Get Healthy 502 with Norton Healthcare
Magic 101.3 and Norton Healthcare are dedicated to supporting and educating our community on the importance of being proactive about their health!
For July, we are focusing on Summer Family Fitness!
Now that kids are out of school for summer, it’s important for families to stay active. This month, we’re challenging you to the Get Healthy 502 Challenge! One family will win a Louisville Zoo annual family membership and registration for four to the Norton Children’s Hospital Splash ‘n’ Dash even on August 7th.
To enter the giveaway:
Step 1: Follow @nortonhealth on Instagram or @nortonhealthcare on Facebook
Step 2: Post a photo of your family doing a healthy family activity together, using the hashtag #GetHealthy502
When it comes to exercising as a family, the benefits are almost boundless, both mentally and physically.
How much exercise should my family be getting?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following recommendations for exercise for children:
- For infants: physical movement several times a day through interactive floor-based play
- For kids age 3 to 5: three hours or more of physical activity every day
- For kids 6 to 17 years old: 60 minutes of physical activity daily
For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends around 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week, that’s about 30 minutes a day, and strength training for all major muscle groups at least twice a week.
How does exercise help?
As an adult, you may think back on time spent with team sports or with a coach or parent playing basketball in the backyard and remember it fondly. It’s important to recreate those memories for your family members. Exercising:
- Helps children concentrate, especially those with ADHD or special needs
- Helps with memory and processing speeds
- Helps initiate conversation between caregivers and children
- Creates great family bonds when exercising together
- Improves cardiovascular health
- Improves metabolism
- Lowers risk of diabetes
- Increases bone health
- Promotes balance
- Boosts the immune system
- Reduces depression, anxiety and substance abuse
- Builds confidence
- Resets mood
The great thing is that all of these benefits follow suit for young and aging adults. Modeling physical activity for your children by staying active yourself sets a great example. Children who grow up with active caregivers are more likely to stay active themselves.
On top of physical exercise make sure you and your children are getting the annual wellness exams you need to check up on your health. Schedule an appointment easily online for adults or children and be sure to speak with a provider before starting any new, exercise routine.
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