Did you know that studies have shown that children who get daily physical activity perform better in school, have better attendance rates, have a more positive attitude about school, are less disruptive in school and have a higher self-esteem? A recent article published in the newspaper stated that children that were physically active for 20 to 40 minutes a day improved their math and organizational skills when compared to a control group that did not participate in physical activity.
In addition, the American College of Sports Medicine has announced an initiative called “Exercise is Medicine” to support physicians of all specialties in advising every patient at every visit about the importance of regular exercise.
The question is how do we all get the exercise that we need with the upcoming winter months ahead? It is time for us to get creative. Take the family for a walk every night after dinner to look at the holiday lights. Go sledding, snowshoeing or cross country skiing in the mountains or local parks. Build a snowman or snow fort or shovel your walks or a neighbor’s walk as a family. Walk or bike to school or to run errands. The most important thing is to remember that there is no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing. Dress in layers because as you start moving you will realize that it is not as cold as you think. Please send your children to school everyday with the appropriate clothing so they can enjoy recess when the weather turns cold.
