In mid November of 2018 the CDC published its newest studies on the connection between physical exercise and health - both physical and mental. As has been proven in study after study, and again in this report (https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/index.html), exercise is a critical factor in maintaining our physical and mental health. And yet....how many of us take advantage of the easiest and most accessible of treatments for ourselves? How many of us expect our kids to?
The study focused mostly on how much physical exercise helps medical issues, and mentions the mental health advantages almost as a secondary point. Yet both are critical, to adults as well as children. It states that "all cause mortality" is reduced with exercise. Diabetes and insulin resistance. Heart disease. Hypertension. Bone health. Cognition. All are helped.
Regarding mental health, the study confirms what has been studied, reported and replicated in the past regarding mental health. Anxiety. Depression. Stress. Tens of millions of us suffer from things that can be attenuated with exercise. Sometimes significantly.
We increasingly hear of the alienation that our children have from their peers. Rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts have risen sharply, about 20% for 15-24 year olds since 2000, which roughly correlates to the explosion our use of devices. People doubled their screen time in the 10 years from 2005-2015 and kids are a huge part of that. The new report recommends that kids and adolescents from 6-17 get 1 hour of (mostly) aerobic activity daily. (Meaning getting and keeping the heart rate elevated.) The simplest way is by taking a brisk walk. Yes, it's as simple as walking, for kids and adults. (Can we even be so bold as to suggest that kids and parents walk together?)
I've seen many parents act powerless in the face of their children's use of technology and I don't understand it, particularly in light of what we've been learning about how alienating excessive use of these technologies can be. Parents: you are not victims of your child's devices. You paid for them for heaven's sake. It's OK to act like that. Act surprised when your child objects to your exercising your rights of ownership, not defensive.
The evidence continues to mount. Exercise helps both physically and mentally. Screen time? Well, it seems not so much. But feel free to sit on your couch and surf the net (while your kid's in their room getting to the next level of the newest release of the must have video game of the month) and wait for a study that says increased screen time helps you and your kids both mentally and physically. After all, it's your device. Enjoy it.
