Family Fitness: How To Stay Active During The Holidays

It’s the festive season, so the thought of exercising falls to the bottom of the holiday-to-do list. However, you might be surprised to find out that taking some time to exercise can work to enhance your health during the holidays.

If you want to keep your family fit and happy this festive season, read on for more. 

6 Ways Families Can Exercise During the Holidays

1. Start the day with a stretch

A good stretch is a great way to activate and warm up your muscles, and it’s an amazing stress reliever. Stretching can also provide the energy boost needed to get through the holiday festivities. Before the family starts the day, why not spend 10 minutes every morning stretching out all your muscles, and find out who in the family is best at reaching the floor from a standing position?

2. Go for a walk

If there’s one physical activity that is simple, yet effective, then it’s walking. According to board-certified cardiologist Sidney Glasofer, MD, FACC, daily movement is much better for your overall health and a 30-minute moderate walk is an effective way to achieve this.

As it’s a low-impact exercise, it’s perfect for every member of the family, regardless of age and activity level. Now, while younger and older family members may not be keen on reaching 10,000 steps a day, research has found that 4000 steps are enough for a longevity boost.

3. Encourage holiday chores

Not only can household chores keep the brain healthy, but they also help keep the body active. Whether it’s mopping, sweeping, gardening, shoveling snow, or even putting up holiday decorations, chores are a great way to prevent sedentary living.

Granted, your kids may hate the idea of still having to do chores during the holidays. Yet, you can provide incentives like not being allowed to even step outside or be on their devices until all their chores are done.

4. Manage screen time

The children in the home (and some adults) may be looking forward to spending their holidays watching TV, playing video games, or scrolling through their gadgets, but if not managed, this can be extremely harmful.

Instead of letting your loved ones spend their days getting lost in a screen, why not encourage them to do something creative with their time? Maybe put up holiday decorations, help in the kitchen, or work on finishing up that puzzle or book they’ve been putting off?

5. Get outside

Getting some fresh air and sunshine can do wonders for the body, so don’t keep everyone cooped up in the house during the holidays.

Whether it’s playing in the snow, running around in the garden, or kicking a football around, it’s all a great way to break a sweat and have some fun with each other.

6. Have a dance party

The younger kids may think your moves are a little outdated, but busting a move is one of the best ways to get a fun workout in. Why not take out your phone and create a new dance challenge?

Want to know more?

In your quest to keep your loved ones active, why not get them ahead of those gym resolutions?

Whether they spend their days in the gym, or they’re looking to improve their exercise habits, we’ve compiled a list of the best gifts to help them break a sweat.

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