The way the world is changing is going to create some challenges for living healthy lives. Now that people prefer to work from home, and schools are adapting to online education. Children are getting less and less physical activity. Add to this the fact that we spend way too much time in front of screens, it is nearly certain that an impending health crisis is imminent. It used to be that kids would be exposed to enough activity that they were able to stay reasonably healthy. But if they aren’t playing during or after school, except for video games. Then parents need to turn the tide and find ways to get their children interested in being active. Here are a few suggestions that might help.
- Family Gym Membership: Families that do things together are stronger. And if mom and dad are setting a good example, the kids will often get on board. We all need some exercise, so a family gym membership makes sense. Of course, not all gyms are equal; some are more focused on hardcore weight training while some are nearly a singles club. But some gyms are family-friendly, and there are even some that are youth-focused, like the Ninja Warrior gym franchise. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and sticking with it until the benefits become apparent is something that will help your children the rest of their lives.
- Sports: The traditional way that kids enjoyed some additional exercise was through organized sports. It is still an excellent idea. Being part of a team brings much more than exercise; many life skills can be developed through the experience of team play. Teamwork, dedication, mental toughness, and good sportsmanship are all characteristics of successful people, and these things are not being learned from video games and Tik Tok. And there is always the possibility of discovering a potential sports star in the family.
- Martial Arts: Martial arts can be seen as an organized sport, but it is much more focused and physically challenging than most sports. Not only does it build strong bodies, but it creates discipline like nothing else. If there is something society is lacking today, it is discipline. Martial arts also have the cool factor about it. Who doesn’t want to have the same skillset as the superheroes that dominate the movies lately? A child who grows up with the ability to defend themselves will also be more confident and less likely to be bullied.
- Dance: We are living in a golden age of dance. If your child is more likely to be interested in dance, that is a great way to go. Dance today is highly athletic, creative, and sophisticated. And being in shape is essential to having great moves. These days it is cool to know how to dance.
Knowing your children’s tastes is the key to finding what activities they might enjoy. But don’t hesitate to try new things. You might be surprised what they find to be fun and exciting. Maybe the skate park is a better place to start, or perhaps a rock-climbing center. Whatever it is, the more you support and encourage, the better chance there is they will keep it up.
Resources:
https://www.ninjaparc.com.au/franchise-opportunities/gyms-for-sale/
https://campaigns.health.gov.au/girlsmove/activity/martial-arts