Families + fitness = fun in the summer

Families + fitness = fun in the summer

Long summer days are stretching ahead and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging families to get active together, combining fun and physical activity.

Being active is great for the body and mind, helps to control weight, protects against heart disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes, and promotes good mental health and wellbeing.

Colette Brolly, Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA said: “With the kids off school and the good weather, this is a great opportunity for children, parents and grandparents to get active together.

“There are lots of fun ways to be more active, whether it is through walking, cycling, swimming, dancing or playing.

“Taking part in regular physical activity has huge health benefits and can be great fun for all the family,” she added.

Adults should be aiming for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days (at least five days each week). To reap health benefits, activity should last ten minutes or more.

Being physically active is really important for kids, as it helps to build strong bones, muscles and a healthy heart and helps develop social skills and encourages a sense of wellbeing

Children over the age of five need to take part in moderate to vigorous intensity activities for at least 60 minutes and up to several hours every day. This can be broken up into small chunks of at least 10 minutes throughout the day.

Colette Brolly continued: “Parents can set a good example to children by being physically active themselves. If children are involved in sport and physical activity early in life, it increases the likelihood of them staying physically active for the rest of their lives.

“Begin with ‘small steps’ and increase the level of physical activity slowly.

“Enjoy yourself with your family while being active and the health benefits will soon be apparent.”

Increasing levels of physical activity is a positive first step.

Benefits include:

• having more energy;

• sleeping well;

• being able to cope better with stress and anxiety;

• feeling good about yourself.

During this particularly warm spell it is important to look after yourself in the sun. For further information on how you can have safe fun in the sun click on www.careinthesun.org

For information on small steps you can take to be more active, visit the PHA’s website www.choosetolivebetter.com