as canada responds to covid-19, families have had to drastically change their lifestyles in response to this novel virus. parents are trading in their long-awaited getaways for work from home protocols. they are
scrambling to provide child care options and prepare activities for their kids, who are now out of school for an unknown period of time. these are unprecedented times that will transcend this generation.
the streets have been eerily quiet as we are encouraged to help flatten the curve. businesses, workplaces, restaurants, and public facilities have all but closed, and school, sports leagues, and extracurricular activities have been put on pause. as a result, families are struggling to find a ‘new normal’ and maintain a daily routine.
in our increasingly fast-paced society, it can be difficult for families to find quality time to spend together, and now we are being asked to stay at home with one another. families have now been given an opportunity to slow down, reflect and spend quality time together.
according to the
canadian society for exercise physiology, canadian children should aim to attain 30-60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (mvpa) per day, and 150 minutes of mvpa per week for adults. however, 38 per cent of canadian children three to four years of age are insufficiently physically active, meaning they are not meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines. this percentage
seems to worsen as we age — 61 per cent of youth aged five to 17 years old, and 84 per cent of adults, are insufficiently active.
the benefits of physical activity are wide-ranging and well-studied. in children, physical activity is associated with better motor functioning and brain development. at later life stages, higher levels of physical activity have been connected to positive mental health, higher self-esteem, and lower risk for developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, bone and joint diseases, and depression. in short, physical activity can protect you against chronic disease and illnesses.
positive physical activity habits should be established early. research shows that family and home environments influence our children¹s approach to healthy lifestyles, and parents who model their enjoyment of physical activity has been shown to be a consistent predictor of their children’s physical activity level.
researchers have also reported that when parents/caregivers and children do physical activity together, this results in long-term changes for both generations. time spent together in physical activity not only boosts overall health, but allows families to disengage from other stressors and focus on one another. motivating each other as a family, and working together to stay healthy and active, may help us get through this surreal time in our lives.
so how do we get active in these strange times? physical activity does not necessarily mean joining the newest fad workout and sprinting on a treadmill. the classics still apply — going for a brisk walk, mowing your lawn, maybe gardening. just don’t forget to stay (safely) six feet away from others, and smile at your neighbour from afar.
outdoor play canada reminds us that time spent outdoors makes our immune systems more robust, can make us feel more connected to our community, and allows children to move more and sit less. alternatively, what about having a dance party in your living room? running up the stairs of your house? those who live in apartments or who don’t have backyards face a unique challenge: why not try an indoor
obstacle course, or yoga?
distancing, such as short, active breaks throughout the day, joining online fitness classes, and standing up or taking walks around your home. finally, get your kids involved — maybe they have a fun idea to get moving.
one positive that can be taken from the current situation maybe is that life should not be taken for granted. instead, let’s use this time to reassess our priorities and better understand what really matters to us. every day, canadians are being reminded that we are resilient. maybe we’ll look back on this period as a time that allowed us to reflect, recharge, and create a new normal. perhaps time spent being active will become a priority as opposed to a luxury. to quote participaction, everything gets better when you get active.
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opinion: isolation is an opportunity for families to get active