Over the last two decades, kids have been spending more time indoors. Instead of doing chores in the morning such as collecting eggs or feeding goats in the morning, kids typically engage in activities that are indoors, such as playing video games or watching television. This trend has resulted in an increasingly sedentary lifestyle which has reduced opportunities for physical exercise and connecting with the natural world.
They also have seen an increase in the number of behavioral disorders and mental health problems. While there are many reasons, the decline in physical activity is often listed as one of the main ones. The positive side is that more psychologists, teachers, and parents are beginning to realize the importance of physical activity for the mental health of kids. Here are a few:
It Promotes the Expression of Emotions
A lot of kids feel anxious and overwhelmed when attempting to express their feelings. They might have been through traumatizing events or be irritated with a family member. They might be overjoyed or excited but aren’t certain how to express these feelings. The issue could be due to the situation an individual, or even the child’s personality. The inability to express emotions may cause kids to become withdrawn or behave out.
Physical play helps kids process their emotions and share their feelings with family or friends. It’s possible that you’re pushing your child to swings on the swings on their playground and they’ll be open to your attention. A group of kids playing hide-and-seek or soccer could offer a safe environment for another child to talk about their thoughts. kids might begin to imitate their experiences or play imaginatively to express their emotions.
It Improves Social Skills
One of the biggest advantages of physical activity is the way it gets kids involved in social activities. The majority of play is group play. It is common for at the very least one additional person, but typically more for games, or even play pretend. Without physical interaction, the majority of kids wouldn’t be selected because a group needed another game. A lot of kids are left alone in a lonely place, waiting for their friends to join them but they may not have enough to make them feel connected.
A game of hide-and-seek jump rope or even capture the flag requires a group of kids to play together as they share and rotate. In these games that require physical contact kids learn how to communicate, behave, and perhaps, most importantly, not to be. Kids must be able to recognize the social signals of their peers. As they grow older, they can follow the same pattern in avoiding major conflicts and figuring out how to handle conflicts.
It Reduces Stress
You’re probably aware that exercise of every kind can be a stress alleviation for almost all. A recent study found that 75 percent of parents interviewed had experienced an increase in at minimum one negative emotion among their kids, such as stress, anxiety, or depression. Many had experienced several. If not addressed, could result in feelings of despair anger, despair, or even suicide. But what do you do?
It might sound absurd but physical activity can indeed help in helping to reduce stress and even address depression and anxiety in kids as it can for adults. Getting your kids out on the field every day to chase balls will help reduce the anxiety-related feelings. Physical activity boosts endorphin levels in the brain, just as can playing. Playing in different ways can help kids manage their moods, ease out their stress, and also get those essential happy chemicals going.
It Develops It
In the same way, kids do not always get along when playing. It is not uncommon for kids to get into conflict, and they may find themselves in difficult situations. However, these types of stressors are beneficial for kids (and adults as well). Although chronic stress can adversely affect your health, short flashes of stress build resilience. Resilient kids become adults who are better able to manage challenging scenarios to “land on their feet.”
Adults need to be careful not to take action too quickly when they witness kids getting into trouble. The more powerful, stronger kids are more likely to play nice with kids of smaller sizes because they fear having no kids with who they can play. kids who are weaker and younger have the chance to discover ways to compromise and negotiate to stay involved with the team they’re in. On both sides, kids tend to emerge stronger and better prepared to face real conflicts later in their lives.
It Inspires Innovation
Not the least, but certainly not the last is imagination. A lot of kids today are trapped in their classrooms, or watching screens. Their creativity is bound to be in decline. If they don’t have imagination, kids are unable to think outside their own box to come up with new ideas or even keep themselves entertained. These kids tend to become adults struggling to find solutions or the passion they seek within their own lives.
Physical games help kids think about things in a new way. When they are with others during fun games such as Simon Says the scavenger hunt, or even an obstacle course, kids can make characters, participate in role-play and come up with solutions to problems they imagine. They’ll typically receive feedback from peers, which aids in developing their creativity. The ability to imagine doesn’t have to be something you be lost, but it could be a skill to develop.
In the final analysis, aside from being educated, you would like your kids to be exhausted and dirty due to physical activity. It’s great for their spirits and bodies as well as their mental well-being. Allow your kids to enjoy and nowadays an opportunity to enjoy active time to play without structure that demands the movement of their body. They’ll most likely become the kind of adult who will appreciate your generosity.
