestyle . Nowadays, we see every child with a digital device like a mobile phone or a tablet. Kids are glued to the screens , and often eat food while watching a movie or while surfing the internet. Screen time is not restricted, studies show that on an average kids spend more than 6 hours a day, sitting; and, are glued to the screen. Kids of merely 3 to 4 years of age, are seen wearing spectacles because they spend too much screen time. This habit results in your physical lethargy or laziness.
The sofa or the bed, is where they are comfortable spending their time, as this is where they are eating and sprawling around, while being busy on their tablets. This sedentary lifestyle adversely affects the health. The focus on good eating habits , playing a sport or exercising regularly is often overlooked. As a result the mind is also affected. Getting enough sunlight, playing on the lawn with friends seems to be a recreation of the past. We know that sunlight is important , and movement is also essential. Therefore, children must look after their overall health – their eyes, their diet, their bodies and also stay mentally energetic and strong!
Importance of Exercise for Kids
Physical activity is essential for a child’s lifestyle whether it is playing a sport or doing some exercises daily. There are numerous benefits for kids who exercise daily, so here are some reasons why exercise is essential :
- Exercise builds a strong and healthy heart.
- The body adapts to movement thereby building stamina .
- Kids don’t become lazy or lethargic, they remain fit and energetic.
- Healthy food habits aid digestion and also build immunity levels.
- Blood circulation in the body improves, this makes them less vulnerable to flu and seasonal illness.
Exercise also plays an important role in keeping your child mentally healthy. Movement improves blood circulation, and deep breathing exercises induce happy and positive thoughts in a child’s mind. This motivates him/her to do every task better and perform well in their academic studies.
What kind of exercise does your kid require?
Well, there are various types of exercises that you can choose from ! Physical activity like playing outdoors or doing yoga can benefit your child immensely. Exercises such as sit-ups, push ups, jumping jacks, running, and breathing exercises can be included in the child’s fitness regimen. Regular exercise improves the fitness of the child , and as a result, it improves the quality of movement and stamina while playing a game or participating in a sport. Warming up before exercise is also essential. Sports like Basketball, Football, Badminton, Lawn Tennis, swimming and Cricket are sports where each limb of the body is used in the sport or while playing the game. Many sports encourage a sense of team spirit and healthy competitiveness. This makes the activity enjoyable and interactive as well. The time allocated for exercise must be factored into the child’s schedule so that it becomes a part of their lifestyle.
Yoga, breathing , pranayama , and meditation help improve flexibility, balance and concentration . The time tested yoga practice is amazing as it offers numerous benefits for your child’s health and fitness . Besides inculcating calmness and discipline, the yoga postures improve strength and suppleness . In addition, yoga improves body posture and body awareness. Yoga and pranayama are the best forms of exercise for hyperactive kids whose minds keep running 24*7.
How to motivate your kids to exercise?
We know many parents are tired of coaxing their child to exercise. In the end, parents tend to give up. Well, there are some suggestions to help inculcate the exercise habit in your child.
Initially, you may accompany your kid to parks or play areas where other children are playing a sport and exercising. He/She may feel tempted to join the sport . If they feel hesitant, you can motivate them and tell them to make new friends. Soon, you will observe that your child is motivated to play and exercise with friends.
You can also think of fun activities such as jumping on a trampoline or playing with the frisbee or throwing a ball . A weekend playing at the beach or swimming with friends in the pool can also be fun ! Make exercise a fun activity rather than a chore. Be innovative and understand the temperament of your child so that you choose well. Also, you can discuss with your child what activities will be best suited for them . Find innovative ways to make exercise a habit !
Conclusion
The growing phase in a kid’s life is very important. Habits developed in this phase will be carried forward in their later years. They must be encouraged to form healthy habits; a healthy child will most likely become a healthy adult. Therefore , educating a child on the importance of balancing studies and exercise is crucial . Parents should raise their child and instill healthy lifestyle habits. You will observe that , often, a kid who studies more than 6 hours every day will score less than a kid who studies for 4 hours a day and also does regular exercise. This is because, according to some studies, exercise plays a major role in the retention of knowledge in the human mind. And so, an active lifestyle keeps your kid’s mind energized and refreshed and also sharpens the mind for retention of knowledge gained. Thus, exercise is essential for kids.
