You know being active is important for you and your kids, but how can you squeeze it into your schedule and make it fun?

In this week’s Healthy Tip Tuesday, Trinity Hospital Twin City is reminding the public of how important staying active is to your overall health. Jennifer Demuth, Marketing and Grant Coordinator and Nationally Certified Group Fitness Instructor and licensed Zumba instructor for both children and adults, explained that being active provides a number of health benefits to both kid and adults of all ages.

“The benefits are not just for our physical health, but they also help our mental health, emotional health, and even our spiritual health,” she explained. Studies have shown that being active also increases a person’s mental sharpness and kids and adults who are active have proven to perform better both on the job and at school.

Additionally, being active helps a person have more energy, get better sleep, feel stronger, have better endurance, and can even make families less susceptible to illness. “Also, if you would get sick, those who are regularly active generally recover faster than those who are not,” added Demuth. She also indicated it is important to note that physical activity is becoming increasingly more important for our youth with a rise in the number of children developing Type II Diabetes.

She encouraged parents and guardians to set the example. Kids see that it’s important to you, so it becomes important to them. “Often times we find that when the family places a priority on being active that value translates to the kids and then they become active adults,” said Demuth. “It’s a great trend to set when they are young so that as they grow they will continue to live that lifestyle.”

But, what about the busy families? Demuth noted that activity can happen in short bursts. “So many times, we think we have to dedicate a whole hour or two to activity when really you can mix it up and have short bursts of activity several times throughout your day.”

“Make being active, sort of a game,” she explained. Consider the following ideas to have fun while keeping your family active.

• Take a family walk or hike through one of the many parks and recreation areas throughout Tuscarawas County.
• Relay races in your backyard.
• Host a scavenger hunt at home.
• Have a family dance party.
• Challenge family members to active tasks and contests.
• Go on a family adventure
• Choose gifts that inspire physical activity. Tennis shoes, jump ropes, a basketball etc.
• Consider seasonal activities: playing in a sprinkler, going sled riding etc.
• Community service. Encourage your kids to be active and give back by raking neighborhood yards or helping wash their car.
• Plan an active getaway. Swim at the beach or tour a new city.

Demuth noted that it is important to always check with your doctor before starting a new exercises routine and explained your child’s routine well checks are a great opportunity to do so.

And one of the most important tips from Demuth, have fun and laugh! “Because laughter burns about 300 calories an hour.”

Healthy Tip Tuesday is a Newsymom.com exclusive informational series brought to you by Trinity Hospital Twin City.