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All over Northwest Ohio, the billboards have cropped up. A wide range of celebrities urge children to actively play an hour a day. Have you commented to your friends about how children these days have to be told to play? Silly!
Remember the days when you just did it? But hold on, since when do children have exclusive rights to playtime? Is this a little like the pot calling the kettle black? Well if you are thinking that you are certainly an expert at playing, then stand and be counted. And I do mean stand. Research on sitting and the relation to lifestyle diseases is very convincing. Reminding our bodies how to play may be a little more difficult though. As we age, we need to know how, when and for how long.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) are both great sources of reliable information on exercise for people of all ages. Now they will not tell you how to “play”, but they will tell you what counts. The NIH states “exercise is a form of physical activity that is planned, structured and repetitive such as weight training, tai chi or an aerobics class. Physical activities are activities that get your body moving such as gardening, walking the dog and taking the stairs instead of the elevator.” Sounds easy, and you will be an expert again in no time.
Safety is always first. Consult with your physician and pay close attention to your environment. Any hazards should be addressed immediately. Next, secure the advice of experts. Community recreational facilities and certified trainers are readily available and often free or at a minimal fee. An expert, who can help you create an effective personal plan, is worth the cost. Finally, once you create your plan – Stick to It! Northwest Ohio has an abundance of outdoor activities that are safe and engaging.
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| Marie Vasquez-Brooks |
But old man winter is around the corner – officially, anyway – and this is when your plan really has to be solid. Create workout “stations” at home. Simple squats at the sink while rinsing dishes. Toe rises at the washing machine. Seated stretches before eating breakfast. An abundance of opportunities await.
Get together with a group of friends and brainstorm ideas with each other. You can even call it a meeting to throw any individuals of a younger age off track. Media sources like public television, cable, the Internet and even your local library offer videos and programming that will help. A fun YouTube video can get you up and dancing!
All great tips, but when do we get to play? Don’t become depressed. Your brain has it all figured out already. Sadness and depression are related to low levels of certain brain chemicals. That bad mood may truly be all in your head. No matter, grumpy children are intuitively sent outside to play by smart parents everywhere. When you are active, your body produces endorphins along with a host of other neurotransmitters that are responsible for keeping your brain healthy and happy. That is the key. If we define play as “exercise or activity for amusement or recreation” then before you know it, you will be safely playing every day. Just make sure to tell the “young whippersnappers” that you are only exercising!
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