Tag: family health

Camp Quality Christmas Fundraiser

Camp Quality Christmas Fundraiser

Help Me Help Some Kids

christmas kidsSome days, life can get pretty hectic and stressful, especially at this time of year! Often, the simplest way to get out of that state of overwhelm is to do something nice for someone else.

Please help me to support Camp Quality this Christmas by donating $10 via my Everyday Hero fundraiser page.

Your generosity will be truly appreciated.

 

https://give.everydayhero.com/au/5minfit-kidschristmas

About Camp Quality

Camp Quality’s purpose is to create a better life for every child living with cancer in Australia.

The services they provide for children (0-13 years) living with cancer and their families help create a better life by building optimism and resilience throughout each stage of their cancer journey.

Right from diagnosis, throughout treatment and in remission or bereavement, their programs support the whole family; at hospital, at home, back at school and away from it all.

This means they support the mums, dads and siblings of kids with cancer too; research shows that cancer has a huge impact on them and they often feel neglected by support that focuses solely on the child with cancer. This makes Camp Quality’s inclusion of these family members across the programs unique, essential and urgent - so they can quickly form a solid support network around their brother / sister or son / daughter with cancer.

https://give.everydayhero.com/au/5minfit-kidschristmas

camp quality

My Story

I spend my time helping people to be in the best possible health and fitness for them. Having an auto immune illness means I have some lifestyle limitations. However, it also allows greater perspective. I'm grateful for the ability to choose my level of health and fitness. Some don't have that choice.

I’ve experienced what it’s like to sit beside a hospital bed in a cancer ward as a 20-something loved one endured rounds of chemo and multiple surgeries. Staying awake all night while he dealt with the pain of drug reactions, and rushing to the emergency department late at night due to complications from surgery…it’s heartbreaking. I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like for a child to experience.

My hope is to bring some support and joy to kids who aren't afforded the luxury of choice when it comes to their health.

https://give.everydayhero.com/au/5minfit-kidschristmas

christmas bowBe Rewarded for Your Contribution

To show my appreciation of your contribution, I will provide my services to the value of whatever money is raised to one random person who donates. (Make sure to select to notify me of your contact details when you contribute.)

Your $10 donation can make a difference!

Thank you for supporting my Camp Quality fundraiser and helping me help the kids and their families this Christmas!
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aussie-parenting-1-600x313

everyday hero

Featured image from Babyology

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Exercising as a family makes you healthier

Exercising as a family makes you healthier

family going to beachExercise together for better health

Electronic gaming is increasing as a way for families to ‘chill out’ together. While it’s great to spend time together as a family, don’t forget the importance of being active together either.

Why physical activity?

Lack of physical activity is one of the leading risk factors for death worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO)[i].

 

WHO states regular physical activity will:

  • help maintain a healthy weight
  • improve cardiovascular fitness
  • improve muscular strength
  • aid bone health
  • reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (including heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure)
  • reduce the risk of developing some cancers
  • reduce the risk of depression.

Kids who exercise regularly can also enjoy these extra benefits[ii] [iii]:

  • an increased ability to learn
  • improved short-term memory, reaction times and creativity
  • increased cognitive development
  • reduced stress
  • improved strength, flexibility and endurance
  • better able to handle physical and emotional challenges of growing up
  • better sleep
  • improved confidence.

How much activity?

snow kidsPhysical activity shouldn’t be confused with structured exercise.

Current recommendations for physical activity are [iv]:

  • at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity activity daily for children 5-17 years of age
  • 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity weekly for adults 18-64 years of age.

According to Active Health Kids Australia, only 19 per cent of Australian children aged 5-17 years are getting enough physical activity, with 71 per cent of kids in this age bracket exceeding more than the recommended two hours of screen time per day. [v]

It’s clear that our children need to get away from the screens and off the couch!

Exercise as a family

water tube ridingExercising as a family is not only fun (and often inexpensive), but it’s an important way to show your children what a healthy lifestyle is.

Exercising together will help your children establish good exercise habits as well as provide an opportunity to learn the importance of regular exercise and good nutritional habits.

Some great ideas to be active as a family include:

  • At the park — throw a Frisbee, fly a kite, walk the dog, kick a ball, ride your bike, use the playground.
  • At home — plant a garden, paint a fence, sweep a patio, dance in the living room, jump rope, rake leaves.
  • At the beach — play cricket or volleyball, walk along the beach, go for a swim, go sailing.
  • In the snow — build a snowman, toboggan or ski, have a snowball fight, go ice-skating.
  • Out and about — go hiking, participate in a fun run, ride your bikes, go bowling, abseil, kayak, go rock climbing, talk a walking tour of your city.
  • Take a class — take up dancing, learn how to play tennis, take up karate or swimming lessons.

Of course, the activities above are only a guide. Choose something you’d all like to do and give it a go. Perhaps you could set aside a regular time to be active together and take turns in choosing the activity.

Whatever you do however, make a commitment to get your family off the couch and into exercise!

Mountain Biking - two Girls on a steep Descent

little girl smiling

References:

[i] World Health Organisation, Physical activity, Last update January 2014; accessed 1 July 2015 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs385/en/

[ii] Raise Smart Kid, The Benfits of Exercise on Your Kid’s Brain, published not specified; accessed 1 July 2015 http://www.raisesmartkid.com/3-to-6-years-old/4-articles/35-the-benefits-of-exercise-on-your-kids-brain

[iii] Kids Health, Kids and Exercise, last reviewed February 2012; accessed 1 July 2015 http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/staying_fit/exercise.html

[iv] World Health Organisation, Physical activity, Last update January 2014; accessed 1 July 2015 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs385/en/

[v] Active Health Kids Australia, Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Young People, published 20 May, 2014; accessed 1 July 2014 http://www.activehealthykidsaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ahka_reportcard_shortform_web.pdf