Getting
your teen to exercise – even a little bit – can dramatically improve their
overall sense of wellbeing. Unfortunately, with the Winter of Covid upon us,
helping to make that happen is even more of a challenge than it was in, say,
midsummer. But, according to the good folks at evolvetreatment.com, this
challenge is not as insurmountable as you might think. In fact, the smartphone,
on which your teen spends more time than ever, can actually be your accomplice
in getting your child to move. Below are some helpful tips.
If you’d
told teens in 2019 or early 2020 what the bulk of 2020 would look like, they
would probably have thought it sounded great. No structure? No needing to physically
go to school? More time to text and Netflix? Awesome. Yet, lack of routine, combined with decreased
outdoor-recreation opportunity, alongside dramatically reduced physical contact,
is no fun at all. The stories I hear from my friends with teens in
Covid-induced isolation are strikingly similar. Even if the teens “attend”
school remotely, there’s more texting into the wee hours, even more time spent
online, sleep disruptions (too much, too little) and a general malaise sinking
in. Except for the ones who still habitually exercise, whether outdoors or with
apps.
READ MORE: How mindfulness can help your stressed teen
The folks
at evolvetreatment have covered the stress-reducing benefits of exercise, and now
point us to apps to help make that happen.
“These
apps offer programs tailored to every fitness level, from beginner to competitive
athlete,” they point out. “Your adolescent may be the type that needs
reminders, structured goals, and calendars to stay on task. Or, they may prefer
a simple app that tracks miles or times their workouts. Whatever the case,
there’s an app for that.”
The Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout
MyFitnessPal
Shred
CharityMiles
Runtastic
They also
tout the benefits of bodyweight workouts, and the old standby, walking. The
walking tip reminds me of a family I have seen walking by my house for over a
decade. I’ve watched those kids grow up, walking down my street. Yes, even in
the pandemic.