Hakuna matata: how exercise creates healthier, happier families
Protect your family’s mental health by making regular exercise part of your circle of life.
"Hakuna matata, what a wonderful phrase. It’s means no worries for the rest of your days". Families all over the country will be singing the famous song once again as Disney’s brand new The Lion King hits cinemas in 3D.
Did you know that by doing regular exercise, you can protect your family’s mental health? Vitality and Disney celebrate healthy, happy families - and what better way to find joy (and no worries) than exercising and having fun as a family?
The benefits of exercise on our minds
The Lancet 1 analysed over a million people for its study on the link between exercise and mental health, and found that those who exercised regularly had 1.49 (43.2%) fewer days of poor mental health a month than those who did not participate in physical activities.
All types of exercise were associated with a lower mental health burden than simply not exercising. The following workouts had a significant impact:
- Popular team sports
- Cycling
- Aerobic and gym activities
- Workouts of 45 minutes three to five times a week
Fun workouts to do together as a family
Any type of regular physical activity will improve your overall health and fitness – and boost your mental health as well. Experts recommend that adults should exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, five times a week. That’s 150 minutes of moderate intensity a week.
And since kids should be active for at least an hour a day, it’s a great idea to get moving together. There are so many fun ways to exercise together as a family, especially in our warm African winter sun. You can:
- Take the dog for a walk.
- Do a parkrun or myrun.
- Go cycling together.
- Go to the gym together.orkouts of 45 minutes three to five times a week
- Play active games on Xbox or apps like tennis, dancing, etc.
- Make a game out of doing chores around the house.
- Have a skipping, tug-of-war or hide-and-seek tournament at home.
- Climb a tree and build a tree house.
- Play freely in the garden.
- And so much more!
The most important thing is to show your kids how fun it is to be active and healthy. Cast your worries to the wind this winter; exercise until everyone is singing: "Hakuna matata!"
Your chance to win the lion’s share of R25 000 with Vitality and Disney’s The Lion King.
Click here to see how you can get your family moving more and stand a chance to win. Catch the all new Disney’s The Lion King, now in cinemas nationwide in 3D.