Why Every Child Needs To Pick Up A Sport

With electronic devices and the Internet standing front and center, children are spending less time playing sports. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that children aged 8 to 18 spend an average of 4.5 hours each day in front of a TV, smartphone, or computer screen. Consequently, more and more children are suffering from obesity and other lifestyle-related illnesses like high-blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, and elevated blood cholesterol.

As mothers, we are responsible for the health and well-being of our children. The food our children eat, activities they do, and company they keep are all within our control, especially during their younger years.

To make sure your children don’t grow up addicted to screen time, encourage them to pursue sports. Sign them up for little league, push them to tryout for the varsity team, enroll them in an athletic clinic, get them custom socks in their favorite colors. There are so many creative ways to incorporate sports in their everyday routines.

The benefits of sports go beyond the physical. Children who are into sports have higher self-esteem and are less likely to get depressed than their sedentary counterparts. Plus, they end up having better social lives and less health problems as they get older. Even if your kids don’t end up professional athletes, they can become better people through sports. And that’s all you can really ask for as a parent.

Here are a few reasons why every child needs to pick up a sport:

Breeds A Healthier Lifestyle

America is raising a generation of obese children, many of whom are at risk for cardiovascular disease and a plethora of lifestyle-related illnesses like hypertension, high-blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, and elevated blood cholesterol.

Today obesity has become the #1 health concern among American children, affecting over 17% of Americans aged 2 to 19. Never before have we seen so many children suffering from health problems as a result of their lifestyle choices.

Of all the solutions to childhood obesity, sports appears to provide the best results. A study by the Hood Center for Children and Families (at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth) showed that obesity would plunge by 26% if all children played at least two sports.

Keep your children healthy by encouraging them to pick up a sport. Convince them with new gear or a custom pair of socks from Strideline if you have to. Not a bad investment to ensure your children’s long-term health.

Reduces Stress

Studies by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) show that aerobic exercise can reduce overall levels of tension, improve sleep, and stabilize mood.

When your kids play sports, their bodies release endorphins (happy hormones) into their system, boosting their mood and overall disposition. A sport is a great confidence booster and a positive outlet for everyday stress. Rather than spending the day in front of the TV or computer, encourage them to get moving. While this might take a little getting used to, they’ll end up happier than before.

Few things are as good for the body and mind than sports. Encourage your kids to ditch their smartphones computer screens for some games outdoors.