January 6 - Brrrr....It's Cold Out There - But That's a Good Thing

There is evidence to suggest that taking a walk outside in the cold can make you burn more calories. Your body has to work harder to keep itself warm.

And not to worry, you cannot catch a cold from being out in the cold. There is tons of research and studies that have been done to squash that old wives tale.

And the benefits for our children to spend time outside, even in the colder months, are vast.

The average child today spends only four to seven minutes outdoors each day, while logging more than seven hours in front of electronic media like TV, video games and computers. The National Wildlife Federation recently launched the "Be Out There" campaign (www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Be-Out-There.aspx) to educate parents and children on why getting outdoors is so important.

What good comes from being outdoors? According to the Be Out There campaign, there are many important benefits:

1. Stronger bones and lower cancer risk: Exposure to the sun prevents Vitamin D deficiency (just don't overdo it);

2. Trimmer and healthier kids: Just one daily hour of outdoor play helps ward off childhood obesity and diabetes;

3. Improved eyesight: Eyes that focus on the wide world, not just the close-up screen, have less nearsightedness and need for eyeglasses;

4. Less depression and hyperactivity: Natural settings, even tree-lined streets, are soothing for kids;

5. Longer attention spans: Choppy TV shows and video games all produce less patience and shorter attention spans;

6. Better at making friends: Children who play together outdoors learn to deal directly with one another and improve their "people" skills;

7. More creative: Unstructured outdoor play fosters creativity and use of imagination;

8. Less "acting out" at home and school: Getting kids away from TV and video games helps them see that aggression doesn't always solve problems in the real world;

9. Measurably better grades in school: A healthy body and mind produces better results in school;

10. A longer lifespan and healthier adult life: Doctors estimate that sedentary and obese kids lose three to five years from their life expectancy.

So bundle them up and send them out to play. And better yet, bundle up with them and go outside to play with them.