Get Your Family Moving Together

June is here! Let’s move, jump and cheer!

June is in full bloom! Let’s swim like a fish in the sea, let’s fly like a buzzing bumble bee! Let’s flap like a bird as fast as you can go, let’s crawl like a tortoise and move real slow! Using your imagination while moving your body can not only improve your physical well being, but also your mental health.

This fun exercise is not only fun for the kiddos but also a bit challenging for the adults. The entire family will be working their mind and body together!

Start in a circle, everyone in the family facing each other. The youngest person in the family performs one exercise. Example: A jumping jack. Everyone in the circle repeats that exercise. The second youngest person in the circle adds on another exercise. Example: Hop like a Kangaroo. Now repeat the 2 exercises in that order. The third youngest person in the family adds onto the 2 exercises. Example: Turn in circle. All together repeat the three exercises, keeping the same order.  Add on an exercise until everyone in the family has had  a turn. The bigger the family, the more exercises you will have to remember. You can continue to add on exercises as long as you would like. Creating fun rhymes can help your mind and body remember what exercise comes next. Be creative and challenge yourselves! Test your family members and see how far you can go until someone forgets!

After this family challenge, grab a healthy food that will keep your memory healthy. These foods have antioxidants that are rich in Vitamin E which will help protect the neurons and nerve cells in your brain.

1. Blueberries
2. Dark green veggies
3. Oil-based salad dressings
4. Sunflower seeds
5. Fish
6. Avocado

Alison Cardoza, B.S. Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer at Milestone Wellness Center