Increasing popularity of television, computer, and video games contribute to our inactive lifestyles. The average child spends 24 hours a week watching television,playing video games and chatting. Rather this time could be spent in some recreational or physical activity. We need to be a role model for our children and younger siblings. If children see us active, they are more likely to be active and stay active for the rest of their lives.
For young growing minds and bodies, a healthy diet and an active lifestyle bring great results. Too many children these days come home and watch television instead of going to the community pool or playing a pick-up game of basketball or football.
More and more, we see children who are bored, because they haven’t been raised with a sports-minded attitude. Even if a child’s parent is not athletically inclined, they still need to help set recreational goals for their children. Children need something better of their own.
Sports and other recreational activities diminish unhealthy habits and patterns that may lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint pain and discomfort, heart disease, strokes and other serious causes. There is proof that students achieve more academically, when physically fit. But we can’t rely on the school/college programs to meet the physical needs . All families need to plan activities to be physically fit together, such as walking and talking and other outdoor activities throughout the day. This also helps building team spirit amongst todays generation.
It is not difficult to see why so many kids are on the path to being overweight. The culture of over eating, poor food quality and sedentary life styles is pervasive. Run in the park with the dog, bike ride as a family on the weekend, jogging with your favourite music plugged in not only refresh us but boost our morale and energy. This is a great way to spend time together, while being physically active and having a healty mind.
We should find activities that work for us and our family and implement sports and recreation together. Engaging in outside sports is a great opportunity for us to exercise and interact socially. Action sports such as cycling, skatting are popular, these kinds of activities are a great way to allow children to do what they want without any coaches or peer pressure.
It involves doing what we love while spending time with our friends, and staying healthy and active without realizing it. Participating in sports not only keeps us healthier and happier, but also teaches us the importance of goal setting, motivation, dedication and teamwork.
Truly sports are an integral part of what we need to learn. It will make a world of difference in adulthood and continue this pattern from generation to generation. When a child grows, bones grow faster than muscles and tenders. It is important for young people to believe they can accomplish and achieve whatever they desire, while feeling confident in their own interest and ability.
This is in itself will lead to high self- esteem, a sense of belonging, and encouraging a healthier lifestyle. What better way to stay healthy while having fun and doing what you love to do? A healthy and happy person will be bowling a strike, or scoring the winning goal, and even if we don’t, the satisfaction of a job well done, and friends and memories that will last us a lifetime. In the end i would just like to say that a healthy and physically fit life is the road to a long and successful stress free life and its never too late to start something fresh.
Picture Credits: Kunal Raj