Recess may be a much needed break during the long school day, but it’s also an awesome time to take care of ourselves and our bodies. Staying active is an important way for us to grow and maintain our health. In this article, we’ll discuss why physical activity is important and some fun ways you can stay active! Some ways you have likely heard of, but others may be new!
Why is physical activity important?
Taking care of our bodies is super important, and when you’re climbing across the monkey bars or playing tag, you do just that. Regular physical activity can help us build strong bones and muscles. It can also support our mental health and emotional well-being. Being outside and getting active can boost our mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Staying active can also help us concentrate better in school and perform better on tests and assignments. Ever noticed yourself getting restless during the day? Physical activity can actually help us be more focused students! It is recommended that kids get at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day.
Participating in these activities can also teach us to be good team players, helping us learn important skills like teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem-solving.
Five fun ways to stay active:
Go to the pool
Swimming is super beneficial on many fronts. It’s a challenging activity that involves our full body, building our strength and endurance. Swimming also teaches us important water safety skills that are helpful throughout our lives. It’s also a great activity to do with friends and family!
Try yoga
Yoga uses different physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to improve our health. It involves a variety of stretches and poses. This can be a challenging one because we're often used to running around all the time! Yoga can teach us how to be more mindful while also improving our balance and flexibility. Interested in learning more about mindfulness? Check out our blog on Mindfulness Meditation! Resources on basic yoga exercises can easily be found with a quick online search.
Start a dance party
Enjoy busting a move? Get some tunes playing and move your body! Dancing is an awesome way to develop our coordination and motor skills, and it can be surprisingly tiring! Learning different dance moves takes focus and concentration. When you are starting out, feel free to do what feels most natural to you. If you find out you love dancing - maybe look into joining a dance team!
Help with the chores
This one might not be the most fun, but it can be a great way to stay active. Whether it’s helping to care for the lawn, setting the table, or putting away laundry, chores require a combination of movement and attention to detail. You could even try your hand at a home improvement project alongside your caregivers, whether that be planting a garden or painting a bedroom wall. And hey, nothing wrong with your caregivers being extra happy with you (maybe that means more playtime)!
Do a scavenger hunt
Ever done a scavenger hunt in class? These can be tons of fun as you try to identify and find various objects. They can be done indoor or outdoor and require us to be attentive to our surroundings while also moving around. There are plenty of online websites that have free scavenger hunt lists. Check out this nature scavenger hunt or you could even try making your own! Keep your eyes peeled for those clues!
Overall, no matter how you choose to move your body, you will be left feeling energized and ready to take on the day! Have fun getting active!
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