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Games & Activities to Renew Yourself

By giving your body the exercise it needs, you stay physically and mentally agile and lower your risk of diseases. For instance, you are less vulnerable to colon cancer with regular physical activity, according to the Prevent Cancer Foundation website, reducing the risk of affliction by 50 percent. If you have been hiding behind excuses such as weather conditions, lack of facilities and a general apathy toward exercise, it's time to come out and work for your healthy future.

  1. Get Physical

    • Become physically active. Activities that keep you on your toes make you feel good and energized, and you're more likely to stay active and positive the rest of the day. Start your day with a brisk walk or jog early in the morning. Keep the action alive by biking or walking to your office, if possible. Park your car at a spot far away from your workplace so that you walk or run, depending on your urgency, to your car. Climbing stairs is a classic physical activity that you can do at your workplace. Use coffee and lunch breaks for stretching and taking a short walk or run. Get your evening exercise by taking your dog for a walk and playing with him.

    Indulge in Group Activities

    • Make your family your exercise companions. Go biking with your children or water your garden with your spouse. This way, you exercise your body and share valuable moments with your family, too, which promotes a positive feeling. You could also exercise with your neighbors or join a health club in your community; being around active people motivates you into action. Plan a hike, or other outdoor activities that interest you, with your friends and family. Learn new skills to challenge your mind, as well as your body; join a cooking class or take dance lessons.

    Play Group Games

    • Form groups with your friends, family or neighbors, and play energizing games. Organize a traditional sporting match, like baseball, or try a basic ball game. Use a volleyball or a football, if it is soft, for each group. The group must keep the ball in the air; it cannot touch the ground. Use hands, legs, head or any part of your anatomy to hit the ball and prevent it from touching the ground. No player in the group should hit the ball twice in a row, though. The group that manages to outlast other groups by adhering to the game rules is the winner. Visit the Resident Assistant website (see Resources) for more energizing games.

    Some Tips

    • You need to put in hard work and stay committed to the goal of renewing yourself. Dedicate at least three half-hour sessions a day, if possible, to physical activities; use two sessions for activities with your family. For example, you could go for a morning walk with your spouse and play with kids in the park in the evening. Opt for activities that do not require heavy equipment or special skills, such as walking, jogging or biking. And, if the weather is interrupting you, indulge in fun indoor activities such as rope games, swimming or dancing.

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