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Be an active family during the holidays
The holiday season can be a busy and stressful time for families. Along with those hectic schedules, the cold winter weather can make it challenging for squeezing in some physical activity each day.
However, being active as a family can benefit everyone. Adults need at least two-and-a-half hours of physical activity a week, and children need 60 minutes a day. Follow these tips to add more activity during the winter months:
• Schedule some time for physical activity. Determine time slots throughout the week when most family members available. Devote a few of these times to doing something active. If you put it on your calendar and treat it like an appointment, you will be much more likely to follow through with it. Anything that gets your heart beating faster and activities that make your muscles work harder than usual counts as physical activity. If you are short on time, start with just five minutes. Set a reachable goal and work up toward the recommended amount. Just remember to move more and sit less during the day.
• Turn off the screens. Instead of watching TV or playing video games, create an indoor obstacle course, make a scavenger hunt or play charades. Being active as a family not only creates special memories but helps to relieve holiday stress.
• Bundle up for outdoor play. Create a snowman or “snow family.” Climb a snow mountain or make paths through the snow. No snow? Walk around your neighborhood to view lighting displays rather than taking the car.
• Don’t ditch the housework. We all have experienced the tiring effects of doing chores. But those chores are a great way to add physical activity and have a clean house – ready for holiday guests. Kids can help vacuum, dust, sweep the floor and even clean the windows.
• Treat the family with fun physical activity. Enjoyable experiences such as an afternoon of ice skating or an evening of bowling make great gifts. A membership to the YMCA or recreational club can give your family fun opportunities for physical activity all throughout the year. Don’t forget to have fun on your local sledding hill as well.
• Incorporate easy activities to get moving during the holidays. Simple tips like parking at the far end of the parking lot, using the stairs instead of escalators, and dancing to your favorite holiday music can make a huge difference.
(Source: Nebraska Extension)
Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local Extension office at 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Evening and lunch appointments are available upon request.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 9 – Bi-State Crops Conference, Beef House, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., $40 plus credit fee, register at https://bit.ly/BiStateCrops2021
Dec. 15 - Winter PARP, Off the Rails Event Center (Roachdale), 9-11 a.m., no charge, register at https://tinyurl.com/PutnamPARP2021
Dec. 15 - ServSafe Food Manager one-day class and online exam, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., register at:www.purdue.edu/servsafe/workshops
Dec. 22-31 – Extension office closed for winter holidays