Fun Sports and Activities to Stay Fit For Moms
Motherhood typically involves various responsibilities. If you’re a mom, you’re probably familiar with thinking you always have to prioritize others’ needs. But you must remember that your needs, including your well-being, are important too.Staying active as a mom helps you stay fit and even improves your ability to meet the demands of motherhood.
Benefits of Staying Active
Staying active is more than just working up a sweat. Engaging in physical activities offers many benefits to moms and the little ones that depend on and look up to them. From improving your fitness to helping you find meaningful connections, the benefits of staying active can affect various parts of your life:
Improve Physical Health
Regular exercise can increase mobility, muscle strength, and flexibility. These allow you to keep up with both your busy schedule and active little ones. Also, maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps reduce the risk of more serious health conditions, from cardiovascular diseases to diabetes.
Find Social Connections
Aside from improving physical health, finding an activity you have fun doing also provides an opportunity to socialize with like-minded individuals. You can even find your circle of moms who enjoy the same activities. Having a support system with whom you can work out and share stories can be a good outlet for any mom. Plus, it also helps to have a friendly chat to look forward to at the end of a workout session.
Relieve Stress
Have you experienced that feeling of your mood improving as you finish your laps around the pool or your brisk walk around the park? That’s one of the many benefits of staying active. Studies show that regular exercise can manage your stress better. Physical activities can release endorphins or the “happy hormones.”
Working out can also promote better sleep. Your sleep routine will suffer if you’re irritable, stressed, mildly anxious, or all of the above. Exercising outdoors can help improve the quality of your sleep by establishing a good sleep-wake cycle. Staying active will also relax your body and mind to minimize tossing, turning, and sleep disruptions.
Fun Sports and Physical Activities for Moms
As you can see, the advantages of staying active are limitless. Ready to stay physical? Here are some fun activities you can try by yourself, with a group, or with your family.
Group Activities
Group classes are a fun way to stay active and socialize. When working out with a group, you can cheer each other on as you go through a particularly difficult part of the workout. You can check your local gym or studios for a class that best fits your fitness level and schedule. Examples of popular classes include:
- Indoor Cycling
- Yoga or Pilates
- Team Sports (Volleyball, Soccer, etc.)
Individual Sports
If you prefer working out alone, there are plenty of options you can choose. Working out by yourself can be therapeutic and let you enjoy your own company while staying active. Here are some individual exercises you can try:
- Swimming
- Jogging
- Golf
Family-Friendly Fitness Activities
You can turn physical activity into a family bonding session, too. Get the whole family involved by trying out family-friendly activities that both adults and kids can enjoy. From hiking an easy trail to learning a new dance together, these activities can be fun and help the family stay active:
- Walking or Hiking
- Dancing
- Biking
Reminder: Stay Safe!
It’s essential to keep safety as a top priority in whatever you do, including when working out. You’re exercising to take care of your body, not injure it.
Don’t Skip Warm-Ups and Cool Downs
Warm-up and cool-down routines are just as important as the exercise itself. If you want to enjoy the benefits of your workout fully, you need to incorporate these two at the beginning and end of your session.
Before starting any physical activity, you should complete your warm-up routine. Your warm-up can look different for every exercise you plan on doing. But these should include gentle movements and stretches to get your heart rate going and warm up various muscle groups.
After your workout, it’s time to do your cool-down set. Cooling down allows your body to return to its resting state and prevents you from feeling dizzy.
Consult with Your Doctor
If you plan on trying out a new activity or sport, it’s best to consult your doctor. This is especially crucial if you have any pre-existing health conditions. A healthcare professional can assess your overall health and clear you for suitable physical activities. They can also provide guidance on preventative care and pain management (e.g., medical cannabis, ibuprofen, etc.).
Wear the Right Gear and Use the Proper Equipment
Not wearing the appropriate sporting gear can affect your performance or, worse, cause injuries. For example, if you’re going out golfing, make sure to wear proper golf attire that will keep you comfortable as you walk around the course and help you fully enjoy the sport. And if you’re planning on hiking with the family, remember to pick out the most suitable footwear and bring hiking essentials like sun protection, water, and even a walking stick.
Seek Medical Attention When Needed
Even when you’re careful, you’re not entirely safe from the risks. The important thing is to listen to your body. Know when your body needs to rest. And when you do feel something out of the ordinary, it’s best to seek medical attention to address it. The earlier you do, the faster you can find ways to heal and return to the saddle (or the court).
Being a mother is one of the most demanding roles out there. Raising a child while caring for yourself can be challenging but essential. You need to find time in your busy schedule to stay active and healthy. When you value and take care of yourself, you’re in a better place to be there for the people you love.
By Chatty Garrate
Chatty is a freelance writer from Manila. She finds joy in inspiring and educating others through writing. That’s why aside from her job as a language evaluator for local and international students, she spends her leisure time writing about various topics such as lifestyle, technology, and business.
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