Let’s face it, in this modern era of technology, more and more kids are sedentary and not getting their daily recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity. I don’t know about you, but when I suggest an enthusiastic jog around the block, I’m not met with cheers and high five’s, I’m met with the look of utter dread! As children get older, it can be extremely difficult to keep them on track with physical activity, it’s even harder if they aren’t already part of a sports club like football or netball. As a sporty parent myself, I’ve long known the benefits of exercise and bored my children to tears with the theory behind it!
But let’s get serious, a new report by the World Health Organisation, showed that four out of five adolescents in the UK are not doing enough exercise with girls lagging behind boys in staying active, the figures are the first global estimates on physical activity among 11 to 17-year-olds, involving 1.6 million students from 146 countries.
Kids and teens are more likely than ever before to spend hours every day in front of TVs, mobile devices and computers, watching videos, playing games, or using social media. One of the best ways to encourage kids to be active is by limiting sedentary activities.
Physical activity promotes bone and muscle growth, improved cardio vascular health, better posture, weight management, improved self- esteem and social skills and it also releases the happy chemicals endorphins, dopamine and serotonin.
A lack of physical activity in kids can result in:
Mood swings
Lack of sleep
Increased stress
Reduced school performance
Increased risk of disease, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes
Kids Life Coaching helps your child to set goals for daily exercise and encourages them to make good choices about their daily exercise habits. To do things they enjoy like running around in the garden, jumping on the trampoline, ride their bike or playing their favourite sport.
Encouraging children to get their daily exercise helps the body, brain and emotions, in the following ways:
Keeps the body strong and healthy, by improving bone strength, muscle strength, red blood cells, lungs and heart.
Makes the brain stronger by stimulating BNF, Brain Neurotrophic Factor, which is a neuron in the brain that sparks learning it also improves creativity and problem solving.
Can improve mental health by decreasing symptoms of depression, anxiety, pain and loneliness as exercise releases the feel good chemicals (including endorphins)
Improve focus, school performance, sleep and energy levels.
Improve relationships and a more positive body image.
To help encourages your child to get the daily physical exercise they need, you can try these things at home:
Encourage participation in age-appropriate activities and sports.
Keep it fun as children are more likely to continue if they enjoy it.
Be a role model and lead by example, go on bike rides or runs together.
Establish a regular routine. Join clubs that engage in regular training as consistency is essential to form good habits.
So, get your Joe Wicks on, your heart pumping and get cracking, you won’t regret it. Better still, book an Initial Consultation with me and we can discuss how Kids Life Coaching can help benefit your child.
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