At this point, the joy (and stress) of back-to-school season is subsiding. As a family, you are finally starting to get your schedules under control and becoming accustomed to the routine.
While we can understand the importance of the responsibilities that school and work bring, it is essential to use the free time from weekends to spend time together as a family.
At the end of the day, the health of our families is our top priority, so weekends are the perfect opportunity to spend fun, quality time together while keeping your health in mind.
Plant a Garden
Nature is one of the most beautiful gifts the world has to offer us. With fragrant flowers and trees with leaves that change colors every season, it is no wonder spending time outside makes us feel at ease.
Gardening is a great weekend activity to help keep the family healthy. According to a meta-analysis, there is a “positive association with gardening” for a “wide range of health outcomes, such as reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms, stress, mood disturbance, and BMI, as well as increases in quality of life, sense of community, physical activity levels, and cognitive function.”
It’s no wonder many people take up gardening as a hobby. You can buy your kids their own tools and have them dig up dirt, plant seeds, and water plants.
Another benefit is that you can even start growing your own food. Can you imagine wanting to have some eggs for breakfast and simply going outside and picking some tomatoes from your garden to add that extra kick of flavor?
Plan Bike Riding Activities
If you’re like me, that lives in a large city that prioritizes skyscrapers and building a plethora of condominiums, it can be hard to think outside of the box when it comes to weekend activities.
You may often end up participating in indoor activities such as bowling, movies, and shopping. While nothing is wrong with this, you should also spend some time outdoors with your family.
Cycling is beneficial for the health of the entire family. According to the Better Health Channel in Australia, “riding a bike is healthy, fun, and a low-impact form of exercise for all ages.” Benefits include, but are not limited to, “reduced anxiety and depression,” “increased stamina,” and “increased muscle strength and flexibility.”
Therefore, make it a habit to go biking every weekend. It can become a family tradition to discover new trails and explore areas you have never seen before.
Don’t know how to ride a bike? Even better! This can now become a family project in which you learn and celebrate once you can show off your new skills.
Family game night
There’s nothing like a good old family game night. But, besides playing card games and Jenga, how about taking it to the next level?
Add physical exercise to game night by creating your own ‘field day”. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming, either. Think ring toss, throwing a frisbee around, cornhole, sack races – the options are endless.
Bring out the competitive spirit in all of you and have a blast together while caring for your physical and mental health. This will surely become one of those valuable core memories.