At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we know that staying home is the best way for our Douglas Park/Los Angeles County area patients to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but it can also cause everyone in your family to get a case of cabin fever. One way to break the boredom and do something good for yourselves is by enjoying some sports and fitness activities together. Exercise has many benefits for parents and children:
- Helps burn calories to maintain a healthy weight
- Plays a role in preventing many diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis
- Improves sleep quality
- Decreases stress and improves mood
Who can’t get behind all of those right now?! Who knows, you may find new ways to enjoy family time and stay fit that you’ll want to continue after the coronavirus is long gone.
Start with the Basics
A good exercise program will start out slowly and gradually build in intensity and duration. Other tips before you begin:
- Make sure everyone has the proper footwear. Shoes that fit properly and are designed for fitness activities are a must.
- Get the green light on previous foot problems. If you or someone in your family suffers from a chronic foot condition such as heel pain or a weak ankle, contact our Long Beach office by calling, (562) 420-9800. Our podiatrists, Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas may want to discuss the best types of exercise to prevent your condition from worsening and any special accommodations you should make.
- Warm-up and stretch at the beginning of your activity session and end with a cool down to prevent injuries.
Explore New Activities
Get the whole family involved in choosing what types of activities you’ll do. Have everyone write down something they want to try (yoga, biking, etc.) using gear you already own. Put them in a basket and draw one out at a time and try them out.
Stuck indoors? Go online for fitness classes, learn about training with weights (use canned goods if you don’t have enough weights) or create an indoor exercise circuit.
Most importantly, have fun and stay safe! If you have questions about fitness and your feet, don’t hesitate to contact us.
