Many of us are undoubtedly struggling to continue to stay active during this pandemic, and possibly finding it even more difficult to help our own children and pets stay active too. Rest, sleep, and mindfulness are vital elements of coping with the stress associated with COVID-19. Sedentary pursuits like watching TV, playing video games or reading a good book can be used frequently in our attempts to protect our own mental health during this time of isolation. It’s important to remember that physical exercise is just as vital to our own mental health and therefore, should be made a priority for ourselves and those close to us.
Prior to the pandemic, exercise was viewed as an add on to the beginning or end of the work day, often times done as a solitary activity. Now with gyms, work places, and schools closed many parents are left busy juggling many other responsibilities including potentially working from home, homeschooling their children, all while still managing a busy household. How do they cut out 30-60 minutes everyday to exercise on top of that? Most of us have probably thrown up our flags in surrender to the other demands on our time and greatly reduced or given up on our exercise routine all together. So many of us get in this mindset, particularly when it comes to exercise, that it has to fit into a certain box in order to be deemed physical activity or it just isn’t worth doing at all. This is a perfect opportunity for us to learn how to adapt and get creative with physical movement and exercise. An opportunity to find ways to implement physical movement into our time spent with family, friends, and our pets.
Physical activity should be viewed as a fun family experience when everyone plays, moves and laughs together instead of viewed as separate activities. Since the quarantine started, I found it difficult to make the time to exercise the way I was used to. Instead of getting frustrated, I realized that it is more about the cumulative activity over the day (even in small quantities) and the time spent sharing something with those close to me. I started doing yoga videos with my husband (he needed a little push in the flexibility department), taking my puppy and playing chase with him at the tennis courts, going on nature walks with my son and teaching him how to catch a ball, kick a soccer ball, and swing a bat. I started setting up family obstacle courses, track meets and playing freeze tag. And you know what, the most amazing gift came out of all of that. My husband enjoys yoga more and it gave us something to do together to wind down after a stressful day. My puppy has stopped chewing us and the couch as much and I get some morning sprint sessions in. My son loves going on nature walks now, and he has developed quite a mean line drive.
Is there a sport or physical skill you have been wanting to get better at? Is there an activity you wish your family would all do together? Now is the time to start experimenting and delving into your curiosity and sparking an interest in your family and friends too. Let’s start thinking outside the box on what is considered exercise and just celebrate life with creative movement in whatever form that presents itself. Wouldn’t that be a fantastic lesson learned and carried forward once this pandemic is a thing of the past?
Here are some ideas to get those creative juices flowing:
Family relay race, obstacle course, or track meet.
Pick up game of soccer, football, basketball, or whiffle ball.
Old school recess games: wall ball, tag, hop scotch, jump rope, kickball
Family yoga or exercise video
Hiking outdoors or going on a scavenger hunt.
Going for a swim at the beach or building an elaborate sand castle.
Play a game of chase with your kids or pets.
Do that yard work you have been putting off or clean out your garage.
Play simon says or follow the leader and involve some challenging movements like push-ups, squats, or burpees. On a side note, my son executed a flawless burpee the other day, it made me so proud.
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