Staying active while everyone is home
Our normal routines have been shattered. The schedule we used to follow and depend on is gone, and our temporary normal is much different. Do the walls of your home feel like a prison? Are your kids more agitated and struggling to concentrate? Consider making an exercise time that includes the whole family! Provide a new focus that’s not just the walls inside your home.
What if we challenged our preconceived ideas of what a productive day looks like? Instead of focusing for 8 hours on work, breaking the day up would actually help us all be more efficient and less stressed. Normally, our children have several periods of activity provided within the school day. But now, they’re at home, separated from their normal routine and friends and, like you, are struggling to cope. We are used to working in an environment that affords frequent breaks to communicate with colleagues or to attend meetings. We’re not meant to focus on our computers for so long that our brains get fuzzy!
Our brain functions much more efficiently when we allow ourselves to take a break. That break allows our brains to process the information we just learned and allows us space to learn or process new information.
Make the time to take a break
So, what if we created a joint family recess of sorts that allows everyone time to refocus and take advantage of the benefits of activity? A simple game of tag, a short bike ride around the neighborhood, or a family-favorite sport would allow your body and mind a refreshing break.
Not sure how to involve the whole family? Try these:
Make a family schedule. Encourage your kids to help you create a family activity schedule that you can decorate and hang somewhere in your home.
Make a pledge. Do you or your loved ones have a hard time following through when it comes to getting active? Set a goal this week to change that! Download this pledge sheet from the Let’s Move Campaign and encourage everyone in your household to participate and pledge a way they’d like to get active. Then, create a reward for participation. Set a goal and hold each other accountable!
Create games or introduce new ones. Your kids are creative and sometimes the made up games provide the most fun. Maybe you need some ideas like the ones listed here and remember that kids learn best from modeled behavior. Have fun with them!
Exercise and play with your child. I’ve found several resources for exercise routines designed for the parent and child to participate in together.
By creating a consistent activity schedule and finding ways to challenge and encourage each other, both your mental physical health will improve. You will have less frustration, more joy and likely find that your “work” or “school” time is more efficient.
Are you finding creating a family exercise plan challenging? CoreFit is here for you! Contact us here or through our Facebook page for more information on where to start.
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