Mommy October 15, 2018

Why it’s so important for your child to play outdoors every day

The adage ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ holds truer than ever before. Children today have very limited physical exertion to look forward to, unlike earlier generations. This can adversely impact their health and metabolism.

Considering our subcontinent leads in diabetes-related illness and heart diseases, it is vital for children to get proper exercise and be fit – before they grow up and it becomes more difficult to manage these (avoidable) diseases.

With that in mind, here are some reasons why you should allow your child to play outdoors every day:

1. 1. Obesity: Obesity among children is on a global rise. This disturbing trend has been observed far more frequently in the present generation. It can lead, initially, to joint troubles and a lethargic metabolism. Obese children also have a higher chance of contracting heart diseases. Any game that involves a bit of running around is a sure-shot way to keep obesity at bay and burn unhealthy calories.

1. 1. Metabolism: Junk food and sugary drinks provide the body with more calories than it will ever need. This results in a low metabolic rate which is not good for the body. People with low metabolism have difficulty concentrating, are more lethargic, and have reduced coordination. These issues last for a lifetime and once the metabolic rate goes down, it is very difficult to get it up again, except when a person engages in regular strenuous activities like outdoor games.

1. 1. Teamwork: Your child will learn invaluable lessons while playing a team game with their peers. Outdoor team sports teach children the value of teamwork and camaraderie. They also serve as practical examples of what good leadership and joint initiatives can accomplish. Not only is this great for your children’s health, it will also help them gain emotional maturity; something that will prove very useful in the long run.

1. 1. Personality: Nowadays, it is easy to become a recluse who works alone on a PC, plays console games etc. with limited participation or integration with the (real) world. This won’t be the case with children who participate in outdoor sports and activities with others. It helps to make a person more outgoing and gives them a healthier outlook towards bonding with different people. Leadership skills are also developed along with the ability to cope (and more importantly learn) from losses; a skill that will be essential to a person when they grow older.

1. 1. Less mischief: A tired child will be less inclined to engage in naughty activities. Besides, engaging in activities will help create a responsible individual who is also more inclined to be law-abiding and sociable.
2.  Of course, the outdoors also has its drawbacks. For example, there’s the potential for mosquito bites that can cause dangerous diseases such asmalaria, dengue, or chikungunya. Adequate protection for your children is strongly advised with a product like Goodknight Fabric Roll-On. Just four drops on your child’s clothing will keep them mosquito-free for the duration of their activity. It’s a perfectly safe solution that allows them to play outdoors.

So keep these things in mind and encourage your child to take part in outdoor activities, as much as they can, for their healthy development.