This might be the most important newsletter I’ve ever written, so I want to keep today’s quick thought nice and short:
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa
You can make a much bigger impact in this world than you realize.
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How to change your kid’s future today
Pack your gym bag.
We know that our kids don’t listen to a darn thing that mom and dad tell them to do.
But, you’re lying to yourself if you think you have no influence over who they grow up to be.
Our kids are always watching us. It’s much more obvious at the toddler stage that my daughter is in right now. She stares at mom like a hawk when mom is getting her purse together and talking on the phone. Then, she picks up her Ada Twist crossbody bag, puts her Doc McStuffins phone to her ear, and starts chatting it up with her cousin JJ. She wants to be just like mom.
But, the observation doesn’t stop when the immediate mimicking does. Your teens/pre-teens are still taking in everything you do and learning how to navigate this crazy world.
We adopt habits from our parents- both good and bad. If you take some time to think about it, I’m sure you’ll realize you ended up acting more like your mom and dad than you ever imagined.
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How does this copycat behavior play out with exercise?
If one parent is physically active, your kid is 2 to 3.5x more likely to be physically active.
If both parents are physically active, your kid is 5.8x more likely to be physically active.
Lack of physical activity is the 4th leading risk factor for mortality in the world. Being physically active helps you live longer.
Even more importantly, exercise helps you live better. It helps you have more energy, function better in your day to day life, and have less pain.
Most importantly, though, is the power that exercise has on mental health.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in teenagers. It absolutely breaks my heart to know that kids are choosing death so frequently. It’s well documented that exercise can have an incredible impact on improving anxiety and depression. (I’d also highly recommend not ripping into your kid for striking out in their 12 year old travel ball tournament if you’re looking to improve mental health.)
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So, think about the life that you want your kids to live out in the future.
Do you want them exercising regularly, managing their stress levels, and focusing on things that bring them joy?
The best way to make that a reality for your kids in the future, is to go live that life right now yourself.
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Best,
Zach
Dr. Zach Guiser, PT, DPT, CSCS