Is the Couch Impacting Our Children's Mental Health?
Did You Know?
High levels of sedentary behaviors in kids (like sitting on the couch or being on an iPad/cell phone for long amounts of time) are associated with mental health problems in kids and teenagers.
Many, many studies provide support for the benefits of physical exercise in children and adolescents on executive function, brain activity, and depressive symptoms. Kids and adults who exercise are better able to engage in decision making processes which greatly increases their ability to manage stressful and emotional situations.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, children and adolescents should be physically active nearly every day for at least 60 minutes. For a majority of youth, it is unlikely that they will reach this goal each day. Because of this, it is important that physical activity is promoted in school settings along with after school activities. Parents can encourage their children to be active by doing physical activities together like going on walks or visiting a local park. By doing this, the whole family is being active and working towards a healthier lifestyle.
Why Exercise?
By exercising you make your muscles and bones strong while decreasing your chance of being overweight
Physically active children and adults are less depressed
Exercising releases endorphins, happy chemicals that trigger positive and happy feelings
Exercising can decrease your risk of developing health complications in the future and can even help with existing health complications
Daily exercise improves your sleep! If you feel tired and lethargic all the time, try pushing yourself to go for a 15 minute walk and enjoy feeling re-energized!
Exercising can help you focus!
Children with and without ADHD show improvements and in reading comprehension and math after exercising
Aerobic exercise may be a valuable addition to treatment for children with ADHD
But How?
Take a walk as a family before or after dinner for at least 15 minutes instead of watching TV
Take the stairs
If you are watching TV make a goal to get up and move during each commercial break
Go to a playground, basketball court, or soccer field
DANCE to your favorite songs
Go swimming
Play kickball, basketball, soccer, etc.
Go for a run, play chase or tag
Carry in the groceries as a family
At Excel Youth, we provide TONS of FUN activities that incorporate physical activity to help our kids EXCEL at school, home and in the community!
What are some other ways we could incorporate exercise into our daily lives?
Let us know on Instagram @excel.youth !