While we all know the many physical benefits of exercise for children, one thing we don’t always focus on enough is the positive effect exercise has on our children’s mental health and well-being.
As parents, the more you understand about the benefits, the more motivation you will have to implement change into your children’s lives to encourage them to be more active.
- Exercise gives us a burst of happy hormones! A release of endorphins into our children’s systems boosts their moods immediately. They have energy to burn and it is up to you as parents to provide them with the opportunity to be active
- An active day leads to a restful night! The more energy a child burns throughout the day, the more relaxed and clear they feel getting into bed and a good night’s sleep leads to a more energy the next day!
- When we add feeling more energetic and sleeping well together, we are lead to an increase in self-confidence and self-esteem. It has a knock on effect that positively impacts our kids in many ways. Self-confidence is something we focus on massively here at RINKA because the more confident a child feels in fundamental movement skills and in the way their way feels and moves, the more likely they are to engage in fitness as they grow and the better they feel about themselves. This also has an impact on their social development.
- Children need to understand that exercise is there for them at all stages of life, in many different forms. We need to teach them that it is about feeling the best, not being the best. Making it a normal, everyday part of their daily lives will give them the tools they need to create healthy, active habits that they can take with them into adulthood.
Fitness is a daily activity. A once-a-week approach isn’t going to cut it. Add in simple daily routines – starjumps before breakfast, animal walks at lunch time, skipathons in the evening! Have fun with it, make it a bonding session and always focus on the feel good factor after.
Fitness and Mental Health For Kids