Far too often, our society makes assumptions about people’s health based on their weight. If we see someone who’s thin, we assume that they’re healthy and fit. We assume a thin person doesn’t have as much of a need to exercise and eat healthy as someone who’s overweight.
This is often why families don’t work out together: the parents think their kids don’t need more exercise because they’re thin. The reality is that exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle for everyone and anyone, no matter their weight or age. Having your kids tag along for a family workout session can bring several health benefits to each one of you.
Improved Mental and Emotional Health
When you exercise, your body releases natural chemicals that elevate your mood. People who work out regularly have a lower risk for mental health struggles like anxiety and depression, and they have a more positive and stable day-to-day mood overall.
It’s even better if your entire family is working out together. By spending that time as a family, you’re building closer and more positive relationships, which also contributes to better mental and emotional health for you and your kids.
Lower Risk for Serious Health Conditions
For most adults who exercise, part of their motivation is to lower their risk for serious health problems like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Adults might be at a higher risk for these issues, but they can affect kids too. Kids who don’t exercise and manage their weight in childhood are also more likely to develop these conditions when they become adults.
A Better Balance Between Energy and Sleep
Our bodies weren’t designed to be sitting at desks and on couches all day. We’re meant to spend our days moving around and our nights sleeping.
When you exercise, it helps to balance your hormones and maintain your natural sleeping and waking schedule. The result: you fall asleep more easily and sleep better at night.
You also have more energy during your waking hours because exercise improves your circulation, which carries oxygen throughout your body. Plus, your improved sleep gives you more energy while you’re awake, and this goes for kids and adults alike.
Enhanced Concentration and Productivity
Every member of your family has to put their brain to work each day. That might involve working, learning at school, or managing the family. Whatever your taxing mental tasks might be, you’ll be able to do them better if you exercise more.
Research shows that working out regularly leads to better concentration, reasoning, memory, and overall mental performance. That boost in brain health makes all your daily functioning easier, and what parent doesn’t love seeing the proud grin on their child’s face when they bring home good grades?
Giving the Whole Family the Benefit of Better Health
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether your entire family is overweight or thin, or whether you have a family history of weight problems. Everyone benefits from regular exercise, especially when you’re using it as an opportunity for the whole family to bond and enjoy a fun activity.
To find new ways to work out as a family, learn more about Glamour Girl Fitness. Or, focus on your own health with weight management coaching.
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