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Get moving for just a few minutes, any way you want! 

Movement makes us feel good and it’s good for us. In fact, regular physical activity has been proven to help reduce anxiety and depression in young people (and adults too!). But how do you get everyone in the family motivated when vegging out on the couch sounds soooo nice? 

Bend Coach Nathan Armstrong is here to tell us about his go-to 10-minute mood booster: 

Ready to tap into Nathan’s advice? Here are a few more ways to get everyone moving: 

• Play freeze dance. Ready to get out that pent up energy? Put on your child or teen’s favorite songs and encourage everyone to move their bodies and “freeze” whenever the music stops. Or ask your teen to show off their carefully curated playlist for a dance party. 
• Go on a sensory scavenger hunt. Take a walk outside and try out a sensory scavenger hunt. Look for objects that are a particular shape or color. Then ask your child to name one thing they hear, one thing they see, one thing they smell, and one thing they can feel with their bodies. Did you know that getting out in nature is a HUGE mood lifter? 
• Try new things as a family. Not everyone loves playing team sports or going on hikes. Maybe a hip hop dance class could be fun? Or gardening? Take opportunities to get curious about what your child enjoys doing and don’t be afraid to step outside of the box!