A friend recently asked what I do to help Zoe calm down on those days she’s having a meltdown. We’ve all had those days: too much stimulation, not enough sleep, schedules that are out-of-whack. Whatever the reason, some days our kids may have a tough time of it. For Zoe, that means lots of extra stimming and the feeling that she just can’t sit still. So what do we do?
We get moving. We’re lucky to live in Florida, where the climate makes it easier for us to enjoy the outdoors more often. Cold weather climates make this more of a challenge, but don’t let that stop you—consider walking indoors, like at the mall. There are lots of benefits to physical activity. Things like better sleep, improved heart health, the release of endorphins are but a few of the benefits. Parents and kids alike can benefit from getting regular exercise. After a long evening walk or a bike ride, my kids are worn out and ready for baths and bedtime.
So enjoy what remains of the warmer summer weather and take the kids outside for a bit. They’ll love spending time in the fresh air, and so will you.
What kinds of exercise or physical activity do your kids enjoy?