There are many ways to stay fit as a family while having fun doing it. Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC) encourages families to get active and pursue their health goals as a team. Here are five activities to get your family started.
1. Visit a local park
Parks usually have walking or biking trails so you can get exercise while appreciating the local scenery. For younger children, there are typically playgrounds too. Visiting a park doesn’t only have benefits for your physical health, but your mental health as well.
Spending time outdoors can improve your mental health. It can help reduce stress, improve attention and enhance mood after spending time in green spaces like parks or forests.
2. Plant a garden
Planting a garden is a fantastic way to get young children excited about eating vegetables, and it’s a unique way to get exercise. Tomatoes, melons, corn and okra are all good options to plant in the summertime.
3. Cook dinner together
Pick out a new recipe or choose a household favorite, and cook together as a family. Be sure to set aside tasks for little ones, like stirring a bowl or setting the table. Cooking together helps children learn cooking skills and develop healthy habits. OKCIC offers cooking classes for kids every season through the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) department called Kids in the Kitchen.
If you need dinner inspiration, you can find a list of recipes by visiting this link. All recipes are low in sodium and added sugars, so you can be sure you’re making a healthy choice.
4. Sign up for an exercise class
OKCIC has a variety of group exercise classes available for patients ages 12 and older that will get the whole family moving. If exercise classes aren’t your speed, seasonal programming is available to keep kids and adults active year-round. See what’s available by scanning this QR code.
Staying healthy doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. Follow these tips to start your family on a path toward better health.