Homeschooling? Don’t Skip PE

At Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care we know that many of our families are currently home together riding out the coronavirus and students are doing their schoolwork via distance learning. This is a big adjustment for everyone but one way to add some healthy fun is by scheduling your own gym class each day. Exercise has always had many benefits to your feet and the rest of the body. In the current situation, however, you can add fun and stress relief to all the usual helpful effects like maintaining a healthy weight and reducing your risk of disease.

Get the Ball Rolling

The specific activities you do will depend on the age and number of your children as well as the space you have available. Getting some fresh air is always a good idea! Here are some suggestions for outdoor fun:

• If your family members are big football, soccer or baseball fans, design a skills contest that allows kids to show off their favorite sports moves. Try a Home Run Derby, Soccer Shootout or Longest Punt Contest.
• Create your own fitness circuit. Set up different stations around the yard—jumping jacks, long jump, sit ups, chin ups on the swing set, etc. Have each family member start at a different station and end when everyone has completed all stops on the circuit.

Your Home Gym

When outdoors isn’t an option, it doesn’t mean gym class is cancelled!

• Put on some lively music and have a freeze dance party. Let kids take turns controlling the music and everyone dance it out until the music stops; then freeze and start again.
• Screen shot. Instead of sitting in front of a screen use it to connect to an exercise site and download different types of fitness classes and routines.
• Have a clean-a-thon. With everyone home there’s a good chance things are getting messy. Set the timer and see who can put away the most items or get their room the cleanest before it goes off. Mom or Dad are the judge!

If any of your fun fitness activities cause one of your family members to experience foot or ankle pain, be sure to contact our Edison (732-204-6630), Monroe (732-204-6802) or Monmouth Junction (732-204-6945) offices to see what our podiatrists, Dr. Varun Gujral and Dr. Nrupa Shah, recommend. Stay safe everyone!