4 ways to wake up and move with your family in the morning
Wake up and GO!!
The hardest step out of bed in the morning is the first one. My children however, have yet to learn this concept and bound out of bed with endless energy. As both a Together Counts ambassador and a mom of boys, I have learned this energy is best when used for good, so the first thing we do in the morning is move our bodies!
Here are 4 of our favorite «wake up and get moving» ideas:
1. Go for a walk – I head out first thing in the morning with our newly adopted dog and go for a quick walk around the block. Studies have shown that walking decreases cortisol, the stress hormone, and I have found this is the perfect way for me to «center» my mind each morning.
2. Jumping Jacks – These are a family favorite and easy enough that everyone can do them. I play one of our favorite songs and we jack our way around the family room (watch out for flailing arms!).
3. Yoga – Roll out your mats and stretch. This is one of my personal favorites as it not only feels so good but I really enjoy watching my boys work their way into various poses. The deep breathing helps focus our minds and sets the tone for the morning.
4. Basketball game – We are lucky enough to have a hoop in our driveway so we play a few games of Pig and Knockout each morning before school. The CDC has reported that physical activity helps kids stay focused in school and may also contribute to better behavior. This definitely holds true for my kids – I think playing basketball (or any sport) before school helps get «the wiggles» out!
So the next time you are tempted to hit the snooze button, roll out of bed and get up and get moving instead!
Lisa Gulley is a mom of 4 active little boys who can be found blogging over on Workout Mommy, a health and fitness blog for busy moms. When she isn’t playing referee to her kids, Lisa can be found lifting weights or swinging kettlebells in her kitchen.