This holiday season, instead of giving your grandchildren a toy that they’ll most likely forget about or grow out of in a few months, why not give them something that keeps on giving? A gift certificate to a gymnastics training center is an excellent way to let them get some exercise and release any pent-up energy they might be experiencing over the winter. This guide will elaborate on how this will benefit their mental and physical well-being.

Prevents the Winter Blues

Adults are not the only ones who are affected by shorter days and longer nights. Seasonal affective disorder — SAD — a form of depression known to appear in the winter, does not overlook children. It can cause them to experience mood changes, loss of interest in enjoyable hobbies, fatigue, changes in sleep or eating behaviors, difficulty concentrating, and less time socializing with friends. Kids typically won’t verbalize these symptoms, but you can spot the winter blues when there is an increase in lethargy, irritability, or suffering school performance.

Fortunately, daily exercise has been shown to be one of the best ways to combat SAD. Enrolling them in gymnastics provides a needed boost in physical activity and social connections to balance the hormones, serotonin, and melatonin — which are most affected by light and regulate sleep and mood.

Maintains a Healthy Physique

Kids need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each day, but many do not receive this amount during the winter. This is problematic as this season is also packed with several meal-focused and candy-giving holidays. Signing them up for gymnastics provides them with an opportunity to burn energy in a comfortable indoor location. It also helps to stave off sleeping and behavioral issues related to not getting enough exercise. Hopefully, the classes will also instill a lifelong appreciation for staying active, as it’s been shown to help lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and other serious health complications.

It’s never too early to teach your grandchildren the benefits of regular exercise. At The Gymnastics Training Center of Rochester, they offer ongoing enrollment in their gymnastics and tumbling classes for all ages. Their 22,000-square-foot center in Penfield, NY, is complete with the most advanced technologically advanced equipment available. To learn more about their preschool and after-school programs, visit their website and call them today at (585) 388-8686.