As children of the 20th and 21st century, we are fortunate to live among a plethora of creature comforts, not absorbed by the need to hunt down our next meal or work our fingers to the bone tending crops. But civilization, with all of its advances, has not supplanted mankind’s need for physical prowess, endurance and fitness. Although modern mechanization increasingly lessens the need for the brute force of the past, the benefits of fitness continue to be just as important now as when foraging for food was the work of the day. And developing an active lifestyle while young seems to yield natural benefits all through life.
In the days of crude living, no one needed to consciously think about fitness; it was evident that “survival of the fittest” was the ruling concept for the era. Occupational success (blacksmith, farmer, rancher, homemaker) and fitness went hand in hand. In our present culture, surrounded by so many mechanized advancements, one might wonder exactly what the assets of “the fittest” are. Increased vitality, more youthful appearance, and longevity are just a few of the obvious benefits. One of the hottest health elixirs of the 1990’s was human growth hormone (HGH). Its popularity and marketability came from its supposed ability to do everything from building muscle and shaving fat to lowering cholesterol. There seems to be a pill or cream for every ailment or bodily malfunction and yet it is becoming increasingly clear that “success in a bottle” may be a myth. Media releases announcing the unintended side effects of yesterday’s wonder drugs should cause pause. It is simply more advantageous to be naturally healthy and fit.
Gyms, weight loss clinics, health clubs and nutrition centers dot the strip malls and shopping plazas in our communities. We have evolved into a people who have created a need to artificially “work off” all of the excesses that civilization has brought us. We take our car to Jiffy Lube to have the oil changed and hire a lawn care service to keep our property well trimmed and then run to the gym to “get in shape”. Is it a wonder that our children need carted to special sports activities when their spare time is spent “exercising” their fingertips on a PSP (PlayStation) or Xbox? So often we hear, “you know, if you’ve got your health, you’ve got everything”. The trouble it seems is that today’s adult is trying to buy the good health and fitness that used to come from the rigors of daily life. The child whose life is filled with active play will grow into an adult that benefits naturally from an active mindset.
Hau Liu, a research fellow in endocrinology at Stanford, says “… if you want to increase your chances of living a long and productive life, you should do the things that your moms and doctors always told you: Eat right, exercise often, get enough sleep, and don't smoke." If we instill all of these habits in our children from the start, starting with a naturally active play environment, then this could be the best gift we ever give them.
-------------------------------Check out DurableToys.com for a large selection of active play toys.
No comments:
Post a Comment