Mahaska Health Partnership Encourages Family Activities

Mahaska Health Partnership

Mahaska Health Partnership

MAHASKA COUNTY – If you spent the majority of the winter months cooped up in the house wishing for warmer weather, you’re not alone. The particularly cold and inclement conditions this winter kept many people from regular exercise. Now that warmer spring weather has arrived, Mahaska Health Partnership encourages you to help the whole family be active.

“The first step in getting your family to be more active is to start with yourself,” Family Practice Physician Dr. Lisa Ruckman shared. “Setting an example for your children helps motivate them to do the same.”

Dr. Ruckman suggests starting small. “Switching gears from being inside all winter to outdoor play can be fun and exciting. Use the newness to introduce a new family-centered activity that has an element of exercise.”

For young kids, Dr. Ruckman suggests simple and active games such as hide and go seek or tag. For school-aged children, classes or teams like little league are good structured activities. Then for teens, limiting screen time is a good way to encourage activity. Planning day trips such as a trail hike or taking a class are great ways to not only get teens active, but allow you to spend quality time as a family.

“The most important thing you can do as a parent is to help your children find activities they love to do and encourage them along the way,” said Dr. Ruckman. “If they develop hobbies or find a sport they love to participate in, children will be more likely to stay involved and active throughout their lives.”

Dr. Lisa Ruckman is a Family Practice Physician also delivering babies at Mahaska Health Partnership in Oskaloosa. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ruckman, call 641.672.3360.

Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit www.mahaskahealth.org.

Posted by on Apr 14 2014. Filed under Lifestyle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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