Want a Healthy Kid? Here’s the Answer!
I don’t have an athletic bone in my body. Trust me, I’ve checked. I was the kind of child who was more than content being inside crafting and reading all day.
I never really thought about it until I became older and realized how important physical fitness is to healthy living. I’m relatively healthy, but I struggle to find a place for fitness in my life partly because I haven’t prioritized it — or really even thought about being athletic — until recently. Does anybody out there relate?
I can see how the saying is true: “A year from now, you may wish you had started today.” Now is the best time to get up and change how much I exercise — the weather is beginning to cooperate, and the kids are clamoring to be outside anyway!
And wouldn’t it be nice to set our kids up for success? To make sports and playing outdoors a normal part of my children’s routine so they don’t experience that same hesitation I do? Empowered kids grow into empowered women and men.
So let me break some benefits down for you:
1. Physical Fitness
Duh. Kids who are more athletic are more physically fit! But this means a more healthy immune system (read: less getting sick! yay!) and less risk for childhood obesity. These healthy benefits carry over into adulthood, too, making the habit of an active lifestyle — coupled with healthy foods, of course — a gift that keeps on giving.
2. Academic Fitness
Exercise makes little brains work better. You hear that? Smart Kids!
(I love this infographic that spells out the stats.)
Studies correlate participation in middle school athletics with better academics, increased volunteerism, and civic engagement in current events (okay, especially sports news — but it counts for something!). That “dumb jock” stereotype is looking less and less accurate, huh?
3. Emotional Fitness
Confidence. Optimism. Cooperating on a team. It’s not too hard to see how participation in sports can bring about these desirable traits. Research also indicates that athletic kids tend to have less likelihood of dependence on tobacco, drugs, and alcohol and decreased likelihood of teenage pregnancy. How’s that for healthy living?
Man, looking back over these benefits makes me remember the importance of physical activity all over again. Let’s lace up some new tennis shoes and get out there!
If you’re looking for an organized sports program, having an enjoyable first-time experience is important. Look for a program where:
- all kids get to play
- good sportsmanship is valued
- skill levels are matched
- kids are having fun
Even if you don’t participate in organized sports, you can still be active together as a family.
Try going for a family walk, bike ride, or hike. Throw a ball or frisbee in the back yard. Stuck indoors on a rainy day? Buy (or make!) some fitness dice and let the good times roll. (Affiliate link, and I haven’t tried these but they look so fun! Anyone else used them?)
It doesn’t have to be laborious or fancy. If you make it a priority to be a physically active family, you’ll be well on your way to healthy living!
How about some more healthy ideas? Follow our Pinterest boards… we’re always adding more awesomeness.
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4 thoughts on “Want a Healthy Kid? Here’s the Answer!”
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I’d love for my son to be engaged in outdoor activities and I believe in all the benefits he can get from it. Nowadays, it’s easy for kids to stay indoors and watch movies or play games on the computer and tablets, etc. LOL.. 😀 There’s nothing wrong about it though, it’s just that sometimes, parents (including me) and kids forget that there’s a world outside! 🙂
So true. Right there with you!
Getting the entire family involved is extremely important in making sure that the children are active. Children follow the example from their parents. This is a great post! Thanks for sharing with Countdown in Style.
Thank you for stopping by! 🙂