The best time to start building healthy habits is right now! Let’s take a look at how a founder of one of our favorite products is helping role models everywhere teach their kids about healthy habits.
When it comes to our health, few things are as impactful as physical activity.
At my company, FluidStance, our mission is to keep the world moving, and we’re always looking for ways to add more activity to our daily lives. Regular exercise is crucial for both physical and mental well-being. Studies have shown that staying active not only boosts overall health but can also enhance kids’ brainpower and academic performance.
So, why aren’t our kids getting enough exercise?
It’s estimated that kids today spend 85-90% of their waking hours sitting—whether it’s at school, doing homework, traveling to and from school, or in front of screens. This sedentary lifestyle negatively impacts both their bodies and minds. Juliet Starrett, a parent and co-founder of San Francisco Crossfit, is one of many advocates pushing for standing desks and active learning setups in schools. Active learning is beneficial, but there are several things we can do at home to encourage healthy habits, too.
As our children grow older, loosening TV time rules can be tempting, especially during long breaks like summer or holidays. One way to prevent a sedentary lifestyle is by setting movement goals for every 15 minutes of TV time—such as doing 5 push-ups or 15 jumping jacks. Leading by example and participating yourself can help make this a lasting habit.
If you’re close enough to the school, park, or community center, consider making carpooling more active. Get together with other parents and turn the commute into a walk or bike ride. This social aspect can make it fun rather than a chore for kids. Plus, you can work towards your step goal by joining in whenever possible.
For kids who are less eager to be active, camps or after-school programs offer a great alternative. Summer is an ideal time to try new activities since usual routines are already disrupted. Your kids might discover a new hobby or passion while making friends with other active kids.
While handing your phone or tablet to your kids is an easy way to keep them entertained, long screen time means long periods of inactivity. To counter this, use tools like a yoga ball or FluidStance Level to introduce subtle movement while they play video games, making screen time a bit more active.
If your kids have been asking for a dog, this is a perfect opportunity to incorporate more activity into their daily routine. Give them the responsibility of making sure the dog gets at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Better yet, make it a family activity, so everyone benefits from the extra movement. You might even have some great conversations along the way.
When our kids see us prioritizing physical activity and health, they learn to do the same. Taking nightly walks after dinner, joining adult sports leagues, or trying new physical activities like rock climbing or surfing are excellent ways to show them that healthy habits are important.
Swimming is another fun and healthy activity that doesn’t feel like exercise. You can either take your kids to a certified swim instructor or teach them yourself at home with swim lessons.