Winter days bring lazy ways. It's the season for excessive television, videogames and movies. But being stationary for long periods of time is not healthy-physically, mentally and even emotionally. Grab the kids and try some of these easy, creative, exercise tips. All you need to do is keep your body moving.
Five Ways To Get The Family Moving
1. Attempt the kids' stuff. Pick up a hula-hoop or jump rope and show your kids that exercise is fun.
2. Bend and stretch! You don't have to mountain climb to get your exercise. Simply stretching your muscles can be relaxing, stress-relieving and beneficial to your body's blood flow and flexibility.
3. Do the Hustle! A great form of exercise is dancing. Throw on your favorite CDs and have a family dance party. Don't forget to exchange new moves.
4. Feel the burn. Create an exercise plan, and teach your family as if it were your very own aerobics class. Each family member takes a turn being the instructor.
5. Jump for joy. An increasingly popular toy is the trampoline, and they're not just for outdoors either. Place a portable one in a room in your home that has high ceilings and you and your family can bounce the day away!
Work It Out!
Exercising is not only beneficial to physically staying in shape, but it's also important for your mental and emotional well-being. Exercising releases chemicals in the brain called endorphins that give you an overall feeling of contentment. It also reduces the risk for several diseases including heart disease, adult-onset diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers. Exercise may also help prevent, or be effective in treating, some mental illnesses, such as depression. Introduce your kids to exercise early in life, and they'll have the formula to achieve a happy, healthy lifestyle.
For more on exercise and fitness, read Beat the Blahs.
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