Healthy Movement in the New Year
January Exercise Resolutions
January has many parents and families considering how to be healthier in the new year. Often, this looks like goals for more physical activity and exercise. We may dream of routines, progress, and change.
Then, reality hits. Busy schedules, winter cold, and post-holiday tiredness settle in, and physical movement takes a back seat. It can feel overwhelming to get back on track, which leads to disappointment and feelings of failure.
But it doesn’t have to be that way!
Here are 3 things to consider to make healthy movement change as a family:
1) Make Your “Why” as Powerful as Possible
Too many of us begin exercise goals with aesthetic reasons or vague motivations that this is something we “should” be doing. But what if it could mean more? Connecting with motivation that ties into feelings of autonomy and relatedness can be more powerful and lead to more long-lasting change.
Consider whether any of these apply to your family:
Physical activity can promote healthy habits early for life
Physical activity improves physical growth (e.g. muscles, skeletal, cardiovascular) and gross motor movement
Benefits of physical activity include improved body image, self-efficacy, self-concept, and self-worth
Benefits also include pro-school attitudes, friendships, and team building
Physical activity also positively impacts mental health, including reducing depression and anxiety, and improving mood
Physical activity can not only help with existing anxiety and depression, but also prevent them from starting. This has been found especially in adolescent populations!
Physical activity can reduce need for medication for ADHD, improve classroom behavior, improve focus, and fidget less.
2) Focus on Flexibility
Many different types of physical activity have been shown to have physical and mental health benefits. The most evidence is for aerobic physical activity, but there is evidence for the benefits a wide variety of types of movement. While there are some specific benefits to sports and organized activity, there are significant benefits to all kinds of movement. So don’t limit yourself or your family to a narrow definition of physical activity! If possible, allow your children and teens some choices in their physical activity, while helping them see that the options are vast.
3) Make it Fun
Physical activity doesn’t have to be a chore! In fact, we want to promote positive relationships with movement as much as possible, for ourselves and our children.
As much as we want to stay cozy, here are some ways to stay active and connect together as a family:
Bundle up and go on a run or walk together
Embrace the winter weather, and try activities like ice skating, sledding, skiing, and more
Play games that just happen to involve movement! Play tag, have a snowball fight, play basketball in the driveway!
Plan a weekend scavenger hunt
In Summary (TL;DR)
Considering powerful motivation for physical activity, being flexible with your definition of movement, and making it fun for you, your children, and your family can help ensure that you and your family start the new year in a healthy and positive way!
If you feel that your child, teen, or family could use some support in getting on a healthy path, please don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s easier than you think! Just click right here to get started with personalized, compassionate, and scientific support.
Sources:
https://www.childrenscolorado.org/just-ask-childrens/articles/healthy-holidays/